Yesterday I hinted about having an
opinion article I wrote get published in my hometown newspaper. It was my first time so I’m still feeling a little
jazzed about the experience, much like when I turned 16 and got my driver’s
license.
Or like the time I turned 21 and was
now able to legally enter a bar and order a beer. I realize in other states, this opportunity
comes sooner but in my world, 21 was and still is the magic number.
Since what I wrote can best be
described as not being politically-correct, I received a dozen e-mails from
those who took it upon themselves to tell me what they thought. Being the analytical person I am, it was
necessary for me to classify my “fan e-mail” into some groups.
The first group included six e-mails
giving me two-thumbs up. They were the fun ones to read. I stewed in my juices and basked in my
sunshine reading them.
The second group included two e-mails
with a neutral message, neither telling me I was great or calling me a bigoted
turd. I enjoyed reading these e-mails
also because they were polite albeit somewhat ho hum.
The final group included four e-mails
giving me a two-thumbs down and that’s saying it lightly. Some would describe this group as hate e-mail. I must give the people who sent me these
e-mails credit, they sure knew how to tell me what they thought about what I
wrote. I also found them to be masters of inference, accusing me of saying things I didn’t say and, therefore, concluding
I was a certain (un)kind of person.
To all who took the time to send me
an e-mail, I responded with a courteous and polite reply. This was harder to do for the final group but
I did it. My being courteous and polite
gave me a payback because I received two follow-up e-mails from people
apologizing for having judged me. Yet
they remained somewhat guarded and steadfast with opinions far different than
mine.
My days later take on this experience
is how it’s much easier to be a politically-correct messenger. You’ll get abundant kudos from those who read
or listen to your message. There’s something
I enjoy, however, being the other guy calling it like I see it, even if my
message will not be well-received.
That’s exactly what I did.
Yet with this not politically-correct
other guy status comes a real possibility that a sucker punch or pie in my face
may be on its way.
Pax Domini sit semper
vobiscum
No comments:
Post a Comment