The American Blogger Controversy. Have you heard about it? Perhaps its because I’ve had a sucky week and haven’t been able to check my social media sites like I normally do, perhaps it was because I was too busy eating bon-bons and watching Oprah, Ellen and The Chew. There has been a firestorm of controversy surrounding the film, American Blogger, by Christopher Wiegand. Before I go further – watch the trailer.
American Blogger Official Trailer from Chris Wiegand on Vimeo.
Here are some of the negative comments that I came across on Twitter (and yes, I’m publishing with their names in place):
#AmericanBlogger: the voice of caucasian, skinny, blonde, twee Pinterest-loving mommy bloggers. Also known as a movie I wouldn’t pay to see.
— Jenn ♥ (@kissmykitty) April 10, 2014
1 part chevron.1 part messy hair.1 part white ladies.1 part instagram.add them together & what do you get? #AmericanBlogger #LifeChanging
— Jamie Grayson (@TheBabyGuyNYC) April 10, 2014
As a stylish, white woman living in a literal pinterest board,I felt well represented in the #americanblogger trailer http://t.co/bHAR3dTVbA
— John (Dad) (@askdadblog) April 8, 2014
Suggestion, per @suebob: #AmericanBlogger changes its title to “Mansplaining Blogging Using My Wife’s Friends.” PROBLEM SOLVED. #helpful
— Tracey Gaughran (@xotrace) April 8, 2014
Not all of the comments are negative. Some are snarky, some are funny. I still need to ask though – what the hell is everyone’s problem with this movie?
Does it depict all bloggers in America? No. Does it depict racially diverse bloggers? No. Does it depict the dad bloggers or male bloggers out there? No. Does it depict an overweight mother of three who blogs about her boring life and raising an ADHD teen, a tween with anger issues, a husband who is from the dark ages and a dog who thinks she’s human? Of course not, because that would be me. I’m not in the film, and I am okay with that.
Just as YOUR blog is YOUR voice, your little corner of the world, Chris’ story is just that – HIS story. From Casey’s blog:
They are a very VERY tiny piece of the puzzle to this big huge internet world but they are my story. Chris, as a storyteller, went out to tell this story. His story of learning what this was all about in my tiny world. The way these women tell their stories authentically does represent American Bloggers, but we are completely aware that not all categories of American Bloggers are represented in this film. Nor was that the goal for this first film. You can read this post from almost a year ago. Read the idea, the thought behind it. See where I mention American Blogger Part 2? From the beginning this was the start of a much bigger conversation. So many stories to be told. He also bought the domain (www.americanblogger.com) with the idea that it could eventually be more than a film but also a website. Featuring American Bloggers everyday. These are all ideas and dreams that he had but needed to start somewhere and build momentum to take this bigger places.
Quite frankly, I’m ashamed at the bloggers who have bashed Chris’ movie so publicly via social media and on their own blogs. You are entitled to your opinion, but don’t include ME in your rant that this is an “outrage” against bloggers all over America. You do not speak for me. I stand behind Chris and Casey and applaud them for taking this idea and moving forward with it. Blog Elevated posted an article about the controversy and, while they make some valid points, I’m sorry – they just do not speak for me.
This movie is going to open doors for all bloggers once it is released. It is going to tell a story about what blogging is about, the fun, the not-so-fun, the down-and-dirty of it all, and it is going to show businesses and marketers that we ARE a powerful force to be reckoned with, that we CAN cause a global change in anything we put our collective minds to doing.
To all of the bloggers that participated in this film – thank you. Thank you for sharing your voice, your opinion, and your stories. Please do not allow any of the negativity to alter you or your blogs.
“A true blogger will never attack the hopes and dreams of another, but will do everything in their power to help that person see their dream become a reality.” — Kim Miller
Chris and Casey – thank you for taking this idea, this dream, and making it a reality. I for one am thrilled about it, and I cannot wait to see the amazing things that you will do in the future as you build upon it. Let’s show some love to this young filmmaker and start tweeting:
#I♥AmericanBlogger
