Shooting Myself In the Foot...

I pen an entry that, although I won't say is an absolute must read, is deserving of consideration, and it goes unnoticed. Well, at the least, unremarked. I really, truly thought this particular piece would be my most read to date, and would inspire serious commenting.

I then, in the mood to focus on something much more lighthearted and inconsequential, post a movie critic-styled entry that drips of self-indulgence, focusing on a couple of compliments I received recently. This gets comments.

I'm disappointed, but not surprised.

It doesn't require a perusal of my entire blog to see that I have an affinity for discussing two topics in particular: race and religion. Those near and dear to me are all too aware of this (and I fear a bit annoyed). I pretty much only discuss items considered controversial by the lethargically apathetic masses. Why waste time opining the already well established? Well, I fucked around and wrote one post focusing on the two combined, and it may have bit me in the ass.

I am fully aware that the heavy emphasis on both endangers readership. Why? Well, we know I wouldn't bite my tongue in a seizure, so I'll call it like I see it.

I suppose it safe to assume the individuals who will gravitate toward one subject matter over the other most likely have a vested interest in the particular issue they choose. This seems rather obvious. I'll wager that those choosing race are either a representative of a minority, an individual who comes in frequent contact with such or, conversely, a racist of sorts. Likewise, those partaking of the religious commentary are most likely either atheist, the "undecided" in search of answers, or theists actively looking for debate.

Basically, I’m suggesting black folk are peeping my race posts and atheists are here for the god-bashing.

At the risk of perpetuating a form of stereotyping (imagine that) I have to note that, from my own observations, African Americans are less likely to be agnostic or atheist, and therefore don't share my views on religion (I would love to see actual data on this). On the other hand, I suspect most of the faithless visitors are white, and, although overwhelmingly liberal-minded freethinkers, have natural aversions (future topic) to my posts on racism.

Boy that was a lot of stereotyping.

The bottom line? I fear the people who would frequent more often to read my essays on discrimination may be turned off by my overtly anti-Christian themed posts, and vice versa.

What's noteworthy is that both groups are in the minority nationally, discriminated against by the same common enemy, and outspoken (bravely so) about issues of major importance, yet choose their comfort zones according to what most affects them on an individual basis. Maybe this is closed-minded. Maybe it just makes sense and is efficient. Maybe I just want someone to read my dammit post and tell me what they think.

I’ll note here that the issues of race and secularism are two of the most important we face, and the two most debated during the founding years of this country. See how far we’ve come in 230 odd years?