Why I Do What I Do (Because the Rest of You Are Too 🐱 to Do It)

By Michael Kelman Portney

Let me start by saying this: if you’re reading this, yes, I’m talking to you. You would never do what I do. And don’t try to argue otherwise—you know it’s true. You’d make excuses. You’d find reasons to keep quiet. You’d convince yourself it’s not worth the risk, the discomfort, or the fallout. That’s why I’m here, doing the hard work, while the rest of you sit on the sidelines, safe in your silence.

So let’s talk about why I do what I do—and why you never would.

1. Because I’m Not Afraid to Burn Bridges

Burning bridges isn’t just something I’m willing to do—it’s something I embrace. Some connections are toxic, some systems are broken, and some people just need to be called out. I don’t care about preserving fake harmony or avoiding awkward conversations. If I see a bridge that’s leading to bullshit, I’m lighting the match.

Why You Wouldn’t: You’re too worried about what people will think. You’re afraid of the fallout, the awkwardness, the “What if I need that bridge someday?” mentality. Spoiler alert: you won’t.

2. Because I Say the Things You’re Too Scared to Say

I’ll call out hypocrisy, corruption, and stupidity, even if it makes people uncomfortable. Especially if it makes people uncomfortable. Meanwhile, you’re over there biting your tongue, hoping someone else will say it so you don’t have to.

Why You Wouldn’t: You’re too busy playing nice, trying to keep the peace, or hiding behind the excuse that “it’s not your place.” Newsflash: it’s everyone’s place. You just don’t have the guts to claim it.

3. Because I’m Willing to Take the Hits

You know why people don’t stand up, speak out, or push back? Because it’s messy. People will come after you, attack you, and try to tear you down. I know that. I’ve lived it. And I keep going anyway.

Why You Wouldn’t: You can’t handle the heat. You want to be liked, to stay out of conflict, to avoid making enemies. But guess what? Staying quiet doesn’t protect you. It just makes you complicit.

4. Because I Refuse to Settle for Fake Harmony

Most of you are out here prioritizing comfort over progress. You don’t want to rock the boat, even when the boat is sinking. You think ignoring the problem will make it go away. Spoiler: it won’t.

Why You Wouldn’t: You’ve convinced yourself that being “neutral” is the same as being “good.” It’s not. Neutrality is just a fancy way of saying you’re too scared to choose a side.

5. Because I Have the Courage to Be Hated

I don’t do what I do to be liked. I don’t care about winning popularity contests. I care about speaking the truth, even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unpopular. And if that makes people hate me? Good. At least it means they’re paying attention.

Why You Wouldn’t: You’re desperate to be liked. You think keeping everyone happy is more important than standing up for what’s right. You’re wrong.

6. Because I’m Willing to Fail Publicly

Here’s the thing about taking risks: sometimes you fail. Sometimes you look stupid. But you know what’s worse than failing? Never trying. Never speaking. Never stepping up.

Why You Wouldn’t: You’re too scared of embarrassment, too scared of getting it wrong, too scared of putting yourself out there. So you do nothing, and then you tell yourself that nothing was the right choice. It wasn’t.

7. Because Someone Has To

The truth is, I do what I do because it needs to be done. The world doesn’t change because people sit around waiting for someone else to act. It changes because people take risks, speak truth, and refuse to back down.

Why You Wouldn’t: You’re still waiting for someone else to do it. Guess what? That someone else is me.

If You’re Offended, Good

If this post makes you uncomfortable, if it stings, if it feels like I’m calling you out personally, that’s because I am. You’ve been sitting on the sidelines, convincing yourself that silence is the safer option. It’s not.

If you’re mad, prove me wrong. Stand up. Speak out. Do something. But let’s be real—you won’t.

Final Thought: Why I Do What I Do

I do what I do because it’s necessary. Because the world doesn’t need more silent bystanders. Because someone has to be willing to take the risks, face the backlash, and speak the truth.

I’m not here to make you comfortable. I’m here to make you think. To make you act. To make you question why you’ve been silent for so long.

If that makes me the bad guy in your eyes, so be it. But at least I’m doing something. Can you say the same?