I decided to utilize this spring break to launch a freelance writing project, to stimulate a different part of my brain, to begin to re-mold and re-shape my creative writing voice and technical abilities, skills I once had before joining the ranks as a graduate student. (To say I am disappointed in the graduate school writing environment would be an enormous understatement. It is not only oppressively drab, but unfortunately scientific and unpleasant.)
I came across a website that at the surface level seemed to be quite heavenly for those of us so called writers who truly have no idea what we are doing. Immediately I went to the section on International Politics, after all this is what I know best, and began to peruse the topics-which were quite diverse and some, very well written. Delving even further into the site I clicked on the section on the Middle East to explore the topics and to get a better feel for the political environment of the site. (Disclaimer. I guess now would be a good time to mention that I had just listened to two hour long lectures by the great and wonderful Dr. Noam Chomsky regarding the various crises in the Middle East and in particular the situation in Gaza.)
I was immediately bombarded with not one, not two, but three ads for the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which stated: Protect Peace in the Middle East, Show Your Support for Israel, Click Here. If I were a cat, let's just say I would have met my maker many lives ago. I clicked on the ad and was taken to another website that offered, among other things, a free U.S./Israel flag pin. Interesting, I thought. Ok well that is not what I really thought but I am trying to keep it clean kids.
Needless to say, I will not be beginning my freelance writing career on this website. You see, it's not that I am anti-Jewish or anti-semitic (although this phenomenon deserves more attention). I am, however, anti-taking "other" people's shit -which in this case would mean land, dignity, basic human rights-and then crying foul when they want it back. What makes me even more angry is that the people who placed this ad have the audacity to advertise about their friendship with the cool, powerful, rich kid on the block (the U.S.) and ask for monetary donations so they can continue to take these "other" people's shit. Bully.
I realize that anyone who has money can advertise on these websites and I am fully aware that I live in as well as actively participate in the neo-liberal, capitalist machine that is the world today. But perhaps I have expectations about certain disciplines that operate within the machine. Maybe I had hoped that there is a writing forum out there that promotes objectivity or at least a balanced approach to citizen journalism. Maybe I hoped the Israeli lobby hadn't infiltrated everywhere in these United States. Perhaps I still have an archaic belief that writing is a sacred art and that writers, editors, and others within the discipline have a certain responsibility to work to maintain balance and as much objectivity as possible. Apparently I am delusional.
I suppose I have been living in graduate-student-landia for too long. Though I don't consider myself an idealist as I am much too jaded and cynical. Regardless, I will not be submitting anything else to that site and have instead chosen to articulate my feelings and frustrations on this blog. So much for my so called freelance writing career. Back to blogging for now.
