An opinions overview

We are graced to live in a society in which an opinion is considered the epitome of our own expression. If so, what is an opinion and must it be based on in anything at all?

Our society is very unstable and is in a constant unpredictable change that is dictated by how people feel, act and react in response to an array of situations that in themselves are caused by our own feelings, actions and reactions. Because of this, opinions become a big player in determining what is next step for us as a society.

This is where a line must be clearly outlined. Opinions can easily overpower facts if stated constantly by large groups of people. This can generate an effect that in itself can have very dangerous consequences instead of generating an environment geared towards the challenge of knowledge and persecution of deep thought. This of course happens if the opinion is not only not fact based but, also filled with hate or resentment towards other people by causing negative outlooks and emotions.

This has clearly affected society for as long as it has been one. The thought of being a more elite member of society and looking down on fellow people as unworthy of the very same liberties you enjoy: Freedom, liberty of expression, representation, marriage, safety and many more. Nowadays I like to believe we are getting better. We are not where we need to be yet but, we are moving forward in a very general aspect.

We need to feel empowered to call out these people when they voice their hateful opinions. While opinions are not inherently damaging, their effects can last for years. When an opinion is used to legislate laws, reject people and cause suffering upon a group of people that clearly don´t deseve it those opinions need to be called out. People must be educated by those who can state opinions backed by facts.

The constant dispersion of inherently incorrect opinions can cause other people who are not knowledgeable in these topics to take them as fact. Having no knowledge is usually better than having the wrong one. This is specially true when we take into consideration that in the recent years we have allowed our representatives to express their opinions as facts and drive people toward hate causing all types of disaster in our country from discrimation all the way to criminal actions. As stated early in this text opinions are not inherently damaging. They can be amazing ways to open a conversation or pursue further analysis.

Opinions can result in innovation and marvelous ideas. I believe we should be mindful on how we express ourselves and tactful in the vocabulary we use to convey the feelings and objectives behind our words. We can be the change we need for the future. The future is not in our children. The future is on our shoulders at this very moment. We all contribute something no matter how small we might feel, our voice and actions are always affecting something or someone. Just like a flap of a small butterfly can cause a tornado weeks later, we can create a better future for ourselves and our children.