Protecting our Space
If you won't do it, Substack, then I will
Friends, depending on how long you’ve been here with me on Substack, you know that sometimes we have to hit the pause button and take a step back. Tough conversations like this are never fun, but they are necessary.
Because the alternative is staying quiet, and I’m not willing to do that. So, I’d like to ask you to join me for a look at what’s happening across Substack, my stance on everything, and what I plan to do about it.
Substack Has a Lot of Problems
Social media in general is one of humanity’s most divisive creations. On the one hand, it can connect people, build community, and allows for genuine interactions. On the other hand, though, it can also be a cesspool of violence, hate, and sexual harassment, particularly for women.
Substack has had a problem with all these things since I joined. Not only that, but they’ve allowed blatant Nazi publications to exist alongside us, which we’ve talked about in the past.
The problem beneath all of this is that Substack refuses to do a damn thing about it. They just sit back and watch it all burn. They claim they have terms and conditions, but in my experience, they’ve never enforced them.
Now, if you’d like to fully update yourself on the recent surge of sexual harassment and violent comments toward women, I’d highly recommend reading this article from lettersfromafeminist. It outlines everything perfectly, and it offers a very viable way to fight back against what’s happening:
So, we’ve established that this is a very serious problem, and that Substack is very serious about not doing much about it. The next step is to talk about what my stance is on everything here, and what I plan to do about it.
This Will Always be a Safe Space
My goal with The Writer’s Journey is to build the largest community of writers and creatives the world has ever seen. I want to have conventions, meet-ups, and massive writing challenges that span the globe one day.
However, I’m also committed to keeping this a safe space for everyone, especially those in the LGTBQ+ and other vulnerable communities. If you agree with me, then you’re welcome in this place, and you always will be.
If you don’t, well, I’ve handled that situation in the past as well.
And I know this is going to kick the hornet’s nest. I’m no stranger to hateful comments, DMs, Discord messages, and other things that result from speaking up in situations like this, but guess what?
There are women and other people out there on the internet who deal with that kind of stuff EVERY DAY. I’m not about to abandon them, either.
My point is that I’m not okay with any of this, and I refuse to stay silent. I will absolutely do everything in my power to protect the people in my community.
Can I influence all of Substack? Not yet, but you can rest assured that if I do ever get control of a platform like this, there would be serious changes.
In the meantime, I can control my platform and the space around me. My promise to all of you is that I will continue to do that. If Substack wants to be hands-off, then that means the sword cuts both ways.
They’ll allow hate and bigotry here, but that also means we have the tools to deny them the attention and the reach they’re looking for. We are not powerless in this, but we have to work together.
Which brings me to my next point.
How I Plan to Move Forward
I have seen many social media platforms come and go in my time on the internet. No platform is forever, but one thing I’ve always believed in is that people define a platform.
And, despite the things happening around us here, I have still met some of the best human beings on planet Earth by being here on Substack. That has to count for something.
All of that being said, safety and privacy are non-negotiable. If you don’t feel safe here, then you can and should leave. I am not here to try and shame anyone who wants to go elsewhere, but I do want to offer you both my space and my help if you choose to stay.
If I were just some no-name profile on here, I probably would have left a while ago, but the reality is that I’m not. I have a community surrounding me, and I can’t abandon them.
I also believe that giving ground is just letting these people win. Yes, we could jump to another platform, but how long until that one becomes unsafe? And, more importantly, how much of a difference can we make if we’re all hiding?
There’s a balance here, though, and I recognized that, too. At a certain point, it may come time for me to go elsewhere. I’m not delusional, but I also have to think about how and where I can make the most difference as well.
And I am looking at alternatives in case that time comes. Gil Nobodi recently launched a new platform called Wrizzit that seems really promising. I also know that Gil is a fantastic person who will ensure that the platform remains a safe space, so I plan to make an account there as well for sure.
In the meantime, though, despite Substack’s unwillingness to step in, my promise to all of you is that I will. If any of these horrible things are happening in our community, I want to know about it. And, unlike Substack, I will take action.
If you have experienced something like this, and you’re considering leaving, please don’t hesitate to DM me. Our conversation will remain private, but I want to help if I can.
And, when bad actors are revealed, trust that I will call them out. One person blocking and reporting someone is good, but two thousand people doing it is better.
So, my friends, just remember that I will always stand up for this community and the people within it. I will take whatever action I can, and I will always have your back. I want to show everyone that they can’t scare us off, but I can’t do it alone.
Whatever you decide to do, know that you have my blessing and my support. I hope you’ll stay, but if you decide to go, I respect that, too.
Regardless of what you decide, please keep writing your stories. Alone, we can’t change the world, but we can create better ones.
Let’s show Substack what better looks like. Together.
Thanks for Reading. Here’s Your Musical Pairing
Music, art, and writing are how we fight back.
Thanks for saying all of this and especially the mention. Your voice is invaluable wherever you take it and I am 100% on the side of not surrendering space like you said.
Thanks for standing up for your people, Bradley! If we don't do it for each other, it's clear the platforms won't.