I am a vociferous person. Anyone who knows me, knows I have much to say about anything and everything. Lately trying to write an article has been an unfruitful task. While there is much happening around me, I haven't any idea how to approach the topics at hand.
If the situation presented itself, I could speak knowledgeably about the gorilla enclosure, the Stanford rape trial, the tragic shooting that recently happened in Orlando or even the little boy and the alligator. These are topics that I have done my research on, can form strong opinions that are backed by facts and I can intelligently talk to someone about. But here's the catch. I refrain from writing about them because of how critical the society is of what other people have to say especially if it is not the same as their own opinion. I have many a time seen something on Facebook or in the media that has made me want to speak up but instead I kept to myself. You may ask, "Why? You have every right to say what you need to say." While that may be true, isn't it also true that for someone of my age, 19, will simply be ridiculed by someone that is older and wiser? By no means am I afraid to be ridiculed because it will happen throughout the the rest of my life. What I am saying though is that, whether I am considered a child or an adult, I refuse to have a debate with an adult who is older than me, is close minded and is unwilling to understand my point of view. This happens all to often. Not to me (because of reasons previously stated) but to many other people. It seems that it is difficult for people to post anything on the internet or saying anything because people want to be hateful and shame others for their accomplishments, opinions, hardships and many other reasons.Letting someone put you or your thoughts down is not the way to go through life and neither is keeping quiet.
With all of the hate in this world we should not strip each other of our voices. I should be able to have a voice. Where is my voice? Is it hiding in the corner attempting to avoid conflict? You betcha. I avoid conflict as much as possible because there is still a part of me that is fragile. I am heavily opinionated. I am empathetic. I am a fighter. I will not give up on what I believe but I will not shut out your ideas. I will not leave you voiceless.
Find your voice. Don't be afraid to say what you need to say. Just be prepared for the reactions you will receive from your peers. Don't be silent. Be a voice for the voiceless
