Why write?
Why write? In order to answer this question, we need some context.
Why write for oneself?
Personally, I write to expel my thoughts. When there isn’t a handy ear to relieve my boundless mind - or when a simple in-the-mirror self-help monologue doesn’t do the trick - I turn to a fancy pen and a cute (preferably stickered) journal. The look of said journal may differ for everyone, and the pink ultra-fine-point pen I use might not appeal to others, but that’s not the point. The point is turning to writing for comfort.
Many people journal to find themselves, to explore new challenges, or to seek answers. Turning to the comfort of a chosen notebook can feel like a mother’s hug or a friend’s open ear - a place to vent, to reflect, and to show every side of oneself. Writing to myself allows me to discover what makes me tick and how to face daily struggles by analyzing my thoughts and patterns.
Why write for class?
One could argue students write just to get an A. While that obviously plays a role, I write to bring something more - a smile, a new idea, a spark. I write to stand out: in style, in topic, in tone. Writing for class keeps me engaged. I love playing with perspective, experimenting with rhetoric, and engaging in the never-ending dance between words.
Why write for publication?
This question holds the most weight. Why write publicly? Why should someone read my tango of words versus those of a classmate or colleague? What gives me the authority to fill a page?
The truth is, I may not have authority or expertise - but I do have privilege. I live in a society where relevance and visibility are tied to race, gender, class, and more. I was born into a white, female body in Southern California, and I’ve had access to education and opportunity. That privilege gives me a responsibility.
What else should I do with it but listen and amplify? I write to share the stories of my friends, colleagues, and fellow humans - people society too often marginalizes. I write to expose injustice, to uphold values, and to engage in diplomacy through language. Writing means listening, paraphrasing, and learning in pursuit of peace or solutions.
Let me be clear: I have no inherent authority. I don’t believe I’m better than anyone else. But I recognize the power society gives me, and I aim to use it ethically - to make space for others, to push toward equity and equality.
So now, with all this context, let’s ask again: Why write?
I write for improvement - be it personal, through therapeutic journaling, or academic, in pursuit of a 4.0 GPA. And I write publicly - to question the past, engage the present, and imagine a better future.
