As they say, great artists steal — and that's exactly what I've done with the name of my blog. This name struck a chord because it serves as multiple reminders in one.
On Staying Curious and Open-Minded
It sounds like "right wing." Politics — like any other subject — fascinates me. I’m curious to learn, understand, and form my own views. I’ve never been one to pledge blind allegiance to a side. That’s partly why I’ve struggled with the American political system, where you're often forced to pick a team.
I was in Nairobi when Trump was first elected in 2016. I was surprised by the outrage — not the disappointment, which I understood — but the sheer refusal by many intelligent people around me to accept that he was elected through a legitimate democratic process. And most of them weren’t even American. I’d seen something similar in India when Modi became Prime Minister — but at least in that case, most of them were Indian.
By 2018, I started noticing a global rise in right-wing politics. I got curious and began reading more. I’d often share what I learned with family and friends — and was surprised by their reactions. Apart from my father, most dismissed anything that didn’t align with their largely left-leaning worldview. I couldn’t believe that the very people who claimed to be open-minded didn’t even want to understand a different perspective.
What shocked me most was how quickly I was labeled “right wing” or even a Trump supporter. All I had done was ask questions. After the initial disbelief, I accepted that if probing and questioning made me “right wing,” so be it.
The Metaphor of a “Wing”
This blog is one part of the home I'm building for myself online. I wanted a name that felt like a distinct section — not just a corner. “The Write Wing” sounds a bit like “The West Wing,” and that association gives it a certain weight. It feels like a place where important things could be said.
Identifying as a Writer
It’s also a space where I can identify as a writer. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, writes about adopting an identity to build lasting habits. I’ve always wanted to write, but I never thought of myself as a writer. Now, having the word “write” in the title is a subtle but constant reminder to claim that identity.
I’m far from the writer I want to be, but thinking of myself as one has already made a difference. Earlier, when I couldn’t write, my inner voice would say, “See? You’re not a writer.” Now, I’m not embarrassed to learn from — and emulate — the writers I admire. I am a writer, after all.
The Humor in the Name
On a lighter note, I also find the name funny. Every time I read it, it makes me chuckle.
I can’t remember where I first came across the phrase, but a quick Google search tells me I’m not the only one using it — there’s a blog, a digital marketing agency, and even a book. Still, this is my Write Wing — and I hope it becomes a space worth returning to. At the very least, I know I’ll keep coming back.