Writers Shouldn’t Be Expected to Flee Platforms Because of Hate Speech

Your tips are greatly appreciated! Upgrade at 30% offEvery writer has to make a decision on how much hostility they’re willing to endure when it comes to where their work is published. You don’t want to lend credibility to bad platforms, but you also don’t want to allow dangerous propaganda to go uncontested.This is a topic that I have spent a lot of time contemplating, and I still haven’t been able to find a satisfactory answer.In a perfect world, I would prefer to only write on platforms that had zero tolerance for hate speech. However, we don’t live in a perfect world.We’re not even close.You’re never completely safe from hateWe have to wrestle with the question of how to respond when we encounter hate speech. The issue is complicated because hate speech has many forms. When you encounter hate speech in comments or direct messages, the easiest thing to do is erase the comment and block/report the user.But even that action is not without complications. I’ve had writers track me down on other platforms and accuse me of “censorship.” Usually I don’t dignify that accusation with a response and I simply block them on the new platform as well.Perpetrators of hate speech regularly demand considerations for themselves that they don’t extend to others.Writers must never forget that they have an obligation to protect their followers. This puts you between Scylla and Charybdis. Moderation and censorship are not the same, but people who spread hate speech aren’t known for their rational arguments.Terms of serviceThere is also the question of what responsibilities platforms have to moderate hate speech. There are legal obligations that are provided in the terms of service, but even those boundaries are regularly challenged.Neither readers nor writers are likely to abandon a platform because of hateful comments. There are a lot of ignorant people in the world. Complete protection from ignorant comments would entail a level of control that would itself become problematic.Restrictions on all offensive language would effectively halt our ability to engage in productive intellectual discourse. Progress is often achieved by exposing the flaws in commonly held beliefs. Although criticism of sacred concepts might be labeled as “offensive,” it is the pathway to achieving a greater understanding of our reality.There is a constant battle between offering enough protection to avoid damage, and providing enough freedom to encourage intellectual advancement.Comments versus contentThe conclusion that I can’t escape is that writers must resign themselves to enduring a certain level of offensive or even hateful language. Accepting that, we move on to the question of where the line must be drawn.Separating comments from content adds another layer of complexity. Where comments could be created by random users who don’t have any affiliation with a platform, featured content does reflect the platform’s sensibilities.I have left platforms because of what I felt was too much tolerance and promotion of hate speech. Sometimes I’ve gone as far as to scrub my account entirely, and in other instances I’ve just stopped logging in.A decision like this shouldn’t be made lightly. At the same time, if you find yourself feeling uncomfortable on a platform that’s not something you can afford to ignore. Neither are you obligated to make your decision rashly.You should always make the determination as to whether you should stay or go based on your own sensibilities and after an appropriate deliberation.Evaluate each instance on its own meritsAs for me, when I’ve made the decision to leave it came with absolute certainty. It wasn’t a matter of fretting and convincing myself to take action. Instead, I saw something I didn’t like, and it was as if a switch flipped in my mind.“I no longer want to be affiliated with this space,” I thought. Then I deleted my account and never looked back.That being said, there are writers I respect who still use the platforms I have left. I don’t begrudge their decision. The decision to leave a platform because of hate speech is a personal one, and we all have different levels of tolerance.People who stay likely have a justification for that decision. They also have the right to change or modify that decision in the future. After all, both platforms and writers are going to evolve. No matter where you go, you have to be mindful of the company you keep.This problem exists in traditional publishing as wellWould a novelist turn down a contract from a major publisher because that publisher also released a book that promoted hate speech? Many writers don’t have the financial stability that allows them to make a decision like that. What if the choice is between getting your work out into the world on a hostile platform versus not releasing it at all?What about the issue of timing? Perhaps a publisher released a book by an unscrupulous individual a decade after they signed you. Does that reflect on you?When decision makers and editorial teams change, you can’t blame the writer. You also can’t blame writers for not knowing everything about the people or places they work. Unscrupulous individuals are very good at hiding their true nature.This conflict isn’t limited to writingWould you feel an obligation to leave a community that began to tolerate hate speech? What about a state? What about the whole country?Does it show greater character to leave a corrupt situation or to stand and fight?Naturally, that question is too broad to expect a simple, universal answer. It’s important to be mindful of the complexities involved in this problem.Some people don’t have the financial resources to move. Some are trapped because of debt or family responsibilities. They might know full well that they’re forced to occupy a toxic community, but they simply lack the means to escape.Perhaps staying to be an ally, even if you have the means to leave, is a completely valid justification.Hate doesn’t just go awayThere comes a point where there’s nowhere left to run. If you flee a country that tolerates hate speech, you might discover that your reprieve is short lived.Hatred tends to spread. In that case, your departure only contributed to allowing the corruption to grow unopposed.There are some individuals who become the focal points of oppression. These are people in vulnerable and marginalized groups who are quickly turned into targets. If you’re facing extreme danger, it makes sense to flee as a matter of survival. But it shouldn’t be assumed that choice is universally appropriate.Some people have the temperament, fortitude, and privilege to be effective if they stay and resist. Some people stay because they don’t have a choice. It’s dangerous to impose simplicity on what is an inherently complex situation.Should you boycott platforms that condone hate speech?To some extent, we are all prisoners of our time. We accept the reality that’s presented to us. As we grow into our power, we become more capable of determining what kind of lives we want to lead.There are many people who base their worldview on severely limited experiences. Sometimes those limitations are self-inflicted. Sometimes they are the consequence of external, malicious forces.We have to give ourselves a certain amount of grace and recognize we are mortal and we possess limited knowledge. The older I get, the more inclined I am to doubt myself. When I discover information that proves I’m wrong, I course correct.If you hear criticisms of a platform, or publisher, or community, you should consider the situation and act accordingly. Sometimes the right choice is to stay. Sometimes the right choice is to leave. The only thing that’s universal is that you must act deliberately.There is absolutely no protection in denial. Always remember that sticking your head in the sand leaves your whole body exposed.You all make this newsletter happen! Thanks for your sponsorship! I have payment tiers starting at as little as twenty dollars a year.Upgrade at 30% offUpgrade at 40% offUpgrade at 50% offUpgrade at 60% offI'm so happy you're here, and I'm looking forward to sharing more thoughts with you tomorrow.My CoSchedule referral linkHere’s my referral link to my preferred headline analyzer tool. If you sign up through this, it’s another way to support this newsletter (thank you).I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe