It's nice to be writing again after a nice, relaxing hiatus. After all, writing, in any way, can keep a creative person in a great headspace. With that being said, this article is the final piece that I will be writing for Odyssey. As heartbreaking as this may sound, it actually symbolizes the end of an era for me. So, I'll give you a list of reasons why:
1. I personally cannot keep up with their deadlines.
I work so much now. With the change of pace, I cannot afford to keep up a healthy mental state, deal with day-to-day drama, AND think of article topics every week. That's exhausting. A lot of things in my life require full-time action and thinking. I also need to enjoy my days, you know, because all of our days are numbered. It's bad enough I can't produce new photographic content. Without that, my mind has become quickly hazy and jumbled. Auto-pilot doesn't work well with creativity.
2. I don't entirely agree with its moral code.
Odyssey, while claiming to be entirely unbiased while giving content creators free, open space to write about their heart's desire, tends to boost articles that are more on the conservative side. While it is entirely possible that the authors of said articles happen to be in highly conservative, republican areas that get tons of support from highly-populated college campuses, I just think it's happening a little too often lately to say otherwise. In case you guys haven't guessed by now, I do not agree with the conservative or republican party. The articles boosted just tend to be about mindless, narcissistic topics or super-biased political views. I believe Odyssey could benefit well from boosting a variety of different types of articles that cater to all, and I mean all. Also, nevermind about being a Progressive also. Y'all wild too. While I do agree with a lot of their ideas, certain things shouldn't be ignored, especially nowadays.
3. It's hard to dismantle a system while working with the oppressor.
I've tried it. It never works. Okay, maybe calling it oppression is a stretch. But I've seen in history how paving your own way can help further progress, rather than working alongside the people who have stuffed their ears with the cotton your people have picked for centuries and being consistently let down. I've been writing for Odyssey since August, and have only gotten paid twice, so that says something.
Yes, we millennials, are getting a nice and open platform. For those especially who are in smaller groups-equate that to "minorities" if you will, our hard work is often overlooked and though we are given the illusion that we are the same as everyone else, and our work is the same quality as the "majority," we're paid less, unrecognized and overall, neglected by those in power of what we want—classic use of Supply & Demand.
*steps off soapbox*
I would like to say again and express my sincere appreciation for Odyssey for giving me this platform. I would also like to extend a thank you to those who recruited me for seeing my gift and recognizing that my voice needs to be heard. But I think it's time for us to go our separate ways.
Oh, and Black Lives Matter.
