“Hey, can you tone it down a bit?” “Can you just bite your tongue, and let it go?” No, no I can not “tone it down.” I refuse to keep quiet when I feel that my words need to be heard. I will not let others use their words to trample over mine just because they don’t want to hear my opinion. I refuse to be treated as though my opinions don’t matter. My words and my feelings are my own, and I have the right to express them. It’s called the First Amendment, people. I am fully aware that there are people who aren’t going to like what I have to say, and I know that there are people who might feel offended by what I say, but I don’t care. I accept that what I say may come with consequences, and if my words get me in trouble… well, then that’s my own fault. I will be considerate of my words when I know that it’s not the right place to bring up certain topics, but I am not going to roll over and lay down when someone tells me to “shut up” because my opinion is not the same as theirs!
I spent probably three-quarters of my life in a shell. I was shy and very soft-spoken. I avoided sharing my opinions at all, and when I did, I was either ignored or was immediately told that my opinion didn’t matter and that I should just “shut up” and “stop talking.” I accepted that. I accepted people telling me that my opinion wasn’t important. I was made to feel as if my opinions were always wrong. I was actually afraid to give my opinion because of how others treated me when I did give my opinion. It hurt. It really did. It stung. These people might as well have slapped me in the face. At least then, the pain wouldn’t be as bad.
It took me until late high school to start speaking up, but I was still cautious. I was afraid that people would look at me and treat me like I was stupid. I kept my opinions within my bubble of friends. I started giving my opinions to them because I knew that, even if they disagreed with me, they would still treat me with respect.
As I’ve grown, I started speaking my mind more and more. I still consider the possible consequences of what I might say and how people will react, but nine times out of ten, I feel comfortable enough to say what I need to say.
I consider myself to be a very open-minded person, and I try my best to think progressively, even if I don’t necessarily understand something at first. However, not all people are like that. I have argued my points to people, and I don’t back down easily, but I still try to remain respectful. I won’t be told to be quiet just because someone doesn’t like my opinion, and I won’t just walk away so that you feel as though you’ve won. The only time I walk away is if I know I’m talking to someone who is so stuck in their way, there is no point to sharing my perspective.
There is no reason that anyone should be made to “tone it down” when they are simply expressing their opinion, especially if they are talking at a reasonable volume. I don’t yell. I don’t stomp my feet and make a scene, so why should I “tone it down” just because you don’t like my opinion. It’s not going to happen. I am allowed to share my opinion, no matter what anyone thinks, and telling me to “tone it down” or “stop talking” won’t get you anywhere.
To anyone who has dealt with this before, stay strong and hold your head high. Don’t bite your tongue. Speak up and defend your opinions. It is your God-given right!
