As a child I remember not agreeing with a lot of the goings on around me. When I voiced my opinion I was told I was too young to have an opinion. I remember as a teenager I was taught everyone had a right to their opinion. We have an inalienable right to voice; our viewpoints. Then I became an adult. I soon learned having my own opinion and the right to voice that opinion were not the same thing. Not only is that, voicing an opinion to the world not all it’s cracked up to be.
The news stories as of late have been mostly about how we feel about situations that are really none of our business. Top news has been about celebrities in elevators; children in bed with adults; Broadway shows with actors that don’t fit the role. We then spend the next day’s talking about it on social media. Doing what? Voicing our opinions.
First of all when did the real news get to be so boring that this is what passes for news nowadays but we can tackle that another day? But foremost, when did we get to be so nosey? Why are we in everyone’s affair? Why do we have to have a voice on everything yet, we act on nothing? Sure you feel strongly about Willow in bed with a man seven years older than she is. But when the day is over she has two parents. Who cares what we think right?
Recently, the world reacted to Michael Sams’ kiss with his partner. There were mixed reactions. Who is allowed to have an opinion nowadays? I could throw out a few scenarios but the truth is, if you do not agree with popular public opinion you are labeled as someone that is less than “acceptable” in society. This label is often taken to the most extreme. Say one thing society does not like and it negates everything you have done before. Those few seconds your mouth was busy writing a check your behind couldn’t cash can ruin you. And worse, because of the internet and social media it can live forever. It can even appear as it happened just yesterday.
In the case of Mr. Sams, we are told if we have a problem with this kiss we are bigots. Really? It couldn’t be: “I was watching this with my child and we have not had the sex talk yet” or “We are Christians and it’s against our belief system. WAIT!? Not that last one? Is that an “OPINION”?!
In the past few months we saw the Benham brothers fired from HGTV. Because they are Christians and to not agree with the homosexual way of life, they were cast aside and told their opinion; their way of life did not matter. Are they not allowed to have an opinion because of their religious beliefs? We also saw “Duck Dynasty” almost become a memory because of their beliefs and opinions in this same area. Why is their opinion less worthy than those who have a different belief? Are they not allowed to have different opinions? Or is it just okay to have an opinion as long as you don’t act on it?
Ah and then there is Donald Sterling. This is a man that has memories of a time when people of color were not to be associated with. You were looked down on if you had “those types” of friends. But now, he is being forced to sell his team because of private conversations, taped without his knowledge or permission because of what he was raised to believe. The world he grew up in is not the same as you or I. We don’t have his perspective, so why do we HAVE to understand him? Is it right to have to sell your business because of what you say when no one is supposed to be listening? Would you still be employed tomorrow if your private conversations were broadcast for the entire world to see? Does everyone agree with everything you think or say? Do you want to live in a place where everyone thinks everything you say is golden but your neighbor could be left penniless for not agreeing?
How about the New Hampshire sheriff that refused to apologize for calling the president the “n” word? He feels this way. This is his truth. We are told to “live our truths.” Should it be his truth? No, not to me, but is it my right to tell him how to live? Is it my job to chastise him for not holding the same opinion that I do? I thought the differences we hold; good, bad or indifferent, made us individuals? Is he rude? YES!! Should he say what he said in the way he said it, NO!! But, it is his right to say what he wants. If the people that elected him don’t like it, they can exercise a new vote. It’s very simple.
The KKK marched recently in Atlanta, Ga. They did not disrupt. They didn’t hurt anyone. They expressed their opinions and beliefs. Do I like the KKK? No! Do they have a right to their opinion? YES! It is protected by the Bill of rights, just like yours!
There is an old episode of “The Twilight Zone” that discusses this very thing. A man is tired of hearing all the excuses and small talk and everyday “crap” that goes on with regular life. He shuts everyone out.
It doesn’t work. He changes everyone into a version of himself. That also fails.
Only when he realizes we all have a contribution to this world, does he find his happiness. Yes we can help each other to “the right thing” but who gets to say what the “right thing” is?
An opinion is just like a nose. We all have one. Sometimes it’s smells very well. Other times, not so much. Thankfully we can change the look of our noses with rhinoplasty or by using make-up but it’s still a nose. It’s the same as, no matter what you do, you are who you are until someone or something has an effect on you that changes who you are. Just like your nose and your opinion.
If you don’t agree with my opinion on this, I’m sure you will be writing. Just remember, it doesn’t mean my opinion is wrong it means we disagree. We can do that you know? Grown-ups do it all the time. They do what’s called ‘agree to disagree’. What you learn from your fellow man may not be they are a pillar of the community but there is something to be learned from everyone. You don’t have to associate with everyone you see but it would be nice if we tried to respect them. People respect you when you respect yourself.
Rest in peace to my opinion. I know it’s not popular but it’s all mine!
by Karmel