The Truths About Having Your Own Opinion
By: Bianca Leigh
Photo courtesy of: Lyubov Ivanova
All people in this world have their own opinion about something, whether it be about your life or their own. With that, people will gradually start developing their own opinions as they progress in their lives; they may read a book that changes their perspective, or talk to someone who feels social media corrupts our mindset. Whatever it may be, humans will realize sooner or later that there is a wide range of opinions. So, it makes sense to get used to people voicing their opinions, right? Not exactly. Some people feel uncomfortable with the fact that others freely voice their opinions. Your opinion is your own outlook or judgment on a situation going on in the world and no one can stop you from having it.
During former President Donald Trump's presidency there was chaos amongst people because of petty disagreements. I noticed quite often on social media the condemnation of a person’s political views versus someone else’s. People would socially blast someone for saying that they voted for Donald Trump as if it was such a horrible thing to do. Personally, I was not a fan of Donald Trump, but I would never condemn someone for voting for him. If they believed he was a good president, that is their opinion. I have no say in it and neither do you.
During the 2020 election, many people were afraid to truthfully speak on who they were voting for because there was a chance they could be fired from their jobs or even have their personal belongings vandalized. This is similar to how Trump supporters were threatening Biden supporters to vote for Trump with guns and swords. Some would even threaten “to raise the rent” if Biden won. People have forgotten that we have the right to freedom of speech, which allows us to fully express ourselves, but there is a limitation to this.
In downtown Los Angeles, a young woman was beaten by a crowd of Trump supporters because she didn’t support Trump and of her race. The supporters started to follow her around while shoving her and eventually ended up beating her with flagpoles and pepper-spraying her. No one should be treated this way because of their views or race, it is unacceptable. If you do not agree with someone’s views or opinions you should just leave it at that. There is something my grandmother often told me when I was a child:
“You can’t change anyone’s mind unless they want it to be changed.”
Changing people's minds takes dedication and time but, just because you perform these things doesn't mean you'll receive the results you were hoping for.
As a 21-year-old, I have heard a variety of opinions starting from political views to how I should only eat vegetarian food. Meat is well-loved by many people, including myself. Others would proclaim they cannot live without steak or chicken it is delicious, but some can live without it. Vegetarians are people who do not eat meat or any other animal product. I have talked with a good number of vegetarians and understood why they have chosen to stop eating meat. Their reasons may be because animals are being slaughtered daily, the meat is unhealthy or because of their religion. It is helpful to know their reasoning, but this does not mean I’m going to become a vegetarian. Some become angry at the fact that someone does not eat meat and vice-versa. We should be open and willing to listen to someone’s reasoning for doing something, without suggesting they are trying to claim our way is wrong. Be willing to hear opposing opinions.
Religion is an area no one can truly touch basis on because there are many different religions. Some may even suggest that religion is a man-made concept so the government can categorize people into boxes. I am a woman with a strong faith in Jesus Christ. I believe things others might not agree on, but I would never say my religion is better than anyone else’s nor would I say that theirs does not matter. People hold their faith as something sacred and valuable to them, we as humans should be able to respect that without hostility. You should not disregard someone’s faith because you feel it’s an opinion. There are many ways to respond to someone who has a different opinion from yours. This could be done through silence or explaining why you do not agree with them, but you should never respond with violence or arguments.
We have no control over anyone's choices or opinions but our own, we should always have respect. Having respect does not mean that you agree with their opinion, it just means that you acknowledge their opinion.