Since when is it okay for others to not respect the beliefs and views of individuals who have differing beliefs. The 2016 elections have really opened my eyes about the so called “respect” that Americans give one another regarding difference in opinion. When has it been okay to judge someone based on their political stance? To call someone a bigot because they are member of the Republican party? Why is it okay for people to judge the integrity and morality of someone because they support something different then someone else's views? I am sick of seeing my generation being slaughtered by each other for having an opinion that opposes the popular belief.
From an early age we were taught to be respectful and mindful of others religions, ethnicities, and beliefs. We were taught that it was okay to have different viewpoints then the overwhelming majority. We were taught that it was okay to be different. In this day and age we find ourselves supporting political topics that weren’t always viewed so positively. But people are still stuck in the past and can not seem to swallow their pride and open their eyes to what has been reality for many years now.
In order to be a Republican, you have to be racist, anti-gay, pro-life, no gun control, no gender equality, anti-feminist, and overall a bigot. Why does it have to be that way?
The same thing applies to being a Democrat, you have to be go green everything, in support of the LGBTQ community, pro-choice, strict gun laws, feminist, and a liberal. Again, why are we putting ourselves into this box where you are either all the way in or all the way out?
Why do we have to automatically assume everyone's opinion or belief based off of the political party they are affiliated with? And who gets to determine if someone is a good or bad person based off that?
If you know me or watch my Facebook feed, you probably can decipher yourself my political opinion and who I will be voting for come this November. However, I am genuinely afraid to voice my political opinion to the volumes of people that Odyssey allows me to. I know who I am, my family knows who I am, my friends do and I guess in the end that is all what truly matters. But I am constantly told that because of who I am, who I support, and what my political standpoint is, that I will be judged in a harsh manner.
My father tells me everyday to avoid sharing or liking photos or statuses on Facebook that would expose my opinion. He says “future employers or coworkers might see that and not want to hire you based off of it.” While in school, he reminds me not to voice my opinion during class because the professor may not agree and it could affect my grade immensely. You may not agree with what he is telling me but he is only doing so based off of his past experience with certain issues. While it may not be the same generation and times may have changed, I am reminded every day that they really have not.
It is still not okay to have different opinions and it truly does affect your life in more than one way. To me that is not okay. It is not okay that I do not feel like I can openly voice my opinions. It is not okay that I feel as if I would be punished for having a varying opinion then one of my professors. And it’s most definitely not okay for my own generation to outcast me because of my political point of view.
Am I okay that people don’t always agree with me politically? Of course! Do I agree with their opinions most of the time? No. But I still respect and value those who differ in opinions and do not bash them based off of it. I have seen first hand the results of having a strong opinion and to me it is not worth the backlash. But I want to live in a world, more importantly a country, where I do not feel ashamed to speak my opinion. We as American’s need to stop focusing on who supports who and stop judging character based off of that. We as Americans need to support one another and not continue to bash each other. Finally, we as American’s need to stand for what believe in and not feel ashamed for doing so.
