I say do the piece you promised and then think long and hard about whether you want to write for them again. And you could always propose stories which are the exact opposite of their appeasing, regime-kissing bent.
I get it but—stay in the arena. Make them fire you, make them drag you out. Stay in the arena! Anything else is self silencing and some less moral yahoo will take your place. Say what you want, embed code if you must! But don’t give up what you’ve fought for and won. Stay in the arena!
Make good on your contract, write it. Not every person in the world can “afford” to live our values, literally and figuratively, but we work hard so that maybe eventually we can. Only pull the piece if there is some overriding editorial decision that compromises your values. Dedicate a small portion of the payment to something that matters in the world. And know that maybe your book review will help support another writer who could use it.
My colleagues and I work as systems/external coaches in a variety of public schools. In some of these districts, you cannot say "equity" due to local board or community politics. Our work is primarily centered on equity, for example helping leaders examine achievement gaps between students of color and white students.
If we can't say equity, we still go into those schools. We call equity something else. The students, teachers, families, and leaders need our support.
Obviously, my example is not the same as your situation, Virginia. Whatever you decide is a reasonable decision. A lot of Post readers a) appreciate reading the smart thinking you have to share, and b) don't share Mr. Bezos's position. Your writing also brings people over to this newsletter.
It’s a dilemma too for Post subscribers. Are we supporting Bezos or Post journalists by continuing to subscribe? Are we hurting Bezos or Post journalists by unsubscribing?
Oh dear, Virginia, a dilemma indeed. Is Ron Charles staying on? One does admire him. Meanwhile do you like the book and would it be a "good" review? If so, do it--I like Talley-Jones advice to make it subversive.
I don't think you are obliged to pull the plug on a piece of work you've already started. And it will be impossible for anyone to survive the dictatorship without making some compromises. But you should stop writing for the WaPo and advise your editor there that you are doing so. They, and many millions of others, will have to make their own choices.
I agree with most of the people here, that you should write it. Living one’s values doesn’t have to be all or nothing, it can be incremental when it has to be. You have so much self-awareness, I can’t imagine you are compromising yourself in the writing.
Ethical quandaries are the best! So write the piece but look for the subtle perversities that critique fucking Besos and the Post. By the way, I cancelled my subscription when they ditched Harris. One more thing: we are all living in this sick Capitalist swamp, mired in the muck. Be the hero!
I agree that you should fulfill your commitment and stick in a few anti-regime easter eggs if possible. What a disaster for the free press. We are Hungary (on steroids, as you point out).
I would finish up the current piece and work on finding another revenue stream somewhere you can hold your head up about. Pulling a single piece right now isn’t going to damage Bezos. But, if you keep going on there forever like nothing’s wrong, then it is somewhat collaborationist.
Write it. And make it subversive. You do that so deliciously.
I say do the piece you promised and then think long and hard about whether you want to write for them again. And you could always propose stories which are the exact opposite of their appeasing, regime-kissing bent.
Ditto. And try to insist on some editorial control.
I concur. Write for them, in your own voice, always telling the truth -- until that is no longer possible.
I get it but—stay in the arena. Make them fire you, make them drag you out. Stay in the arena! Anything else is self silencing and some less moral yahoo will take your place. Say what you want, embed code if you must! But don’t give up what you’ve fought for and won. Stay in the arena!
Writing well is the best revenge.
Make good on your contract, write it. Not every person in the world can “afford” to live our values, literally and figuratively, but we work hard so that maybe eventually we can. Only pull the piece if there is some overriding editorial decision that compromises your values. Dedicate a small portion of the payment to something that matters in the world. And know that maybe your book review will help support another writer who could use it.
Let's us know how much you'd be paid if you wrote it and maybe we can buy it instead
All good ideas.
Oh Nancy, you must be so proud of Virginia.
Yes, very. Not only for her writing skill. But for her courage.
My colleagues and I work as systems/external coaches in a variety of public schools. In some of these districts, you cannot say "equity" due to local board or community politics. Our work is primarily centered on equity, for example helping leaders examine achievement gaps between students of color and white students.
If we can't say equity, we still go into those schools. We call equity something else. The students, teachers, families, and leaders need our support.
Obviously, my example is not the same as your situation, Virginia. Whatever you decide is a reasonable decision. A lot of Post readers a) appreciate reading the smart thinking you have to share, and b) don't share Mr. Bezos's position. Your writing also brings people over to this newsletter.
As a guest on Virginia's podcast noted, a good synonym for 'equity' is 'fairness.'
It’s a dilemma too for Post subscribers. Are we supporting Bezos or Post journalists by continuing to subscribe? Are we hurting Bezos or Post journalists by unsubscribing?
I already cancelled after the non-endorsement. At this point, Post journalists need to be looking for another job, hard as that may be.
Oh dear, Virginia, a dilemma indeed. Is Ron Charles staying on? One does admire him. Meanwhile do you like the book and would it be a "good" review? If so, do it--I like Talley-Jones advice to make it subversive.
I don't think you are obliged to pull the plug on a piece of work you've already started. And it will be impossible for anyone to survive the dictatorship without making some compromises. But you should stop writing for the WaPo and advise your editor there that you are doing so. They, and many millions of others, will have to make their own choices.
I agree with most of the people here, that you should write it. Living one’s values doesn’t have to be all or nothing, it can be incremental when it has to be. You have so much self-awareness, I can’t imagine you are compromising yourself in the writing.
moral hazard
Ethical quandaries are the best! So write the piece but look for the subtle perversities that critique fucking Besos and the Post. By the way, I cancelled my subscription when they ditched Harris. One more thing: we are all living in this sick Capitalist swamp, mired in the muck. Be the hero!
I agree that you should fulfill your commitment and stick in a few anti-regime easter eggs if possible. What a disaster for the free press. We are Hungary (on steroids, as you point out).
I’m looking forward to the Easter eggs.
I would finish up the current piece and work on finding another revenue stream somewhere you can hold your head up about. Pulling a single piece right now isn’t going to damage Bezos. But, if you keep going on there forever like nothing’s wrong, then it is somewhat collaborationist.