I See You're Getting On Your High Horse. Well, I Can See Up Your Nose.

So I have to rant about something that’s been bugging me a lot lately.

I’ve just gotten into University and I’ve registered for a BA in English. Seeing as I am a writer and I hope to one day make money from my writing, I figured that studying English would be a practical choice for improving my writing and learning more about my future career.

It seems that many people disagree. Here’s how the general conversation goes:

“So what are you studying?”

“English.”

“So, are you going to be an English teacher?”

“No.”

“So.... what are you going to do then?”

“I’m a writer.”

“Oh...”

There are then two possible responses:

1.       People tiptoe around the subject as if “I’m a writer” is synonymous with “I have an STD”. As if I have some sort of unfortunate affliction that it’s not polite to talk about – but they can still judge me because I’ve brought it upon myself

2.       “But like, seriously, for a job, how could you use that degree?”

So, I’d like to clear some things up.

Just as someone who wants to be a Doctor studies Medicine, I am studying English. This is my chosen career path. My dreams are of no less value than someone who decides to study Law, Medicine, or Economics – why should they be?

I have the same chance of success as anyone else, realistically. If I don’t reach my ultimate goal of becoming a famous, published author, then there are other ways I can make money by writing – in the same way that someone may never reach their ultimate goal of becoming a surgeon, but still make money from their medical degree.

You could say that money is the biggest factor here. That I will not make money from my writing or that I think writing will make me famous and rich. I do not want to write so I can become the next J.K. Rowling and be a billionaire. I want to write because that’s what I do, and who I am; I’m a writer. If I am only mildly successful, I would be earning a lot less than a mildly successful doctor. Does that give you the right to undermine my chosen career? There are many low-paying jobs that are still given respect. So money (or lack thereof) gives you no reason to be condescending.

Besides, people who choose to be in careers such as writing, acting, painting, dancing, playing music, etc, are aware of the fact that they might not make money. We know that there is a high possibility of us living close to poverty for our arts. We are not stupid, nor are we naive enough to believe that we are going to become rich and famous overnight. Most of us do what we do because we love it – not because if we make it big we will get lots of money. Honestly, the amount of money I make is not your concern anyway.

So, that brings me to my final point – that people think I am simply being lazy and choosing an easy subject, that I have no aspirations or that I’m just choosing a career that requires little effort from me. I won’t deny that I’m lazy, because I’m one of the laziest people you will ever meet. I don’t really use energy on something unless I consider it very important. It’s hard to get me motivated. Writing, reading and literature in general is the one thing that I always have been and always will be passionate about. As I’ve said many times already – I’m writer. That’s the one thing I know for sure about myself. So why would I waste my life doing anything else? Why not turn something that I love into something that other people can enjoy too? And why not make a living out of it?

Think about racism, or homophobia – judging someone because of who they are or what they have chosen in life. Prejudice is prejudice. And it’s still hurtful and offensive to the people being put down because of their choices. We live in a world where people have the right to dream and become whatever they want to be – that’s a great thing. Why would you get in the way of that with your judgements?

So, if anyone who has a problem with “impractical” careers and dreams could please just have some respect it would be greatly appreciated. Introvert a little and imagine what it would be like if your dreams were laughed at or looked down on.  Kinda pisses you off doesn’t it?

p.s. This blog is dedicated to the Supper Society :P My favourite actress, artist, and our two musicians.