One Change That Will Make Your Voice Stronger | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

One Change That Will Make Your Voice Stronger

A guide to choosing your battles and navigating political arguments.

14
One Change That Will Make Your Voice Stronger
illimitable men

It goes without being said that the 2016 election has brought about more havoc within society than anyone ever could have anticipated. Sadly, it seems as though this year has been punctuated by more hateful, angry conversations than any other. Estranged relatives are becoming the norm, and a lot of friends are losing contact as a result of political disagreements. I think this can be partially attributed to the fact that many of us get so riled up by politics that we're unable to decipher the right and wrong time to express our opinions.

When the entire nation is so divided, it's easy to want to attack and/or defend every comment that anyone says within your immediate proximity. The truth? The more frequently you vocalize your difference in opinion, the less powerful your words become.

I've learned this the hard way. I'm a very passionate, opinionated person -- a quality that doesn't always suit the likings of other people. For a while, especially during the election, I felt that it was my duty to speak up about what I believe in. I felt that with so much rampant hate visible in the world, I couldn't just stand by while that hate was perpetuated.

To a certain extent, that's not a bad mindset to have. The country needs more people to speak up who haven't necessarily felt comfortable doing so in the past. Those voices are so important right now. But for those of us who have not been shy about our beliefs, it's crucial to understand that you can't fight every battle.

I am the first to admit that this is hard. I recently heard someone make a huge generalization about people of color, followed by a sexist remark. I didn't know what to do. Should I address both remarks and risk being perceived as ridiculous and (since I'm a woman) shrill to the receiver? Should I choose to address only one of the remarks? Should I ignore both and go about my day?

I think the most effective way to navigate these decisions is to consider the person you're speaking to. And, in my experience, there are two main categories that a person can fall into.

The first type of person, which I like to believe most of us are, is the reasonable human being. People who you love and respect are another sector of this group. In this case, if the comment is severe enough, I would suggest calmly expressing your own opinion. If they are truly reasonable, or if they love and respect you back, they'll probably be willing to hear your opinion. (Although, if the comment is minor or incredibly obscure and you know they didn't mean any harm from it, sometimes it's best to let it go.)

On the other hand, we have the aggravator. Meaning, is this person known to get a rise out of people? Another sign is if he or she is prone to bringing up politics to unsuspecting strangers.

More and more, I've been trying to distinguish between these two personas and plan my responses accordingly. Of course, there are exceptions to every situation (like if the comment is appallingly offensive), but for the most part, I try to avoid getting into heated conversations with people who aren't worth my time. Because, in all likelihood, they're not going to change their minds anyway.

It's still uncomfortable sometimes and I get agitated staying silent, but since I've limited my responsiveness, I've managed to conserve a lot of energy. Debating with someone who is unwilling to consider other perspectives and is fueled by another person's aggravation is extraordinarily draining. Similarly, if we all responded to every Facebook post that we disagreed with, we'd be remarkably sleep deprived.

I've found that when I limit my battles -- when I try to remain calm and put in my two cents where they count -- my opinion is more respected than if I pounced on every little trivial detail. It's great to stand up for what you believe in, but like anything, there is a time and a place and, in this case, a person. Not everyone is worth your time and energy. The sooner this is recognized, the sooner your voice will be valued. And that's a pretty good feeling.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times "Parks and Recreation" Summed Up Your Library Experience

"I've only slept nine hours over the past four days, so I'm right on the verge of a nervous breakdown." - Leslie Knope

1750
Parks and Recreation excitedly gathered around a laptop at a table in an office setting.

The library. Club lib. The place every college student goes when they want to try and be a productive member of society. Who better to explain your experience than Parks and Rec?

1. When you've finally found the energy to leave your dorm room and walk into the lib like

Keep Reading...Show less
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

27457
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

11626
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments