WHY NOW?
From The Op-ed Initiative Founder David L Topel
From The Op-ed Initiative Founder David L Topel
To my good fortune, my parents were political activists. They believed in family, equality, education, community, volunteerism, and the working class. Among my father's memorable admonitions, one stands alone. "The good are silent." In these draconian times, while so many wait for others to step up to the mic, we must challenge ourselves to action.
In 2020, as the reality of covid took hold, another reality surfaced. In response to the attack on American civil liberties, Joe Biden would soon become the candidate to try to derail a second Trump term. Public perception that Biden's age was an impediment to victory was of growing concern. Having served as Biden's Youth Volunteer Coordinator for his first US Senate Campaign, and knowing him for a lifetime, I was compelled to speak out. I wanted today's youth to see through my eyes, the twenty-eight year old, freedom loving, protector of democracy with whom I had worked so closely - and that he was alive and well, authentic in his long-held convictions, and ready to serve.
I wrote my Biden book, The Heart of A Leader, in three months with the goal of getting it onto college campuses before the 2020 election. I detailed precisely how we achieved that unlikely '72 victory, making Biden the youngest US Senator in history, and having saved every original position paper and campaign artifact, I included them in the book. As this intimate, transparent memoir began to resonate with young people across the country, I developed a newfound respect for the power of the pen as a tool for social justice advocacy.
Following Biden's 2020 presidential victory, I took a stab at writing my first op-ed and was delightfully shocked to see my article featured in Fortune Magazine's December, 2020 issue. With a print and digital readership of over 3.6 million, and 26 million monthly website users, this was mind-blowing stuff for a novice, typing thoughts into his cell phone from Lambertville, NJ.
Once our First amendment freedoms of speech and press helped unlock my voice, I was hooked! I wrote a second op-ed. Then a third and fourth. But the fact that my articles were accepted for publication remained a mystery to me. I had neither studied writing nor read a single how-to article on op-eds. So I checked out a few op-ed writing resources to see what I was doing right. My ah-ha moment came when I realized the op-ed structure mirrors that of creating an effective jury trial strategy, a skill I honed as a Philadelphia trial attorney in my twenties and thirties. Begin with a great opening statement to capture the jury's attention. Establish a basis for gaining their trust, or at least confidence in my style, approach, and manner. Present persuasive evidence simply. End with a closing statement call to action that appeals to both heart and mind. My op-eds were jury trials in 750 words.
As a trained mediator, finding the most effective ways to bring opposing factions to common ground is a useful skill in any endeavor, including editorial writing. Another useful skill set was developed, of necessity, as the founding board president of a Philadelphia non-profit youth center fraught with challenges. Night school classes in non-profit management and strategic planning, bolstered my confidence and instincts as we built the foundation for a comprehensive lgbtq youth center at a time when the stigma of interacting with this under-served, at-risk population crippled our ability to attract mainstream support. Thirty-three years later The Attic Youth Center remains a thriving institution recognized nationally for its excellence.
A third life experience contributing to successful op-ed writing surfaced in my fifties. Two years into teaching Zumba Fitness classes in the dance barn of my 1740's Bucks County, PA working sheep farm / conference center / bed and breakfast, (while joyfully coaching other instructors online, on growing their classes successfully), I was approached by the owners of Zumba to become their global community manager and to co-develop this new position as I saw fit. For five years, I traveled the world as we created systems of communication, volunteerism, philanthropy and leadership within Zumba's 185 country network. Through those years of intimate interaction with people from so many culturals, my perspective on life and humanity stretched beyond expectation. The truth that guides my writing comes from having experienced that what we have in common dwarfs our differences. And that some of those differences can be beautiful.
A dozen published articles later, I decided to share my love of op-ed writing by creating this site, so that others might open up to the process and add their voices to the cry for empathy, equality, and social justice.
Many of my submissions have not been accepted for publication. That will happen. Shake it off and blog them yourself. Others have had surprising impact and reach. Case in point: I submitted an op-ed to the Miami Herald, (weekly readership 1.5 million) DeSantis Bans Drag Queens From Pride Parade, and was happily surprised to find it published the morning of my 70th birthday, Sunday, June 16, 2023. Within 24 hours it was republished by Yahoo news, expanding its reach to an additional potential 190 million monthly readers. Then by AOL news and others. From that one article, I received feedback and inspired conversations and debate among people from every walk of life - from college campuses, to members of the US House and Senate. The power of the pen is far-reaching, indeed.
I encourage you to take a look at my take on the five basic steps of op-ed writing, and give it a shot. You might start with a timely issue in your community that needs addressing. Your well-written opinion deserves to be heard. We need every voice, now, more than ever.
I wish you courage, creativity, patience, and the willingness to tap into your passion as you begin your op-ed journey.
Respectfully,
David L Topel