A Teen's Take

POMEROY–People almost never fully agree on one thing, and it’s usually the minor, irrelevant thing people get upset about. Why is that? Why do we take the time to yell and bicker with each other when really, we could just compromise and move on? I understand people have different views on a wide variety of things which exposes other points of view. That’s a good thing.

Being the head-strong person, I am, I defend what I believe in. I don’t become argumentative until people tell me I am being ignorant or stupid or a moron. What’s that all about? Choosing to attack a person’s character and integrity changes the direction of a discussion and stops any chance of a meaningful conversation. I think that is why we can’t solve a lot of problems. Perhaps really listening to the words people say instead of assuming the worst, could keep the conversation going. What harm would it be to opening our minds to a different point of view? It doesn’t mean you have to change your opinion, only if it makes sense to do so.

Isn’t that what social media has given us, a chance to express our opinion and interact in other conversations? People find a topic they either believe in or don’t believe in and make comments about it. What they say is an opinion. Others get a chance to read that post and respond. Some people may agree with your opinion, but some don’t and they express an opposite opinion. It can get heated at times, but people usually come out of it as friends. It’s when people attack others for their opinion with demeaning words–you fill in the blank–that causes a whole flurry of like-minded negative attacks from others that ends the original topic. I don’t like it when people gang up on one person because they don’t like their opinion and insult them, making them look and feel bad.

It is ok to have an opinion; just like they have eyes, a nose, ears, everybody has those things, they are just different. Imagine if we all looked alike. Now, imagine if we all had the same opinion.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week and a safe Labor Day weekend.