My Work: Identity and Control























Brianna J said...

Well - I've edited some things (not a newspaper, but still) and I could see how you missing the deadline, even by only a few hours, could really annoy them. Still they could just run it the next week. And since they had someone else lined up for it anyway, it sounds to me they are offended by/scared of/generally don't like your work. But since you've been there longer than them, they're afraid to tell you they don't want you to write anymore. Especially since you're popular iwth the students. So they're looking for excuses to not run the columns. There was nothing too 'blunt' about that column you posted! It looked to me just like any other sex column that I've seen.

I'm curious - what do you mean by a 'sex-negative' column? I thought that encouraging people to have sex was the whole point of a sex column.

It sounds like the new editors are just jerks.

Paradox said...

By sex negative I mean columns discouraging public displays of affection (especially for "unattractive people") or about how nobody wants to see old people talking about sex (in response to Sue Johanson, who is my hero) and dildos are scary. Among other things. Sigh.

I totally understand why they're pissed about the deadlines, and if they don't like my writing that's their opinion and they're entitled. They are the editors. I just wish they'd have the eggs to bring it up as that instead of beating around the bush. So to speak.

Britni TheVadgeWig said...

I think that you have every right to be upset and frustrated. You worked really hard to build this column and you put your heart and soul into your writing. As someone who has worked in sex education, I know how frustrating it can be to see so much negativity about sex out there. And when it's being run in a public forum like that, it just reinforces stereotypes and the shame that surrounds sex in this society.

And those things that you mentioned that they were writing about are horrifying.

Paradox said...

It is pretty horrifying, but I'm trying to have one of those "accept the things I cannot change" moments. Thanks for the support, I appreciate the comments.

Anonymous said...

If there are people asking why you're not writing the column anymore, perhaps it would be worth a try to get them to write letters to the editor complaining about the switch?

Paradox said...

Good idea, thanks anon.

The Author said...

Your writing is the most cogent, reasonable and humorous writing on sex I've ever read, whatever the editors think and whatever happens short-term.

Perhaps the 'letter to the editor' is a good idea (put their email address up somewhere for readers to register their protest), although my support might be a little abstract coming from far off New Zealand.


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