Simran Kankas Thank you for your note, my friend. It actually inspired me to write a draft of something today based on some of the things I witnessed( mentioned in my last response to you). I feel compelled to spend this next part of my career life doing what I can to help people( mainly women ) in these messy life spirals. No one wins and there is so much misery in the world because of it.

If all people just respected everyone as equal people, we could solve so much. That and a whole bunch of kindness dominating in the world.

May I ask your thoughts on this dilemma I am flipping over in my mind:

As I worked on the draft today I felt conflicted. If one writes an opinion article that directly gets to the crux of the matter( again based on personal observations only)…then without a doubt some readers will be offended. And with women’s issues those offended are both male and female.

Yet I don’t just want to write for general approval…that is…write just about what I think people want to hear.

With abusive relationships there are so many degrees. It certainly isn’t just bad or good. Plus along with the abuse many men throw at women, we also have society, in various ways, teaching women to put up with it.

So. Men first and foremost are at fault. Then second society is at fault for teaching young women the wrong things. Very complicated. And no question direct writing about it can lead to all sorts of reactions.

All this to ask, what do you think about what I am saying? Your poem was excellent and truthful, so poetry is one way. Satire another( and I do have some ideas for “funny yet masking real life” pieces as a way to get points through). But also, direct articles can be the best way of clearly getting points across.

So why am I feeling timid about directly addressing men beating up on women ?Good grief.

Since I just started my writing on Medium in Feb 2020 I have been allowing myself to experiment. Writing in various categories, styles…basically all over the place. It has been fun and enlightening. However “all over the place” is not what I want to keep doing.

I have a number or projects I am considering but no question women’s issues are topping the list.

Any thoughts you have would be so very much appreciated, Simran. You can email me if you like vtanme@gmail.com. Or reply here. Whatever you prefer.

Given the excellent poem you wrote on this particular woman’s issue of abusive relationships, I am thinking you would have some light to shine on my writing quandary. Sounds like you too are interested in helping out with some of these issues our sisters struggle with, often on a daily basis.

Hope you don’t mind me asking. I am just trying to figure out my way on this new career journey😀 I have a lot of respect for you and your writing, Simran.

Thanks in advance, my friend.