Dianne, thank you for addressing this touchy subject. As I mentioned in our conversation, I can’t not speak out about lax gun laws in my home state of TN after the school shooting down the street. I can’t ignore the dismantling of American government as we have known it. I continue to speak out because speaking out has become a part of who I am. But I am a food writer first, and weaving politics into the newsletter has to feel right.
You do a great job of it, Anne. I have to conclude that your readers are with you at this point. Your views are not a surprise to them and they are there for it.
Feeling so grateful I am a point in my career (semi retired) where I can feel free to remove all my filters! I can appreciate the difficult decision to appear neutral (nobody is really neutral at this point IMO!) when building a brand. However I want people to let me know their stance because I actively choose to support, subscribe, purchase, or follow, brands that are aligned with my views. Lemme know and that saves me research time!
I respect bloggers that share their views on the world. They are people and are entitled to voice their opinions. I follow two people that share their views as well as wonderful recipes and stories. I like knowing that they are real people and are affected by what is happening in their neighborhoods and the world in general. It is complicated, but maybe losing a few followers is worth it!
Posting/commenting on just about anything on social media makes me very anxious for so many reasons, so I do this with less and less frequency and will probably soon cease altogether. I used to have a public Instagram but de-activated it (even though it was entirely farmers' market/food related, nothing controversial.) I now have a private Instagram and don't post anything on it. I just use it to follow the people--such as yourself--who interest me. I do think it's a fine-line between being vocal about issues and being performative. I think that, those who feel compelled from the gut and the heart to post on politics and world crisis, and feel comfortable doing so, should do it whatever their background or profession. Those who don't feel comfortable should not be shamed for holding back. As you pointed out, there is plenty we don't know about what others are doing in real life and nobody should feel pressured to prove online their take on events. During the Black Lives Matter protests, I emailed all of my local elected officials. Online, I did nothing, not even one of those frames around my profile. Silence is not good, but speaking out as a performative act, to prove to others that you DO care, actually dilutes the message from people who feel truly compelled to post on the issue. I make my "voice" on issues heard by "liking" a post that resonates with my worldview.
Thanks for this long response, Marisol. I too feel anxious about speaking out. And definitely, no one should be shamed for staying silent. I'm glad to know about someone else who is active offline but not online.
As a subscriber, I respect your views, whatever they are but that’s not why I pay for a subscription. In my opinion, you can do that somewhere else, and those people who want to follow can then do so.
Hi Julie, yes I get that. For some people, politics are part of their daily life and they can't separate themselves. I suppose they will lose you as a subscriber! That has to be okay too.
I don’t believe we can separate “life” from politics. The two are intertwined. There will always be people who hold a differing opinion but I believe it is incumbent upon us to speak our truth especially when there are so many who do not have a voice. I enjoy a mix of food and politics. Isn’t that what the best gatherings are made of after all?
That's a really open kind of view, Patty. I like it. We probably are only comfortable with people in our own camps explaining their world view, LOL. These days, bringing up politics at the table can be fraught or unwelcome too. Sometimes people just want a break!
I share my views whether in a dedicated post, recipe, book recommendation or photo. I’ve lost subscribers. I’ve gained subscribers. I won’t stop sharing who I am and what I think.
I’m nobody to try and squelch anyone’s voice but I remember when it was taboo to talk about religion or politics in mixed company. It was so nice not to know who hated you.
Yes! Or sex! Maybe it was a topic for when we were younger. I laughed when I read your second sentence. I hope you don't have any haters, Victoria. Or that if you do, you have really tough skin.
P.S. Just to be clear, I don’t think anyone should keep quiet about their beliefs, I just can’t listen to people who talk and talk but don’t take action. Thank you for bringing this up Dianne.
It's definitely easier to talk than to take action. Maybe that's part of what I was referring to about being "performative." We can do that offline too.
I am not a solo operation. I have employees and vendors who depend on the success of my business. I have a fiduciary responsibility to generate as much business as possible and not turn off potential customers. Look at what happened to Elon Musk's Tesla sales and stock because of his involvement in politics. I am active on social media, but I steer clear of politics. As Michael Jordan once said "Republicans buy sneakers too."
This is such an important topic, and I am happy to see it sparking real discussion — because I love to hear and learn from what others think.
As for me, I used to believe it was best to keep politics and food writing separate — like not mixing business and pleasure (though honestly, which is which?). But I’ve never been someone who fits neatly into boxes.
One time, someone told me to “stick to cooking,” and I actually took it as a compliment.
For better or worse, I speak my mind through my food writing. If my colours show, so much the better. Food isn’t just nourishment or nostalgia — it’s identity, memory, and resistance. And if that makes some people uncomfortable, I can live with that. I’d rather cook and write with conviction than play it safe — in my kitchen as in my words.
Love it. That's funny, that you took "stick to cooking" as a compliment. Your newsletter is not just about food. It's also the story of displacement and discrimination. So politics and food go together there just fine, in my view.
Dianne - bravo to you for so clearly articulating this sticky topic. I can appreciate the passion and desire to post political viewpoints and also feel that not posting may look like not caring. So thank you for the pass on that.
We have such a constant stream of media that filtering the fun, the newsworthy, the passions, is a challenge. Any tips on managing it all would be welcome as the content is only increasing with so many available channels. (substack, blogs, Bluesky ....)
Re the constant drip drip of content -- today it's called a firehose, so more than a drip. You have to calibrate it or you'll drown! I too get stuck scrolling and have to pull myself back.
Thank you for the shoutout Diane! I hope you all enjoy my article. I will be publishing my Hamud recipe on Substack also this week!
I try to stay neutral as far as politics go. Having said that, I find food writing to be extremely personal, I am Jewish, I am Mexican and of Syrian descent. So that in itself brings up a lot of historical, political, religious and social references. I am proud of who I am, and I stay true to myself hoping that everyone will learn or be touched by my stories.
That sounds like a political act, Vivian, to stay true to yourself and your story, since it involves displacement, discrimination, and more. You and Elli should get to know each other. He has commented here and I linked to his Substack in my opening essay.
That's great if it works for you!
Do you mean in general or online? I was writing about being online and how much to say. I said that I do a lot about the issues I care about offline.
Dianne, thank you for addressing this touchy subject. As I mentioned in our conversation, I can’t not speak out about lax gun laws in my home state of TN after the school shooting down the street. I can’t ignore the dismantling of American government as we have known it. I continue to speak out because speaking out has become a part of who I am. But I am a food writer first, and weaving politics into the newsletter has to feel right.
You do a great job of it, Anne. I have to conclude that your readers are with you at this point. Your views are not a surprise to them and they are there for it.
Feeling so grateful I am a point in my career (semi retired) where I can feel free to remove all my filters! I can appreciate the difficult decision to appear neutral (nobody is really neutral at this point IMO!) when building a brand. However I want people to let me know their stance because I actively choose to support, subscribe, purchase, or follow, brands that are aligned with my views. Lemme know and that saves me research time!
I'm with you that these days, it's hard to be neutral. People pick up on inferences or make assumptions based on what they see in the writing.
Thanks for the shout outs!
And thanks for sharing a window into the complicated space between who we are in various channels.
My pleasure Sally. That kind of information is valuable to my readers.
I respect bloggers that share their views on the world. They are people and are entitled to voice their opinions. I follow two people that share their views as well as wonderful recipes and stories. I like knowing that they are real people and are affected by what is happening in their neighborhoods and the world in general. It is complicated, but maybe losing a few followers is worth it!
You are dream subscriber for those writers, Karen!
Posting/commenting on just about anything on social media makes me very anxious for so many reasons, so I do this with less and less frequency and will probably soon cease altogether. I used to have a public Instagram but de-activated it (even though it was entirely farmers' market/food related, nothing controversial.) I now have a private Instagram and don't post anything on it. I just use it to follow the people--such as yourself--who interest me. I do think it's a fine-line between being vocal about issues and being performative. I think that, those who feel compelled from the gut and the heart to post on politics and world crisis, and feel comfortable doing so, should do it whatever their background or profession. Those who don't feel comfortable should not be shamed for holding back. As you pointed out, there is plenty we don't know about what others are doing in real life and nobody should feel pressured to prove online their take on events. During the Black Lives Matter protests, I emailed all of my local elected officials. Online, I did nothing, not even one of those frames around my profile. Silence is not good, but speaking out as a performative act, to prove to others that you DO care, actually dilutes the message from people who feel truly compelled to post on the issue. I make my "voice" on issues heard by "liking" a post that resonates with my worldview.
Thanks for this long response, Marisol. I too feel anxious about speaking out. And definitely, no one should be shamed for staying silent. I'm glad to know about someone else who is active offline but not online.
As a subscriber, I respect your views, whatever they are but that’s not why I pay for a subscription. In my opinion, you can do that somewhere else, and those people who want to follow can then do so.
Have always enjoyed your newsletters. Thanks!
Hi Julie, yes I get that. For some people, politics are part of their daily life and they can't separate themselves. I suppose they will lose you as a subscriber! That has to be okay too.
Yes- we all make choices based on what is in our best interest.
Appreciate you Dianne!
That’s not true Julie, I very often, I’d say daily or perhaps weekly, and certainly when I vote, make choices about what is best for others.
I don’t believe we can separate “life” from politics. The two are intertwined. There will always be people who hold a differing opinion but I believe it is incumbent upon us to speak our truth especially when there are so many who do not have a voice. I enjoy a mix of food and politics. Isn’t that what the best gatherings are made of after all?
That's a really open kind of view, Patty. I like it. We probably are only comfortable with people in our own camps explaining their world view, LOL. These days, bringing up politics at the table can be fraught or unwelcome too. Sometimes people just want a break!
And I completely agree that taking a break is healthy. In fact, I am taking one today since sleep eluded me last night following yesterday’s updates.
I share my views whether in a dedicated post, recipe, book recommendation or photo. I’ve lost subscribers. I’ve gained subscribers. I won’t stop sharing who I am and what I think.
Thanks for this topic today, Dianne.
Go Kate! You're taking a stand and being who you are. I respect that.
The moral cost of not speaking up is too great isn’t it Kate.
Yes, it is.
I’m nobody to try and squelch anyone’s voice but I remember when it was taboo to talk about religion or politics in mixed company. It was so nice not to know who hated you.
Yes! Or sex! Maybe it was a topic for when we were younger. I laughed when I read your second sentence. I hope you don't have any haters, Victoria. Or that if you do, you have really tough skin.
P.S. Just to be clear, I don’t think anyone should keep quiet about their beliefs, I just can’t listen to people who talk and talk but don’t take action. Thank you for bringing this up Dianne.
It's definitely easier to talk than to take action. Maybe that's part of what I was referring to about being "performative." We can do that offline too.
You're welcome and thanks for commenting!
I am not a solo operation. I have employees and vendors who depend on the success of my business. I have a fiduciary responsibility to generate as much business as possible and not turn off potential customers. Look at what happened to Elon Musk's Tesla sales and stock because of his involvement in politics. I am active on social media, but I steer clear of politics. As Michael Jordan once said "Republicans buy sneakers too."
Hah. Good quote. And yes it's very tricky when your livelihood is involved and you don't want to take a risk. Look what happened to Target also.
Thank you for the mention, Dianne.
This is such an important topic, and I am happy to see it sparking real discussion — because I love to hear and learn from what others think.
As for me, I used to believe it was best to keep politics and food writing separate — like not mixing business and pleasure (though honestly, which is which?). But I’ve never been someone who fits neatly into boxes.
One time, someone told me to “stick to cooking,” and I actually took it as a compliment.
For better or worse, I speak my mind through my food writing. If my colours show, so much the better. Food isn’t just nourishment or nostalgia — it’s identity, memory, and resistance. And if that makes some people uncomfortable, I can live with that. I’d rather cook and write with conviction than play it safe — in my kitchen as in my words.
Love it. That's funny, that you took "stick to cooking" as a compliment. Your newsletter is not just about food. It's also the story of displacement and discrimination. So politics and food go together there just fine, in my view.
I love a writer that challenges me - computer robots are a dime a dozen. Real provocative thought, that's really where it's at
So you want politics mixed in with a stuffed croissant recipe, it sounds like?
Is it gluten free? Yes please! 😂
Hah. If it's on your Substack, yes!
Dianne - bravo to you for so clearly articulating this sticky topic. I can appreciate the passion and desire to post political viewpoints and also feel that not posting may look like not caring. So thank you for the pass on that.
We have such a constant stream of media that filtering the fun, the newsworthy, the passions, is a challenge. Any tips on managing it all would be welcome as the content is only increasing with so many available channels. (substack, blogs, Bluesky ....)
Re the constant drip drip of content -- today it's called a firehose, so more than a drip. You have to calibrate it or you'll drown! I too get stuck scrolling and have to pull myself back.
Thank you for the shoutout Diane! I hope you all enjoy my article. I will be publishing my Hamud recipe on Substack also this week!
I try to stay neutral as far as politics go. Having said that, I find food writing to be extremely personal, I am Jewish, I am Mexican and of Syrian descent. So that in itself brings up a lot of historical, political, religious and social references. I am proud of who I am, and I stay true to myself hoping that everyone will learn or be touched by my stories.
My pleasure. You did a super job on it!
That sounds like a political act, Vivian, to stay true to yourself and your story, since it involves displacement, discrimination, and more. You and Elli should get to know each other. He has commented here and I linked to his Substack in my opening essay.