In a time as politically divisive as the present, more and more people feel compelled to share their opinions on a wide variety of topics. I, myself, have taken to this platform on more than one occasion to present my stance on a current event or recent issue. After all, freedom of speech is the very first Amendment mentioned in the Bill of Rights, and it is certainly a right that I fully support and believe in.

However, it has come to my attention that people are not only more willing to share their own opinions, but they are also far more likely to condemn opposing opinions as being inaccurate. People who identify as Republicans are quick to shut down the Democratic Party and vice versa, simply because their views do not align. To me, this seems like a wildly unrealistic way to assess the positive and negative aspects of both sides of the political spectrum. Could you imagine dismissing everything I say as being uneducated just because I identify as a Democrat? Neither can I.

Now, more than ever, it is important not to just blindly follow and agree with whatever your political party says. I’m not saying that you should distance yourself from political parties, but you should take the time to read—whether it be articles, newspapers, or books—and educate yourself on the world around you before you are so quick to discount somebody else’s opinion as false merely because you don’t like who they voted for in the presidential election. And when I say “educate,” I mean you should expose yourself to more than the random news articles from vaguely suspicious websites that pop up on your Facebook feed every day.

Regardless of political views, I encourage everyone to inform themselves on current events and social issues, without resorting to blindly supporting whatever stance their political party takes. Contrary to popular belief, ignorance isn’t bliss. Ignorance is a privilege that can only be afforded to those who don’t have to worry about politics or social ideologies that might affect their lives. Ignorance is a sign of mediocrity, and it is a sign that you don’t care about the world around you so long as your own individual rights remain intact.

Does this mean that you should stop criticizing the actions of political figures? No. But inform yourself before you make such criticisms. And don’t insult my intelligence by stating your opinion as fact and expecting me to blindly accept it. The only way we can change the world is through open discussion and conversation. I’m willing to take part in the ongoing narrative of our political climate, but are you?