To begin with, let me say that this is not something I would usually write; however, due to seeing a multitude of Facebook statuses, tweets, and articles published criticizing Odyssey, I could not wait another moment to speak my mind.

I am the editor in chief for Odyssey at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Our team consists of 27 writers at the moment, and we are a very successful branch. The writers for Odyssey across America put their hearts into writing an article each week in order to have their voices heard. Yes, I will be the first to admit that there are about a million articles titled "An Open Letter To [insert anything under the sun]," and yes, you may get annoyed with seeing similar articles being shared on your Facebook wall week after week, which brings me to my main point -- who cares?

Odyssey is meant to be a platform for anyone and everyone who feels the call to write. You do not have to be an English major or a journalism major in order to write for us, which is what makes this such a special organization. If you want to have your voice heard, then you are welcome to be a part of us. As the editor in chief, I have read every single article that every writer for my team has published since we got our start in the fall of 2015, and I can tell you that some of the things that the writers choose to write about are not light topics. It is not easy for one to put their heart and deepest feelings on paper, if you will, and have it published for millions to see -- I say "millions" because Odyssey receives millions of views each month.

In this day and age, everyone is criticized for every single thing they do throughout the day. It does not matter what an individual does -- there is always going to be someone there to poke fun at them or to make them feel inferior. That is what I believe to be an absolute tragedy. Why does it matter so much to people what others are doing? If someone decides to write the 13,495,235,187th article about their heartbreak, then let them. Why does it matter to you? I have witnessed first hand how my own "Open Letter" articles have impacted someone's life in a positive way. Maybe you are annoyed by it, but the possibility that there is someone, somewhere in the world, that is needing to hear what I had to say about my experience is extremely more meaningful than your rude post. You are not forced to read the articles in which you are taking time out of your day to write a Facebook status about how much you hate.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and every American has their freedom of speech, which is a wonderful thing; however, I just cannot keep myself from thinking back to what my Mamaw has always told me -- treat others the way you want to be treated and if you do not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all. She is a very wise woman, I can assure you, and those words have helped guide me through my 21 years of life. Honestly, why does posting a status, or tweeting a tweet about how annoyed you are with Odyssey and how you think that Odyssey has turned journalism into a "joke" make your life any better? If you are truly upset about someone being brave enough to pour their heart out in an online article, then there is a bigger problem here, and I will be sure to say a prayer for you.

There are so many other things going on in this world that are way more important than someone's article that is similar to something you read about a week ago. I believe the world would be a much better place if people would mind their own business and just let others do what makes them happy. If something does not directly affect you, then there is not one single reason it should bother you. Go on with your life and let it go. I can promise you that you posting on Facebook about how much you hate Odyssey and the open letters is not going to make it go away anytime soon. Which means you should take your negative energy elsewhere because I promise it is not wanted nor needed here.

So, I think I can speak for all Odyssey writers when I say if you do not want to read my open letter article, then don't. It is not going to bother me at all. And if you want to read it, and continue to post Facebook statuses about it, just know that your mean words are not going to stop me or anyone else from writing what they feel needs to be written.

Oh, and to all Odyssey writers, keep on writing those open letters. I have been a witness to the positive effects they have had on our readers. Do not let the negative Nancys of the Facebook world get you down. Do your thing, baby. In the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't."