An Open Letter To All Writers Editors And Followers On Illumination

It happened sometime last night. The light of Illumination, an impeccable publication which I among many others submit to, flickered out. This is not the first time we have witnessed a situation such as this, and although we really don’t wish to admit it, it will not be the last.

This letter is not a vengeful rage against atrocities. I, and I know each of us, understand the need for the Medium Staff to apply jurisprudence and investigate any allegations made against a writer or publication on this platform.

Whether we want to admit it or not, it’s their diligence in ensuring compliance that makes this the greatest writing niche for creatives both new and old.

The problem I see is the way this compliance allegation is being performed now and has been performed in the past. I’ve never been a big fan of being guilty until being proven innocent.

Don’t get me wrong, I love writing here. I have literally met thousands of virtual writing friends and enjoyed that and many more opportunities to read simply stellar pieces.

In my humble opinion, this is the place to be.

Now, having said that, writing here is not all a bed of roses here. Which brings me to my first point. While I understand the need for close monitoring and enforcement, I don’t understand why the proverbial cart is always put before the horse.

Any time a writer or a publication falls suspect they are first suspended and then second, investigated. Simply put, the suspected offense is punished before a true violation has been determined.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I’m not a huge fan of this process. I have witnessed this happen to writer brothers and sisters of mine. I have seen it happen on publications to which I was a contributor. I’ve lost fans, reads, and claps because of this practice. Some of which I eventually gained back after the writer and or publication was reinstated.

Some I never got back. So much for the business side of things.

Let’s examine the target of this latest compliance enforcement. Dr. Mehmet Yildiz and the publication Illumination. I have the utmost respect for Dr. Yildiz and his approach to establish a publication about writers and for writers. I have learned to expect being tagged in his articles where he humbly promotes all of us before himself.

In fact, I anticipate and welcome each day receiving a post from Dr. Yildiz about how our community, the Illumination community has grown, either by readers or followers or new writers.

Never in my time here have I felt such a strong bonding with a publication, and more importantly a host of other writers.

Never in my time here have I truly felt part of something which promised such a positive impact. A time that made me want to step out of my comfort zone and try new things which have only helped to make me a better writer.

Some of you might be thinking, “oh, wow, P.G. done drunk the cool-aid.”

And you’d be 100% correct.

I have.

Up until I received Dr. Yildiz’s invitation to be a writer on Illumination, this feeling of being a contributor to something fantastic had been dormant. Oh, it was there okay, this wanting to actually be part of something great, but until my initial virtual meeting with the good doctor and Illumination I never really thought it possible.

Now I do.

Even though the traction I and many others were making, the camaraderie with other writers, the sense of true purpose with the publication Illumination has been taken away, I still believe.

I believe in myself, my writing abilities, and the abilities of every writer who just like me were part of something wonderful, who still believe as I do that we made a difference.

This letter is not specifically for the governance board here on Medium. They will do what they feel is in the best interests of the platform.

This letter is for all who contributed to Illumination, who read articles on Illumination and those who followed Illumination.

Stay strong my sisters and brothers. Continue to write in and ask for reinstatement. I said one time that Medium does listen to the writers on this platform. And I still believe they do.

Keep the cards and letters coming in folks.

Sincerely,

Paul Gene Barnett