How NOT to speak and other things i don't know

Whats good fellow writers? Its that time of the month again - when i come out of hibernation and post something really politically incorrect. (With apologies to my orthodox contemporaries).

Stepping on toes is easy. All you have to do is speak your mind. Most times we hold back and nod along, or coat our opinions with layers of sucrose - deception is crucial in any relationship.

So what does that mean to us as writers? Where's the line between acceptable and offensive? And how far is too far? This article intends to raise more such questions in the minds of my contemporaries. Finding answers is the next step.

Most of us writers who've grown up feeding off books have absorbed some of the values and ideas expressed in their pages. Some of us have made those ethics our own, shaping our philosophies around ideals. Some of us are more influenced by the "pragmatic" thinking that society instills in us. We all have a conscience that is as individual and different as ourselves. But what of our collective conscience? The code of ethics we follow as members of our professional community?

The way humans perceive the world is changing faster than I can think up a metaphor to describe it. With opinions battling it out in every media possible, how does a writer express himself and manage to avoid ruffling a lot of feathers?

Shouldn't there be one simple rule that can guide the turn of phrase in our pieces?

Unfortunately for us, the difficult task of laying down a fresh and relevant professional etiquette has been bequeathed to our generation of growing writers (God forgive the present media today for selling out!).

While many of our articles can and will be misunderstood, the most we can do is make sure the INTENTION behind our writing comes across clearly. That, at the moment, seems to be one of the best safeguards against ignorant criticism. For instance, if one were to employ sarcasm or satire in their article, and their intention is put across properly then they'll have no problem. (Or not much of a problem. Hopefully.). Smh.

Writing, apart from having therapeutic qualities also has a social responsibility. A life without dreams and ideals is second-rate living. Be a writer of principle.

Have answers to the questions raised today? I'd like to know. Post them in your comments.