Making mistakes doesn't invalidate writer's opinions

Friends, forgive me, for I have sinned. This is the first time I've ever made a confession of this sort.

In Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus tells us, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get."

I've been doing a lot of judging these days, and I have been judged in return.

I've written nine columns this semester, and eight of them have been highly critical of someone or something.

In writing this way, I've alienated friends and created enemies, but I can live with that.

The problem is that I've also spurned the opportunity to highlight the things I do respect or to note the actions I do applaud, and for that, I take some pause.

Often, even when I'm critical, I make a point to include suggestions on how to improve things. But I mostly put these suggestions at the end of my columns, after the point where many people stop reading.

Because of this, those who are angry at or frustrated with what I've written do not hear what I have to say. That does little good.

On more than one occasion, I have overstated my position. I like certainty and bold statements, and because I write that way, I leave little room for nuance and detail.

I'll be the first to admit that in my column, the little things sometimes get overlooked.

From time to time, I have put style ahead of substance and have reached for the quick joke or clever turn of phrase when something less creative would have held more truth.

Twice, my editors have felt it necessary to run a clarification on something I've said.

I have, at least once, printed something that was not true. That is a mistake I wish I hadn't made.

Today, my editors printed a full-fledged correction on a point I made in the first sentence of my column a week ago.

At that time, I wrote that Richard Bean was a College Republican staffing his organization's table in the Pit when Kevin Sellers lit his American flag on fire. Actually, Bean just happened to be passing through.

Small mistake? Sure. But I regret the error.

I've made people angry, and that leaves them closed to what I have to say.

Every week, I get feedback from readers, and people who think that I'm an idiot write at least half of it. I would not call my fan mail a healthy exchange of ideas.

The paper has made a point to print at least three letters to the editor in response to columns I have written, in which people note that they've felt personally attacked by something I have said.

Some people have told me that they have never known another columnist who has made people feel this way.

At this point, I trust that I have angered no one. I'd ask that you kindly keep reading, because I have yet to reach what I've written this column to say.

Despite my mistakes, I stand by every position I have taken in my stint with The Daily Tar Heel. I'll apologize for errors, not opinions.

I maintain that there is a difference between criticism and negativity. I see a distinction between questioning a course of action and directing a personal attack.

When I criticize an organization, malign a mode of thinking or call into question the actions of a public official, there is nothing personal about it.

Just as I admit to my mistakes, I expect others to do the same. And when they don't, I am going to call them to account.

I write the way I do because I think I'm right.

I write the way I do because I want to see things change.

I write the way I do because what I have to say needs someone to say it.

And I don't expect to launch my opinions into the void. I know that when I say the things I do, people are going to disagree - in fact, I am counting on it.

I expect those I target to criticize me in return. I want to hear the other point of view. That's the reason I write like this: I am trying to spark debate.

Boiled down, that's my job. I'm an opinion columnist, and that means I should express strong opinions so others will share their thoughts as well.

In 1861, the editor of the Chicago Times told his readers that "It is a newspaper's duty to print the news and raise hell."

I'll let others report the news, and I'll keep raising hell.

Contact Matt Compton at mattcomp@gmail.com.