I Am NOT a Wordsmith

Drive with caution, artist at work

For someone that has profusely expressed his longing to write professionally, it might seem a bit odd for me to declare that I am not a wordsmith. In truth, I used to love that term. I found it to be a rather pithy and clever expression. Who wouldn’t want to think of themselves as a refined craftsman?

My change in attitude came from a friend and co-worker. This is a man for whom I have great respect. He’s highly intelligent, (although, like me, fails to live up to his potential), clever and wickedly funny. (He hails from the Boston area originally so I think it’s required that I use the term “wicked” in his description.)

While sitting at work, pretending to be busy (a worthwhile skill practiced by so many), we inevitably began a discussion about writing as a career. He expressed his dislike for the term “wordsmith”. In fact, I think his actual comment was “I fucking HATE that word! It’s so pretentious.”

Needless to say, I wasn’t prepared for that bit of sarcastic insight and while I neither submitted an agreement or disagreement, inwardly I felt just a touch offended.

My Cause is Better Than Your Cause

I just read a brief article from a fellow blogger that got me fired up enough to write this piece (which, considering my lack of entries into my blog as of late, must be saying something.)

She was “pissed” that so many people are changing their Facebook profile pics with the French flag color overlay. Racial inequality in America is an important issue for her and thus in “protest” of the solidarity outpouring that is coloring social media, she in turn changed her profile pic to one of Malcolm X, the radical civil rights activist and ironically, a Muslim.

I understand the cynicism that some feel when the public jumps on different social bandwagons and participates in activities without really giving much thought to what they’re doing. I’ve never been a fan of displaying ribbons for different causes as it does very little to actually help. I realize many folks will participate in trends just to fit in. I spoke with a teenage girl who didn’t even know what the word “solidarity” meant, though she’d posted it on her page.