In today's day and age, your opinion can put you in two different situations: either supported or bashed harshly. We have opinions about almost everything. The type of food you eat, what's in style for clothing, what you think of a person, and of course, our political views. Having a certain view on something is what makes our country so great and what makes us as people so unique. But the sad thing about having an opinion is that it can do more bad than good because who wants to reason with someone who disagrees with them? What can start as a simple debate can turn into an uproar.

It's important to have an opinion and we are taught at a young age that we can think and believe what we want. Our thought and beliefs make up our morals and values which build our character. But today, our opinion has become so harshly critiqued that people do not even want to express their opinions. Some may even just agree to disagree in order to avoid the backlash of having an opposing opinion.

It's seen all the time all over social media. It starts simply with a tweet or Facebook post for example and boom. An uproar of responses appears immediately and suddenly your opinion becomes a question as to why do you think that? That's wrong. I think this and this is right. People can be harsh and although a person may or may not mean to be, words can come off wrong. Look at news broadcasts on TV. A question erupts and two individuals answer a question and immediately it becomes a feud of "You're wrong and I'm right" and so on and so forth.

Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus and by doing so, started a revolution that helped end segregation of blacks and whites. She had an opinion on equality and justice and did not let the influence of others' thoughts affect what she believed was right. Along with her, came Martin Luther King Jr. who spoke about Civil Rights and equality, Abraham Lincoln who abolished slavery, Mahatma Gandhi who practiced peace and non-violent movements, and many others. These people not only made a difference but had strong opinions on topics and did something about it. They did not let others interfere or influence their opinion.

I leave you with this question.
Does your opinion matter?

Is your view on something going to affect others? Is it going to impact the world? While you may think, No, my opinion doesn't matter and no one cares, there is always going to be someone who is impacted by a belief or value you hold. That opinion could then change the world one day.