So, I have a friend that I introduced to the blogging world and she has been doing great. She had a front page blog the other day and I submitted another for review. They approved with one request...they wished to remove the last paragraph of the blog because they felt it "might be taken the wrong way". The irony in this? It was a blog about no longer censoring herself on Facebook.
She is outspoken about breastfeeding, carseat safety, cloth diapering, and a few other things. She was discussing how she was tired of a few of her friends always having something negative to say and she wanted them to know that while she respected their opinions, she would appreciate them respecting hers. If they no longer cared to interact with her, just to please let her know because she was no longer going to censor her words.
Now, the editors thought enough of her blog to accept it for front page status, but they desire to censor her by editing out the phrase "if you don't like it, well screw you" thinking that this might turn some readers off. I say fuck that. If the blog was good enough to be accepted, it should stand as written. I realize this blog will not be front page material because I dropped the F bomb. I am okay with that. But the phrase "screw you" is too offensive for the front page? Seriously?
I have been here for far longer than I care to mention and trust me, that phrase is one of the least offensive things I have read as of late. I can recall a time that the front page was filled with great post about all kinds of interesting topics. When things changed hands, it was suddenly all about what celebrity was using this baby bag and other such nonsense. Finally things seem to be coming back (albeit slowly) to the momaroo I remember from my start here, but this is just silly.
We are adults (mostly) here and can handle some "rough" language. Most of us are parents and have probably, if not uttered, thought that exact phrase at least once in our life. I don't expect to see curse words on the front page as I can see how that might be offensive to some, but "screw you"? Yeah, not so much.
The blog was well written and should stand on its own. Editing out what you personally deem offensive strikes me as a little too much Big Brother watching. I guess we will see how this plays out when the blog appears.
Comments (3)
I agree. It's ridiculous. I read her blog, nothing offensive about it.
@comet555@xanga - Thank you!! Just a tad frustrating when I'm going back and forth with the editor about that one phrase. It will be left alone, thank God.