Being 19 years young, I have been called naïve. I have been told I am ignorant. I have been discredited by many and brushed off as having “absurd” feistiness in high school. For a while, I was ashamed to be blunt and forward. I thought sharing my opinion was a bad habit which ladies kept to themselves. It wasn’t until I was surrounded by my lovely sorority sisters that I realized well-behaved women seldom make history. If you think I am obnoxious, try putting 400+ girls with “type A” personalities and killer confidence into one room — you’ll have your world rocked. While some are more vocal than others, it’s the point that we stay informed to discuss what is happening in our world today, which matters.

Kim Kardashian recently made headlines for her controversial nude photos being published in the magazine Paper, for the winter 2014 spread accompanied with the hashtag, #breaktheinternet. Some have praised Kim for her post-baby body, while others criticized the mom for posing nude. Let me be the first to say, I believe a person’s body is their own and what they do with their body is their choice. However, I will criticize Kardashian though on her attempt to be considered internationally newsworthy. She took it upon herself to start a hashtag that insinuates her naked body is worth sharing to so many that it would physically break the Internet. How disappointing. Kardashian has 22 million Instagram followers, 25.9 million Twitter followers, and an infinitude of TV viewers spreading her message worldwide. She has the opportunity to reach a countless number of people and she chooses her message to consist of nothing. Literally nothing — she’s naked. 

While nudity and champagne did have everyone talking, why didn’t the tragedy of two sophomore girls committing suicide earlier this month in Olathe, Kansas, not? Or the fact that the Republican Party took the Senate? Or that an estimated 8 million Americans suffer from eating disorders daily? While I want to shame Kim Kardashian for choosing to use her influence for self-interest and publicity, I can’t. Concerns regarding suicide, race relations, human trafficking, politics, sexual/drug abuse, same-sex marriage, religion etc. are frowned upon to discuss honestly. People are educated on gossip and the latest trends, but can’t hold a conversation with substance and legitimate meaning because that would require an effort to stay informed. Today's culture disapproves of us articulating controversial topics amongst ourselves, classmates, teammates, family members, social media outlets, etc. 

Society doesn’t let us debate and speak openly because God forbid you offend someone. But this makes no sense to me, because how can I form my own opinion as an individual, without listening to others? Respecting contrasting views and discussing these topics plainly could potentially lead to a solution. And a world with one less troubled person is a world I hope to say I contributed to. I challenge my readers to #breaktheinternet but for different reasons. Voice your opinion, and actively listen to others, because while you might read the list above and think none of those apply to you, I am willing to bet that it applies to someone you know. This article is not to bash Kim Kardashian. It is an article to embolden our society to use their voice with the belief it could potentially change another. 

I don’t want to be famous, but I do want to be a role-model. And since I am 19 and opinionated, I encourage others to find their own voice. It’s the only time in your life it’s accepted to be “naïve” and “ignorant”. And that’s quite rewarding.