In this day and age, people have become more sensitive and quite easily triggered. The slightest joke, opinion or remark might end up offending someone… so how can you write about a sensitive topic without inadvertently offending anyone?
1. Don’t write about it
There’s a theory says that you can never really please everyone. No matter how careful you are, someone might misread or misinterpret what you wrote, and they will get offended. So if you’re not ready to handle any consequences such as hate and negative comments, then just don’t write about sensitive topics. Avoid them. If you’re ok with any backlash or retaliation that your writings might stir, then go ahead… because the theory also says that it’s ok if you end up offending someone inadvertently.
2. Don’t state any personal opinion or judgment
Just neutrally state facts and observations about the topic, and objectively list opposing views concerning the topic.
3. Make sure to be politically correct
If you’re unsure about something, Google it or research it before writing it.
4. Revise, re-draft and re-write
Make sure to re-read what you wrote to check if it might possibly be perceived in a manner that was different than you intended it.
5. Make someone read it for you
It helps to have someone else such as a friend or editor read your draft and give you feedback on it. Others often see things from different perspectives than you do.
6. Replace sensitive names or don’t use names at all
Never poke a beehive or a sleeping bear. You don’t want to anger a mob of extremist loyal supporters or end up receiving some defamation lawsuit now, do you?
7. Leave no trace
Depending on how offensive your article is or how sensitive the topic you’re tackling is, you might want to choose not to associate your name with it. Make sure your name or social media account isn’t traceable back to the article you wrote and has no ties with it whatsoever. (ex. No author name on the article, website domain name privacy so no one can check website’s Whois info and find out the owner, no contact email on website or article, no public social media post…). A note to also consider: if your social media post is only visible to your friends… how trustworthy are your “friends”?
8. Haters gonna hate… deal with it
You can’t please them all. No matter what you do, some people will get offended or triggered. Don’t let this deter you. You don’t have to care at all actually, because at the end of the day, they’ll be fine. They’ll make it through… and so will you. Just try not to be too offensive… There’s really no need.
