Outside Looking In

The Devil’s Advocate

I’m newish, but was on a roll, until the last couple of days. I’ve been distracted and frustrated by the Kel Campbell issue. But not in the way you might think. I’ve been bothered because I saw both versions of the post in question, and I’m on the outside looking in.

Frankly, I was still trying to figure out what I thought of her when she left. I found her articulate and funny, but also a little…oh, I don’t know, brash is the word that keeps coming to mind, but that’s more negative than I’m meaning. But because, in my short time here, I’ve become such a big fan of so many of you, her stuff showed up in my feed.

Here’s what it looked (and felt) like from outside looking in. Very outspoken woman (with MANY followers) makes post about a very controversial subject. Woman gets trolled on the internet. Man writes parody about a very controversial subject. Medium decides it’s a parody, but because they are running a business and must remain impartial, chooses not to discuss it until elizabeth tobey’s post today.

In the meantime, (again, newbie perspective), without giving it even a moment to blow over/get resolved, woman CHOOSES to leave without saying goodbye. No explanation for the cause of her sudden flight or clarification of the plagiarism issue to many (if any) of you. You’re all pouring your hearts out, and she’s just gone.

I’m on here looking for the beautiful poems and heartfelt stories and brutally honest essays I’ve already grown so addicted to, but instead I’m flooded with odes to Kel. Brilliant writers are leaving, or talking about leaving, because the community is no longer safe. People are deleting their work. And she’s just gone, without a word to her friends (you can call yourselves followers if you want, but…)On the outside looking in, it kind of pissed me off. For you. Sorry.

And then the lists started. The, she’s-gone-but-at-least-we’ve-still-got-so-and-so lists. While I tended to agree with your choices, the lists were in no way complete (yes, I know you all wrote, and meant, something to the effect of, “and so many others”). But, I felt like people were being left out, and it bugged me a little. For them. Sorry.

So, thanks to all of you who stayed, who are brave enough to keep sharing your work. Glad that’s off my chest. Let the chips fall where they may.