I couldn't help but feel out of place as I sat in a meeting with over 20 girls, for I was the only guy.
Was I in the wrong meeting? Had I gotten there at the wrong time? Being in a college club has brought about a great experience to meet new people on campus and getting me involved in my community, but there is just one thing that seems off. There are only three guys in my club consisting of 33 members. Now don't get me wrong, it is a great group of girls, but I feel there is a large audience that is not being reached through our writing.
I don't think there is a bar in America that I could walk into that does not involve a group of guys fighting about the latest political debate, discussing the stats of the last football game, or telling the latest work story. Guys have a lot to talk about and usually have an unapologetic way of saying what's on their mind. That is what can make their opinion so powerful. So with all these strong opinions being voiced face to face, what is stopping them from taking their thoughts and words to paper?
I can't help but feel that most men think it is not a masculine thing to do. After all, you don't hear about guys keeping diaries or journals near as often as you do women. Guys like to keep their emotions bottled up or only known by a close friend or two. I think many people get the notion that when you write for a journalism website you need to reveal your emotions. In part this is true, through every article you write you are voicing your opinion and putting yourself out there to a very wide audience. But with that, you are creating the possibility to challenge people's points of view, argue over your stance, or even meet people that share similar interests as you. You may not see yourself as someone who is creative and witty with your words or you may not be the best at grammar. But once you sit down and start putting ideas into words you may surprise yourself, as the beauty of writing is to get a message out and make your voice heard.
Another reason I think many guys don't want to write is that they feel it is just another "paper" they need to get done the night before it is due. Fortunately, it is so much more than that. When you write for the Odyssey you get to chose what you write about and how you want to say it. This gives you the freedom to choose anything that peaks your interest. When you sit down to write, you do so because you want to--not because you have to. You also challenge yourself with the chance to learn more about what your topic is, which may just give you the edge the next time you are trying to argue your case for why Michigan has a better football team than Michigan State or vice versa. So think twice before you dismiss the Odyssey as being designed for only feminine perspectives and writers.
Get out there and say what needs to be said because I know you guys have an opinion and we want to hear it.
