Why I Write What I Do
I write in two distinct genres — sociology and creative non-fiction. At first glance they probably strike my readers as totally unrelated but remarkably, the two are quite inter-related. How can that be? Because one — sociology, is routed in my academic training and as such, draws upon my interests and curiosities about society. The other — creative non-fiction is experientially based, drawing upon the impact society’s complexities impart upon me.
Always, I’m asking the same question yet each time I do, it’s within a new context. That question, combined with my need to conceptualize reasonable answers, is the foundation for most of my writing — academic or creative non-fiction.
So exactly what is that question? I ask about the factors that permit — even encourage, entire populations to behave irrationally and immorally. At a global level, I contemplate how entire countries, even continents, become complicit during mass-insanity that supplants rational and moral thought. Many of my non-fiction stories not only consider the dilemma but are, in fact rooted in it.
Sad to say that examples are far too prevalent; World War II, segregation in the USA, and slaughters in the name of ethnic cleansing in Africa, Asia, the Middle East but the tragedy is that those are but a few. My writing about this topic remains in a constant state of flux, evolving in concert with the progress of my life and as such, my increasing awareness.
I want my readers to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying roots of intolerance plus how traumatic historical events impart long term, trans-generational effects.