Should Writers Write About Politics In Dangerous Times?
Politics! Ugh!
I know the answer for myself, but what might I not have considered?
I asked ChatGPT to “Give me five pros and five cons in answer to the question. Should writers write about politics in dangerous times?”
AI is based on “Large Language Models,” meaning whatever content has been posted or published over time is what AI software will scan and compile into its answers. That means, the responses may or may not be factual, current, logical, or opinions. Still, I was curious. ChatGPT gave me the following (uncut) five “Pros and Cons.”
“Here are five pros and five cons for writers engaging with politics in dangerous times.”
Pros for Writers Writing About Politics:
1. Speaking Truth to Power – Writers can expose corruption, injustice, and abuses of power, helping to inform and mobilize the public.
2. Historical Responsibility – Literature and journalism document the realities of their times, providing future generations with critical perspectives.
3. Moral Imperative – Silence can be complicity; writing about politics can be a way to stand up for what’s right.
4. Influence and Change – Political writing can inspire activism, shape public discourse, and even lead to policy changes.
5. Defending Free Expression – Engaging in political writing reinforces the importance of free speech and intellectual freedom, even when threatened.
Cons for Writers Writing About Politics in Dangerous Times:
1. Personal Risk – In authoritarian regimes or unstable societies, political writers may face censorship, harassment, imprisonment, or worse.
2. Polarization and Backlash – Writing on political topics can alienate readers, provoke hostility, or make a writer a target for online or real-world attacks.
3. Professional Consequences – Writers may face career setbacks, blacklisting, or loss of publishing opportunities if their views are controversial.
4. Distorted Focus – Political writing can overshadow artistic or literary merit, making the work more about messaging than storytelling.
5. Manipulation and Co-optation – Political narratives can be misused, taken out of context, or repurposed by powerful forces for unintended agendas.
I confess. It turns out that I already knew and had thought about all that. Yet, I comment aloud about social justice/injustice issues in politics anyway. To me, it’s a moral imperative. As Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel stated upon receiving the Nobel Peace Prize,
“Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant.
“Silence is Consent.” I do not consent.
So, Let’s Move on to a Deeper Understanding.
I’m amazed. I posted this in 2019. It is even more relevant now (2025).
What Do Current Politics Have In Common With Bone Growth and Renaissance?
Politics Are Brutal These Days.
Lies Are Not Just “Acceptable,”
They’ve Become the Strategy of Choice.
SO…
How Do We Know When We Are Being Manipulated?
In my opinion, this is one of the reasons we have such polarization and misunderstanding. Not only do schools not teach civics (how government and the press work in the republic/democracy of the USA), but we also don’t learn about fallacies in logic.
Most people (sometimes including ourselves) use various appeals to emotions, rather than facts or logic, to convince others of a point of view. I wrote about these fallacious arguments in 2022 in detail. Feel free to learn and share them if you write to educate or just want to be able to describe the errors in logic.
What About Self Protection?
As a lifelong supporter of civil rights, animal rights, and more, I guess I’m the wrong person to ask. One does what one can, choosing venues and opportunities with some care and phrasing things in a way that might be more effective than inflammatory. There are a thousand things to think about and some precautions to take. However, most things and people are not within a person’s control. That’s why choosing to speak out politically is a risk.
The Flip Side
If you feel the moral imperative, have empathy for those being hurt, and choose to go along with lies, cruelty, and corrupt actions, the truth is that there is an even bigger penalty for NOT speaking up in defense of yourself and others.
It is equal to the price paid by those who have “sold their souls” to defend the indefensible.
It is a betrayal of the Self, and that has profound effects on one’s spirit, self-respect, morals, and inner life. This also affects relationships, as people – intuitively or consciously – know of your deception – whether it is self-deception or an attempt to wrongfully influence or intimidate others.
What happens in the inner life soon is betrayed in the outer life visible to the public and those closest to us.
How May I Help With Something Besides Politics?
I cannot advise anyone on this matter. … Well, I can, and I might, but it’s purely up to each individual to take responsibility for whatever courses of action or inaction they choose.
What I can do is help people get through the hardships through Life Coaching or Spiritual Counseling, both of which are areas in which I’m certified. As a writer and editor, I can help people craft their words, as well. If you would like to talk about those aspects of the question, feel free to write to me at
MyPersuasivePresentations@gmail.com.
You may request a Sip & Share Session – the first one of which is FREE, so we can determine how best I might be of service to you – as an individual or in a group. Please write the topic you want to discuss in the subject line.
I hope this has been helpful.
Do It the Write Way! Let My Fingers Do Your Talking!
