I strongly agree that everyone has the right to their own opinion, and the right to share that opinion. So, now I shall share mine. I am a strong liberal. I am voting for Hillary Clinton, and I am very, very, strongly against Donald Trump. If you disagree, I have no issue with that. Opinions are opinions, and our government wouldn't run if people didn't disagree. - I prefer regulation/services like free healthcare to be provided by our government to all citizens, no matter their financial status. - I believe that our government should give more services to the less fortunate (healthcare) and increase the taxes if at all necessary. We the people, should look towards out government for structure and support. The laws are enacted to protect everyone, and for us to continuously have an equal society, sometimes it should be at the expense of our freedom (if necessary). - I also believe that high income earners should have higher taxes. The more you earn, the more you should be taxed. - All people no matter what sexual orientation or gender identity should have the right to marry. Equal rights are a necessity. - People of transgender experience should have the right to use whatever bathroom they identify with. - Abortions need to be legal, everywhere. I 100% support embryonic stem cell research also. I have come in contact with many, many people who oppose my personal beliefs, but one in particular has seemed to spark hatred more than discussion. When it comes to family, it is different. Whenever I am at family a reunion, Christmas party, or general gathering, the one thing my mom always says to me is "whatever you do, do not bring up politics". She says this particular when my Aunt from North Carolina is up north for family related reasons. I have confronted her many times. Twice, it has been completely blown out of proportions. One time, it ended up in blocking me on Facebook, the other, which was just yesterday, resulted in her unfriending me on my old Facebook. Recently, I logged back into my old Facebook from middle school. I noticed that my Aunt, the one from North Carolina, was still friends with me on it (she blocked me on my newer Facebook). So, scrolling through my news feed, I stumbled across so many rude and disrespectful articles about the 2016 presidential race that she had shared. Now don't get me wrong, there are a lot of articles about this certain topic on every form of social media, but this was over the top. So, I commented on the posts she shared, but with my own opinion. Immediately, she responded rudely. Here are a few of the things she has said, that quite frankly, I have a problem with. Not because she is sharing her own views, but in the demeanor she is doing so.
Now, to the real reason I am writing this blog post. "Caroline is my 18 year old niece so take it with a grain of salt" The quote above is the reason I have decided to even more publicly share what has happened. This has happened more than once, and it is unacceptable. My opinion MATTERS. Yes, I am 18 years old, but I can legally vote, I have a license, and I am old enough to form an opinion. I am capable of holding that opinion, and for her to say "take it with a grain of salt" really made me angry. So, I have decided to turn this into something that could possibly help someone who encounters another person who doesn't think their opinion is valid, or that doesn't think that they, as a person, matter in any form. 1. Your opinion ALWAYS matters, as long as you present it in a mature way that isn't threatening or rude. 2. "Kill Em' With Kindness". I knew that I wouldn't "win" the hypothetical argument my aunt was putting forward, so I just stopped commenting and didn't treat her any different. 3. REMEMBER! Social media is not 100% private! Most people can see what you post, and sometimes that can ruin friendships, cause youth to have their views affected by bias, and cause issues in the workplace, family, etc. Use with caution! 4. Lastly, never let anyone put you down the way my aunt has put me down, even thought she doesn't understand that. People will be rude, mean, and not understanding, but as long as you remember how important you are, everything will be just okay. Anyways, this article was a little different than my normal articles I post, but when life gives you lemons, you might as well use them.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
Caroline Loftus "Our shoes are tattered and torn, but our feet are dry. As for our places in history, we will run naked through your streets before we sit decorated in your halls." Archives
January 2017
Categories
All
|