If We're Being Honest, I Don't Respect Your Opinion | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

If We're Being Honest, I Don't Respect Your Opinion

There's a difference between having an opinion and being a troll

53
If We're Being Honest, I Don't Respect Your Opinion
Why Changing Opinions Is Hard and What Can Be Done

This is a difficult time for us as a nation. We're more divided now than we've been in decades. Horrible, devastating things are happening both outside and inside our walls daily, and yet whenever I make the (usually stupid) decision to look on the great, vast internet to find out more about what's happening, I get more depressed by the comments than the actual news. I'm sorry, but what? Why? Why on earth should I be angrier and more defensive by looking at the comment section of a news article than the actual article itself? Without fail, every time I go and read these comments, I find at least one internet troll in every thread, and usually these trolls aren't even trying to be trolls: they're just genuinely angry and wicked people who take their own misfortunes out on other people. And then without fail, I always see someone who refutes the troll's words, and then says "but I respect your opinion."

And you know what?

I'm sick of that.

I am so tired of people either backing down from an argument by saying "I respect your opinion," or, vice versa, spewing horrible, mean-hearted words about someone and then following it by saying "but that's just my opinion."

No. You're wrong. It's not "just your opinion." It's your free pass to say whatever you want to say about someone and not get completely obliterated for it.

This has got to stop. As bold as this is, I'm putting my foot down and saying it: I don't respect your opinion. I don't respect your opinion that my race, religion, gender, social class, nationality, etc. is either sub-par or "bad" because you've somehow come up with the notion from biased sources that it is. I can't help what I was born into and taught any more than you can.

But you know what I can help?

Actually going out and learning about other races, religions, nationalities, and cultures instead of trying to close myself off from them. Actually getting my news from a reliable, unbiased source and forming my opinions based on that. It is better to follow what my heart is telling me to say and who to reach out to, rather than my emotions.

The Golden Rule has apparently bypassed much of society today, and that truly saddens me. To see the way people get treated online and things people have said directly to other people online with no basis or facts to justify them is honestly heartbreaking. How is this world ever going to change or improve if we keep pointing fingers?

Newsflash: we're humans. We all suck. We're all sinners. But this constant chaos has to stop, and we can help stop it by knowing this: there is a difference in having an informed opinion, and being cruel and hateful towards others because you're bitter. The sooner we as a society can grasp this concept and quit using the "it's just my opinion" cover, the better off we all will be.

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

20 Things You Forgot To Thank Your Mom For

Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

791
family
Facebook

Dear Mom,

You took care of me and my brothers our entire lives and you still continue to! I will not be able to truly grasp all of the hard work that you put into this family until I create my own one day. But, I know that there are plenty of times I forgot to give you a simple thank you or an appreciative smile. I thank you for everything that you have done for me and will continue to do for me. Here are some examples of those times where you had my back and I forgot to pat your back for saving me:

Keep Reading...Show less
pumpkin
Holytaco.com

College is hard. As people ages 18-22, we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing with our lives, our careers, our eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and other necessities for adult life. We definitely don’t take proper care of ourselves; it’s basically impossible when we have essays, tests and readings due and somehow we’re supposed to eat right, exercise and sleep. We’re doomed to get sick. I have zero experience in science but when I get sick there are certain things I do to make myself better.

Keep Reading...Show less
Bob's Burgers
Hyannishyball

First of all, there is no shortage of fun when you're together.

And you often find yourselves entertaining each others terrible ideas.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

The Unwritten Rules Of "Talking"

What is "talking?" How does one "talk?"

8931
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments