It is a common theme for people to make decisions based on what they were raised around and introduced to by influential figures in life. Many Catholics, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and prejudice individuals are who they are solely because they've been raised that way and not necessarily because they chose that lifestyle for themselves. Many people are also aligned with specific political parties for the same reason, and that has created a great divide among the American people and has also strained relationships.

There are many things I personally used to believe in simply because I was exposed to them at a young age and that was "how things were." I can remember being a Beyoncé super fan or being a huge Barack Obama supporter all because of influence. Overtime I have come to believe in individual thinking and decision making at a much greater level. I pride myself on being an individual and being an ambassador of objectivity. Whenever I hear someone refer to as Donald Trump as Hitler 2.0, call Beyoncé the next coming of Jesus Christ or Obama and (either) Clinton as a savior or the best thing since sliced bread I am inclined to hear why someone believes these things. Most of the responses I get to that question lack sufficient evidence or conclude with the responder stating how they were influenced to believe such a thing. While I choose not to bash someone for this, I do encourage individuals to be individuals and have a mind of their own.

Systematic ways of thinking have taken ideas such as common sense and critical thinking and made them a thing of the past. After all, isn't this why the debate between science and religion has been so large for so long? Don't we have a right to raise questions and challenge ideas without being verbally stoned? Can't I say that I think Christina Aguilera is a better singer than Beyoncé and not have to worry about the Beyhive looking for me? Can't I oppose Hillary Clinton and not be called a woman hater? These are just a few topics that have a great deal of weight to them and it is not certain why. I challenge anyone and everyone to question everything they've been told and taught to believe; every racist, every practitioner of any religion, everyone aligned with a specific political party and every member of the Beyhive should know why they believe in any Idea. If after objectively criticizing your own thinking you still believe in what you believe in, you will truly know who you are. Regardless of your conclusion, you will finally have the answer and be able to tell others why you believe what you believe when asked. Your mind is yours, and no one else has the right to manipulate or control it.