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Sir,
It is safe to say that we have reached a place where we can have open discussions about an array of issues and fully express our opinions. Social media has enabled us to unashamedly express said views and other trivial information about nothing. Yet, even with the advent of a less rigid society in parts, freedom of speech remains the biggest lie.
Yes, we are told that we need to speak up and share our opinions, proudly even. But if we view the way our society is, we are doing this freedom of speech wrong.
My cousin made a perfect example of this: Some people really think women shouldn’t wear short skirts as this incites rape. If this man were to share his views publicly, he would be met by ferocious responses from people. Yes, his opinion is atrocious, but the way we interact to help this man unlearn this concept is very key in effecting true change.
Z N
Views
The glaring truth is, people have scary views about certain topics. This is merely the fault of their conditioning and lived experiences. But for us to speedily pounce on these opinions by name-calling when they are expressed, is where we fail change. When these opinions are expressed, it’s a great opportunity for us to engage and try to help others unlearn this education that their natural environment first predisposed them.
The more we choose to react with the holier-than-thou attitude, is the more we alienate and solidify their warped views. I know it’s a challenge to take up arms in a subdued manner, but we are living in a world where everyone can have an opinion, so we must stay ready to lead by entering discourse maturely.
Experiences and environments imprint themselves on our conscious as we traverse through Mama Earth, and form the goggles through which we live and interact.
This brings me to another discussion, you can be the most liberal and consider yourself the most open person in the world, but let me tell you this; we all have prejudices to something. You may not be conscious of it, but watch how you react to certain people or statements and that’s where your prejudices lie.