When you take a look at today's media, both corporate and social, it's quite obvious that there is an emphasis on being heard. Everyone has an opinion on every topic you could ever think of, and the sharing of those opinions have evolved from simple table conversation to viral videos and Facebook dissertations. Yes, we as a society have become increasingly aware of the importance of speaking out, shedding light on injustice and letting our government on all levels know what we care about and want. However, it seems as though more and more people are "sharing" their opinions on different matters less out of wanting to improve our society for the better and more out of just wanting to be right and prove others wrong.
Letting someone else into your worldview is vital, as it allows other people to see an aspect of the world in a different light. As we are all unique people with different life experiences, we all have unique worldviews, and I do believe that it is important that those are shared with others. We must remember that a crucial part of the equation is someone listening and learning about the other's point of view. Listening. Crazy concept right? And I don't meant listening just enough to form a response so that you can prove that their worldview is wrong. I'm talking about intentionally listening, taking in the words they have to say, processing through their life experiences and seeing how much different they are from your own, and learning something new about the world from what they have to say. But, when everyone starts screaming their ideas and opinions at the top of their lungs, doesn't that make it a little hard to hear anything?
People are shattered, broken, hurting, crying out and screaming until their voice goes hoarse, wondering if anyone is ever going to hear their cries. But with those cries amidst the screaming of opinions left and right, it all just starts to seem like white noise, and no one gets heard. We must understand that if we want to eradicate injustice, we have to be slow to speak and quick to listen. We must listen to the victims of discrimination, the victims whose lives and bodies have been taken advantage of, the victims of broken systems, the people who are viewed as just statistics and not really people. We must stop speaking for them and start listening to what they have to say, their worldview, and their ideas on how to take care of the problem. If we're too busy yelling about how we're right our how our party has the right idea and everyone else is wrong, then it becomes impossible to listen.
Everyone has the desire to be heard, and that is not an evil desire. We all have important views and ideas that need to be shared. It becomes a problem when our desire to be heard takes away some else's ability to be listened to. We must take initiative. We must set aside our pride. Our society says that we must prove ourselves no matter the cost, even if that means belittling someone else. We must understand that we don't actually know all of the answers. Only God does. I encourage you to start listening, really truly listening, to what others have to say. You'll be amazed at what can happen when you stop trying to yell over top of everyone else and actually start to hear again.
