Chapter 1: The Challenge of Returning

After a three-month break, I'm back on Medium—at least for the time being.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Typically, I don't get easily offended. I advocate for free speech, but I found it difficult to overlook how Medium has been promoting and compensating for articles filled with hate. Many of these pieces were not only offensive to my identity but also encouraged reprehensible comments from readers.

Initially, I attempted to report these articles, but despite Medium's assurances that they were "investigating," I witnessed no tangible actions taken. As I write this, those articles remain on the platform, with their authors continuing to spread toxicity.

In response, I decided to cancel my membership. While Medium might choose to ignore the situation, I could take action on my end. I didn't want any of my membership fees contributing to the promotion of such harmful content. I figured I could still write on Medium without being a paying member.

However, I've realized that navigating Medium without a subscription is quite challenging. For instance, you can't easily access publication guidelines or stay updated with Medium's announcements. You lose the sense of community that the platform fosters, and without that connection, it becomes harder to stay engaged.

Consequently, I drifted away from Medium. I gradually ceased publishing new content and, for the past three months, I haven't posted anything at all.

This doesn't mean I've given up on writing entirely. I still produce a regular newsletter, draft future articles, and submit pieces to various paying magazines. The concept of Medium lingered in my mind, but with each passing day I went without logging in, returning became increasingly daunting.

Yet, here I am, ready to give Medium another shot. I have experienced some level of success on this platform before, and I recognize that my writing journey might have remained a mere hobby without it. Perhaps it's worth extending Medium the benefit of the doubt.

When it comes to the membership fee, I'm torn. It's true that those hateful accounts continue to exist, and Medium sometimes promotes them through emails or site recommendations. However, I genuinely miss the community that comes with a membership.

For now, the urge to protest against Medium's policies remains strong. Every time I see the "Resume Membership" button, it serves as a reminder of their inaction. The thought that my fees, however small, might support those spreading hate is unsettling. Until I can be assured that my contributions won’t support such individuals, I will refrain from paying.

I may have returned, but my protest continues.

Chapter 2: Engaging with the Community

This video, titled "Ultimate Look Back - Medium - YouTube," dives into the evolution of Medium and addresses the platform's community dynamics and challenges.

In this video, "Allison DuBois | Reincarnation, Past Lives, Spirit, Astrology | Ep. 179 - YouTube," the discussion centers around deeper themes of identity and spirituality, which resonate with the ongoing conversations about personal experiences and beliefs.