(Deep breath...)
When I began crafting my blog hop, I took note of the elements of other blog hops that I enjoyed. I noticed this phrase on several of them...
"FAMILY FRIENDLY ONLY"
I assumed this was aimed toward spammy nasty types who placed something vulgar on your blog hop just for kicks. I thought, "I don't really need that comment because it won't stop those types, and I can just go in and delete them myself IF it occurs."
After nearly a year of hosting my blog hop, I never had a problem until yesterday. But I don't think I was right in my assumptions. I don't think these were spammy types. I think these were folks who'll be genuinely surprised that I find their blog offensive. Both of these blogs used words that I try not to use, and I certainly don't want my children to use. It's a religious conviction as well as a cultural one (I'm in the South, y'all).
One had the "B" word in the title of her log, which meant that every time my daughter came by the screen, I was trying to move it so she wouldn't read it. She has been exposed to the with the word (thanks to TV) but I don't want it to become one she uses, at least while she's under my realm of influence.
The other one didn't drop the "F-bomb" until you got to her page, but then it and others were peppered everywhere. Again, I don't think she set out to offend, but since this is normal in her world, I don't know that having a guideline of "FAMILY FRIENDLY ONLY" would have helped, since the use of this language is "friendly" in her family anyway.
SO what do I do?
- I've deleted them and will continue to do so if they return unchanged. It just isn't welcome on my blog hop.
- I'm going to have to add a line to my guidelines after all. I don't know what that will be exactly, but maybe it will prevent this in the future.
After going back and forth with how I should address the ones affected, I have to realize that my religious and cultural convictions are NOT going to be appreciated by everyone (a bit of a puzzle to me, since being in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ has given me a wonderful life, free from anxiety and guilt). However, I would like to hope that they'll be RESPECTED once I state them on my blog hop guidelines. we'll see.
(Phew...)
6 comments:
I would have done the same thing! Good for you!!
Good for you! Couldn't agree more!
I don't write any swear words in my blog. The only time it might come out is if I'm writing a chapter in one of my novels and publishing it on the blog. One novel has a bad girl in it. But the other novel is kid friendly and no swearing. It's a children's fantasy.
I do read a few blogs where people swear in it. I try not to follow them. I only follow one as her blog is interesting even though there is some swearing in it.
People don't really like to read things with lots of swearing in it. It's a turn off.
I agree Jennifer. I know I can't insulate myself or my children from using foul language, and I realize that relationships are most important. But hearing or reading those words make me jump (literally) because I'm not used to them. The two blogs in question
had me on edge!
I appreciate that you make the effort to keep things family friendly. I would not like to be directed to a site with that language either, and hopefully it was encouraging or eye opening to others. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for your sweet encouragement Nat!
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