Ellen Bowser: My year on Harbinger has allowed me to overcome my fear of being judged through opinion writing

After much contemplation, I’ve decided to address something that’s been weighing on my conscience for many months. 

I’d like to formally apologize to anyone I’ve offended with my opinions or editorials. I truly never meant to step on any toes with my writing. 

At least that’s what I would’ve said in December, at the end of my first semester on staff. 

Letting go of my fear of criticism wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card. Yet, thanks to Harbinger — and my opinions — I’ve both added and crossed it off my list. 

I’ve never been one to shy away from being myself, so I should’ve seen the comments coming from a mile away when I began to fall into my writing niche: opinions.

Early on, I decided to ignore my dad’s wise advice to “not be a lightning rod” in journalism. And while it cost me a few hate comments, it also allowed me to write about my passions. So, I’m not sorry for any of my opinion or editorial stories written in the past year because those are the stories that represent me.

My first controversial opinion, a story about the internet “winter arc” trend, was the first to ruffle a few feathers — or the entire advanced weights class.

Just as I’d grown comfortable with working my opinion into stories, I was surprised to check the Instagram comments of my article about a silly workout trend to see them filled with very masculine anger — because using anonymous accounts to hate screams “building a better me.”

But ripping the judgmental Band-Aid off was exactly what I needed to take my stories a step further.

Even after dramatically promising to my editors I’d quit writing opinions to keep my own peace of mind, I quickly realized that just wasn’t me. No matter what I say, I can’t please everyone, so I’m not going to stop putting my opinion out there.

Despite what I thought when I applied to the Harbinger a year ago — intending to only write news stories — I became known among fellow staffers for my sassy opinions and very opinionated editorials. 

As I poured my honest frustration or excitement into my writing, I gained confidence in opinion columns, despite risking becoming a “‘lightning rod” at times — sorry, Dad. 

My work led me to the Kansas Scholastic Press Association writing competition, where I placed third in editorial writing — something I only achieved by leaning into my thoughts, rather than disguising them.

But regardless, this is my formal non-apology to all those I offended with my sass — I promise to do it again.