Let’s face it. We all think we are right about every opinion we have. We don’t like to be told that we are wrong. We don’t like to hear the whole, “I told you so”, speech that most of our parents and friends give us. No matter how much we try to fight it, we can’t. Being right about everything is a never-ending battle. That doesn’t mean that we all have to argue about every opinion we have, though. We all have a right to speak freely about how we think or feel about a particular subject.
More recently, I have noticed that I am being shut down because of my political preferences. Why does this bother me? Because I can’t even speak up for myself, I don’t have the opportunity to be heard, to be understood, or to even participate in discussion in the classroom and outside of the classroom. I don’t agree with the majority of my peers, friends, and some loved ones. But why should I be silenced for having a different opinion than everyone else? What gives them the right to completely shun me and ignore my ideas, just because they don’t agree?
Usually things like this don’t bother me; I am used to being the misunderstood one. However, it’s becoming more and more obvious to me as to why I am being completely left out. Everyone believes they are right, and that I am wrong. Here’s the fun part, though: you can’t be right or wrong about an opinion. I can say my opinion and know that I am neither right nor wrong, and I am not ashamed of being the minority. But let me be very clear. That does not give someone the right to judge me, or belittle me in any way. I give everyone a fair opportunity to express their opinion, but then they judge me on my own? How is that fair to both parties?
Let me give an example. The majority of my peers are voting for Bernie Sanders. Their opinion is that he will be the greatest president ever. I disagree with their opinion of him. That doesn’t mean I am right--I just disagree. Yet every time I try to express said opinion, it either turns into an argument with a toddler or I am just told, “We’re going to move on and talk about something different.” That is where I think the situation is wrong.
This article is not meant to dictate my opinions, beliefs, or anything like that. This article is meant to merely educate people. The message I want to send to everyone is very simple: I will speak my opinion because I am entitled to that right. I refuse to be ignored and shut out any longer. I will not be arguing with anyone over the opinions that I have, but I also will not be publicly bashed by peers and loved ones just because I don’t agree with what you “think” is right. Neither party is technically correct. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so here’s mine.
