Standing Our Ground While Not Compromising Our Principles

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post here on Substack titled, “On Leaving Substack“. As I often tend to do, I have been mulling this over in my head ever since the moment I posted it.

Why?

There are several reasons. For one, as an indie creator (I mentioned this in the linked post), moving months of content from one platform to another is time-consuming but beyond that though, each time one moves you are essentially starting over in terms of subscribers and lose people who have found your work valuable. But there is a much bigger and more meaningful reason that has bothered me since the big exodus from Twitter/X.

If creators and voices looking to spread more empathy and justice consistently pack up and move on from platforms whenever objectionable actors appear, we effectively cede control bit by bit. This only results in concentrating influence in fewer hands.

Could this community eventually be relegated to the edges of the internet? What will this do to this precious resource that we all rely on to communicate, support one another, find work, collaborate, share meaning, laugh together, cry together, and make meaningful contributions to the Weltgeist of humanity?

Through conversations with loved ones, and friends, and upon further reflection, my perspective has evolved. I was especially struck by the following quote from Agent Carter shared with me by my daughter:

“Compromise where you can. And where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right, even if the whole world is telling you to move. It is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye and say, no. You move.”

With all of this in mind, I believe the braver path is to stand firm in our values, even in environments that do not fully align with them. We must be willing to have difficult conversations, appeal to people's better nature, and condemn harmful actions. Progress is not made by avoiding hard truths but by relentlessly highlighting them.

Moreover, the impact of our departure may harm the very communities we aim to protect. Marginalized voices, already struggling to be heard, may find themselves further silenced as they lose allies and supporters. The void left behind can be exploited by harmful elements, allowing them to spread hate and misinformation unopposed.

In times of uncertainty and conflict, we must draw strength from within and embrace moral courage. As described by psychologist Rushworth Kidder, moral courage involves "the willingness to speak truth to power, to challenge the status quo, and to endure the disapprobation of others." It requires us to plant ourselves firmly, like trees, and declare, "No, you move."

Conclusion

I urge creators and advocates of fairness to join me in embracing moral courage. Let's work together to build a digital community that values diversity, inclusivity, and respect. We must be prepared to listen, to learn, and to adapt, but never at the expense of our fundamental beliefs.

Rather than fleeing, let's transform the platforms we occupy into spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued. By standing our ground and engaging in meaningful dialogue, we can break down barriers and foster a culture of understanding.

Together, we can create a world where marginalized voices are amplified, and where justice and equality reign. It won't be easy, but we can persevere through adversity and emerge stronger, more resilient, and more united than ever before.

I will therefore continue to publish on Substack, respectfully challenge ideas I disagree with, and support voices that I believe make the platform better. There is still tremendous good that can be accomplished here. However, should the principles that are important to me be irrevocably undermined, I will always reserve the right to leave.

For the moment though, it is better for me to stay. I may yet be surprised by what positive change can occur. ✌️