There is a difference between educated and opinionated. This may seem obvious, but to put it bluntly, people often confuse the two. The concept is dangerous. Everyone can have opinions. Anyone can be educated. The difference lies within the mind. If a person is close-minded, it seems that they most likely fall into the category of opinionated. The opposite can be said for the open-minded person.

For the opinionated, there is a limited definition of the world. Everything that can be thought or done is narrowed to an opinionated individual. There lies a mold that forces to place ideas and interpretations of the truth into a particular shape. In a world that is forward thinking, an opinionated mind feels threatened. This seems to lead to an authoritative view on respect. This may seem radical, but respect is treating people like they are human beings. For those that feel threatened by open-mindedness, they view respect as treating people like they are less than themselves.

For the open-minded person, opinions are placed to the side. The impact of the world for them comes from trying to understand others. They chose to educated themselves towards the thoughts and viewpoints of those around them. Though they might not agree with the "opposing" viewpoint, they show respect by treating others around them like they are people. The open-minded seem to embrace understanding. They are not afraid of forward thinking. They wish for understanding. Regardless of viewpoints and political standing, being open-minded results in respecting people as people and nothing less than that.

In my limited experience in life, I have seen both types of people. Educated or opinionated often are confused as being one and the same. When discussing different viewpoints, one should never be berated for seeing things from a different lens. Berating does not promote respect or consideration. It promotes agitation and restraint. It is no longer about understanding but what the opinionated see as right and wrong.

I have met so many different types of people in my life and even more so in my college experience. I have noticed that differences in those around me, when embraced, promotes conversations that create discussions and memories that are precious and celebrated by those involved. Differences are seen as items that ornate and articulate the beauty of the person. They do not dirty or belittle the human being. As we come together as a group to understand and appreciate one another, our lives are enriched.