I often see people get into very heated Facebook fights over current events or a shared article expressing opinion on a social issue. Even more often than this, I see the opinion of conservative thinkers oppressed. Stifling the opinion of others simply because you don't agree is never okay. I think this is something we can all agree on in principle. In practice, I don't think we all really achieve this. I see a lot of my timeline say that there should be equality in voicing opinion, but once someone who thinks differently speaks up, they try to yell louder or tell the other person to shut up.
In the midst of such hypocrisy, I question if the thought that all opinions are equal is just something that we say to make ourselves feel better about getting the chance to say what our opinions are. Is it only a blanket for our insecurities? Why is it that we are so upset when the stifling of our opinions happens, but when it happens to our fellow human we are not equally disturbed? Does this then mean that all lives in fact don't matter?
When conservative thinkers are offended, they often throw up the defense of "what happened to civility?" or "there needs to be decorum in conversations." These are valid questions. I just find it hypocritical that these kinds of phrases are thrown in an emotional defense, but they plead with liberal friends to have emotion-less conversations surrounding issues that affect them very personally.
Not too long ago, I had a Facebook friend make a status that people who engage in "political, ethical, religious" debate should be able to have these discussions without being emotional once they are disagreed with. I disagree with that. These topics are rooted in emotion. I think that our passions need to shine through when we express ourselves, life is too short to not be passionate. I went on to notion that emotion and reason are not mutually exclusive, that decorum needs to be had with each party of the conversation, and most importantly that, "Civility is not one-sided so as to only protect Conservative thought, but there should also be some human capacity for empathy that if you see your words have harmed a brother or sister, that you console them, not defend your position solely because you are justified to have an opinion."
I implore you as you go about having discussion around things that affect the everyday lives of so many people, you consider yourself in that situation. I encourage everyone to listen and read the different perspectives with the intent of understanding, not arguing. I think this will not only make us wiser, but more empathetic and compassionate. The world needs more compassion not hate speech.
