Opinions Are Not Facts: Why It Is Important To Share Your Opinion | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Opinions Are Not Facts: Why It Is Important To Share Your Opinion

It can be super scary to share your opinion, but it matters in the broader discussion

5414
Opinions Are Not Facts: Why It Is Important To Share Your Opinion
blog.cengage.com

As a person who strives to please everybody and avoid disappointing people at all costs, speaking my mind is really difficult. In fact, I would wager speaking one’s mind is a challenge for a lot of people. I think it is also safe to say it is hard to share your opinion on something without insulting or offending someone. You may even be thinking “It’s not my place to have an opinion” on a certain issue. We’re progressing into a world where it seems everyone is claiming their opinion as fact and anyone who disagrees is just wrong, plain and simple.

The beautiful thing about having an opinion (and sharing it) is the ability to learn and decide if your opinion is still your opinion down the road. I am the last person to want to bring up something controversial or discuss a hot topic and I find oftentimes when someone shares an opinion I don’t agree with, I’ll agree anyway for the sake of avoiding conflict. I would like to note that this is NOT okay. Each opinion matters, whether it is popular or not.

One of the biggest reasons why I rarely ever share my opinion on a controversial or heavy issue is that I deeply fear being told I’m part of the problem. I hear people tell other people they are “part of the problem” all the time. The phrase, or insult, is tossed around like a volley ball at the beach. This kind of dialogue creates a tense, hostile environment where it seems more and more people decide it’s better to keep quiet. When that phrase hits my ears, all I can see are pointed fingers. Since when has anger and the “blame game” ever solved anything?

I think it is also important to realize that not having an opinion is not a bad thing. Because we are having so many discussions lately on topics that are loaded and often feel like a war zone, I feel like I am judged for not having an opinion when everyone else seems to have one already. Most of the time when I don’t have an opinion it is that I’m still not sure what is right or wrong in the situation, if there even is a right and wrong, that is. It means I’m still listening and paying attention and deciding how I feel after I’ve heard how everybody else feels.

The number one reason I rarely ever share my opinion on a controversial topic is that I’m not even sure my opinion is right. I’ll be so close to opening my mouth and then I’ll think, “Am I only thinking this because I’m a privileged white girl who has had a relatively easy life?” As soon as I think this, I shut my opinion down and automatically discount it. What I’m going to say next is the most important part of my rant and if it offends anyone I am truly, sincerely sorry: I personally feel like my opinions shouldn’t be disqualified, downsized, criticized, or tossed away due to the privilege I was born into. I am not going to deny it and say my privilege hasn’t affected how I think about and see the world, because it definitely has. Why should that make my thoughts, opinions, and beliefs less valuable to the broader social dialogue? I am constantly being told to “check my white privilege at the door” but I don’t even know how to separate myself from it. I can’t tell what is me and what is my privilege. I want people to be happy, to have a shot at love, to have equal job opportunities and to be credited where credit is due. I want less hate and more love, but I fear I think about it all too simplistically or idealistically because I’m sheltered and privileged.

Having an opinion, as I have said earlier, is beautiful because it is due to change. Life is about learning and changing and people change their opinions all the time. Admitting you’re wrong is nothing to be ashamed of, and no matter how well you phrase your thoughts you are possibly going to offend someone. It’s inevitable. Regardless of whether someone’s opinion comes off as ignorant, rude, or xenophobic, they have a right to their own opinion. This is often forgotten but it is true. There are many opinions out there I think are absolutely horrible, but I’m not that person, I don’t know how they think or what they’ve experienced as a human being on this planet, but their opinion still matters and they have a right to share it.

In conclusion, sharing your opinion, if or when you have one, is vital to the evolution and progression of the social movements in our society. All voices matter when trying to find the right path to love and acceptance. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel like you probably shouldn’t share your opinion, ask yourself why that is. Is it that you’re not sure if your opinion is really your own or is it that you aren’t in an environment that feels open enough to hear it? Regardless, no matter what your gender is, where you come from, what your race or ethnicity is, how you identify yourself, what your religion, spirituality or beliefs are, who you are friends with, who your family is, how much money you have, or what you have or haven’t experienced in your life, your opinions still matter and deserve to be heard. There are a lot of complicated things going on in this world, but I think this is pretty damn simple.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

621
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1688
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments