This week, a thing is going to happen: We are going to choose our new president. Let’s take a moment to talk about the gravity of that last statement. We are going to choose our new president. Who are we to be making this decision? We’re just people. However, we live in a society in which we’ve been gifted with the privilege to elect our own leader. Although we are certainly allowed to complain about our choices and be dissatisfied, let’s not forget how truly amazing this concept is.
We could live in a society in which the government just makes this decision for us, and we have to deal with it. Or, we could live in a society with no government and exist in total anarchy. Remember, it could always be worse. When we take a step back and look at the big picture, we are reminded how truly lucky we are.
Moving forward, I hope every person feels comfortable sharing his or her opinion, as I feel every person should be able to. If I’ve witnessed any trend during this presidential election season, it is that although some people are extremely comfortable sharing their opinions, not everyone is.
Being vocal is fine. I want you to be vocal. It may get a little loud, but that’s OK. The problem doesn’t lie in volume, it lies in feeling that what you have to say is more important than what others have to say. I’d like to serve as your friendly neighborhood wake-up call today. What you have to say is not more important than what anyone else has to say. You don’t have to agree with everyone. You don’t have to completely understand what they’re saying or have experienced all they have in life. You don’t have to convince anyone they’re wrong and you’re right. You are more than welcome to educate people. Please do. However, let them think what they want to think.
I think this is why many people keep quiet. They may think if they stay quiet, their opinions are protected. Is this the idea we want to perpetuate? Why should we have to assume that opening our mouths opens us to bad attitudes, ruined friendships or hateful Facebook comments? If we’ve learned anything since the dawn of time, it’s that humans generally have a hard time avoiding conflict. We get mad and start fighting, be it physically or verbally. It’s time we recognize that harmonious living does not have to mean agreeing with each other. It’s all about respect.
We are not all going to agree. That is just the reality of the world. In a bipartisan system, there are two viable sides to nearly every issue. That’s why we vote. If it were abundantly obvious that one side was completely correct and the other was completely incorrect beyond a shadow of a doubt, then we would not have to vote. There would be no reason for political parties, elections or opinions in general. This would certainly make for less animosity, but I don’t think we’d be better off.
Opinions are what separate humans from robots of political theory. Talk about why you believe what you believe. Listen to others. Keep your mind open. If you believe so strongly in something, it should be able to withstand hearing some opposing views. Be rational. We’re all trying to make the world a better place, right? There has to be more than one way to do it. No single person’s ideas will likely be enough to do what we have to do. Collaboration is necessary, so let’s collaborate. Share your thoughts, but please extend others the same courtesy.
Taylor Cavaliere is a UF psychology and journalism sophomore. Her column appears on Mondays.
