I’ve hated the shushing noise ever since I can remember. I think it was mostly because I associated it with the rudeness of prudish librarians (which is ironic if you know me and my place of employment during the academic year) but also simply because the actual sound was just irritating.

I can see me now: a chubby little fourth grader, covered in temporary tattoos, sitting in the library trying to get through the latest Junie B. Jones book. It sounds cute but I low-key had an issue with authority back then. Because you better believe if I dog-eared the page to talk to a friend and got shushed, I copped an attitude real quick.

Today, I still hate the shushing noise; it’s impersonal (you can shush someone without ever having to interact with them) it’s rude (you could just politely ask folks to be quiet) and it’s falsely authoritative (like, who are you to shush me, boo?)

I know some of you are wondering where exactly I’m going with this and, don’t worry, you can exhale now: I am not dedicating this entire article to my abhorrence for shushing. I think my little pet peeve is really just a reflection of my refusal to be silenced and the annoyance I feel when people attempt to silence me.

Don't get me wrong: I understand that there are moments when I should speak and when I shouldn't. I know that free speech is indeed free but also comes with consequences regardless. It's important to know when to speak up and out and when to stay silent. However, it is harmful to avidly practice silencing others when you feel they don't need to speak. I walk into almost every situation of conflict expecting to be silenced. This isn't because I love playing the victim (which is an assumption that is projected upon me as another way to silence me) this is simply because it's almost human nature for us to shut down an opposition rather than seeking to understand its basis. Instead of trying to comprehend why someone could possibly think differently than you do or break rules that you've constructed for your own personal morale, you're more often than not going to jump to the conclusion that they are wrong and that they should be quiet because they are wrong.

I have a problem with this.

I disagree with a lot of people I know. I see issues in a lot of people's actions as I am sure they see issues iin mine. But it's never the right decision to attempt to silence someone because you feel they are living or acting the wrong way, or saying the wrong things. You can express that you don't agree with their decisions and choices, but that's what you need to stick to: an expression of opposition. Back up your expression with facts and figures, even a nice bedazzled pie chart, but we've got to stop silencing others. The very act of silencing others is a power play and I'm not sure if your mama broke the news to you yet or not but: you're not better than anyone else.

I think the biggest example of silencing I've seen in a long time is the hashtag #AllLivesMatter.

Not only is this hashtag laughable because all lives haven't mattered in America in a while now (and no, your anecdotal "I love everyone" speech doesn't speak for all of America but nice try) but also the hashtag only just appeared after the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was created and began trending. So, was the purpose of #AllLivesMatter to spread love and peace to a world of turmoil just in the nick of time? Or was it created to discredit #BlackLivesMatter thus, attempting to silence the cries of those who are affected by racism in America? I'll let you decide. It is, in fact, your right to decide.

Whatever your decision may be remember: It's important to know when it is your place to speak and be silent and it is indeed your choice, but it is never your job to silence others.