A thought-provoking Tweet I think I love:

Whatever the outcome, I love that there’s a vote on #brexit. US might be a stronger union if states had that argument every few decades.

— Adam D. Bradley ن (@docbradley) June 24, 2016

Let’s talk politics. Or rather, let’s talk about why I generally avoid politics on this site and on Twitter. Facebook is a different realm to me, but even there if I get involved in politics, it’s usually debate (not arguments) on other people’s political posts.

I realize there are people who use their name or position to promote a political idea or philosophy, and while I respect that, I am of the opinion that children’s authors should strive not to use their name for political movements or agendas at least during the time they’re focused on writing children’s books. I give great credit to children’s authors who pause their political agendas while writing in order to prevent (un?)intentional manipulation of their readers.

I’d have to admit that what I write is probably steeped in a philosophy of sorts, but the purpose is not to promote an agenda. The goal of my writing, if I have a goal, is to make you think, to make you analyze everything you know or think you know, and to cause you to reevaluate all. If I throw politics all over it, I’m using my storytelling to influence you politically.

To me the greatest example in these regards is J. K. Rowling. She’s been heavily involved in political causes, but during her writing of Harry Potter, those opinions were not aired to the world (I don’t consider Rita Skeeter and Cornelius Fudge to be “political statements” per se, but I understand if you do). It’s possible the only reason she didn’t constantly spout political statements back then is the fact that she didn’t Tweet during that time, but we don’t really know.

I respect the separation of “entertainment” from politics and politics from “entertainment.”