Blog Eulogy

I'm so sorry to have to be writing this, but this is a farewell send off to Mama Midwife Madness, a blog I've enjoyed since I discovered blogging 2 years ago. Mama Midwife joins others in a long line of wonderful blogs that have removed themselves off line. Flea, FPMama, Minority Midwife and others, gone, all gone. They become like friends, a glimpse into the world of likeminded others... and when they go, they are missed. Some leave the blogosphere entirely, some just go private. Mama Midwife went private and has graciously invited me to continue reading, but I know the sadness of losing a blog, often without warning and usually because something really bad has happened. Unfortunately Mama Midwife was the victim of blog bullying which can be very scary and very damaging. This all echos my presentation a few weeks back, when I wrote that blogs can have their dark side. Just as you can use blogs to build a reputation, they can backfire when used to call your credentials into account. It makes me wonder what kinds of things can be said about me to make me want to stop blogging. It's hard to imagine such words. One of the reasons I 'divested' myself of affiliations (ie., quit working at hospitals) was to be able to write and speak freely. I use my real identity precisely because I don't have to 'hide out' or worry about 'getting caught'. I don't expect everyone who reads this blog to agree with me, but I do expect respect and common courtesy, which I'm happy to report, so far- I've always recieved. I do try to be objective and listen to dissenting voices. No one is 100% correct nor 100% incorrect so there is something to be learned from everyone. Having said that, I do have a political agenda- I'm not just blogging to blow off steam. I consider blogging a tool in my arsenal for cultural change. It's sobering to think that any of us can be driven off line by the hurtful words of others. Farewell Mama Midwife- the blogosphere will be a lonelier place without you.