I always find myself squirming in my seat whenever a controversial topic gets brought up. No matter if it’s just a casual discussion among my friends or a heated debate with peers, I just become completely uncomfortable and can’t seem to force words out of my mouth. But that’s not because I know nothing about the topics being discussed, or I am just uninterested, it is actually the complete opposite.

So this is why I don’t like speaking up.

I absolutely hate having to thoroughly explain to someone why my opinion is as so, only for this person to still be unable to see things from my perspective in the end. They don’t by any means have to agree with the end point of my reasoning, but I just want them to understand my path of getting there. As I’ve grown older I have realized the importance of seeing things from other’s point of view. Everyone as an individual sees and handles things differently, and that’s fine and I am completely okay with that.

Everyone is entitled to their own set of beliefs and values and thoughts, just as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I do not believe that we are entitled to deem other’s opinions as being “wrong”. It is fine to disagree for whatever reasons of your choosing, but being told you are wrong for having an opinion of your very own, which can be difficult at times, doesn’t sit well with me. Opinions aren’t as simple as a multiple-choice test; you can’t just mark it wrong because that’s not the answer on the answer key. Life doesn’t give us an answer key when it comes to issues involving morals and ethics and values, so who are we to act as a grader?

Lastly, I don’t like speaking up over controversial topics because I, in general, don’t enjoy arguing, and I have found it is difficult to talk about such topics without doing so. Something about screaming and yelling in an attempt to get your point across doesn’t entice me. Nor do I believe that is the correct way to handle things. I do understand that not all debates over issues end up in a heated argument, but I guess I am just scared that that’s where the conversation I happen to jump to will land.

I do believe that everyone’s opinion is valuable and deserves to be heard, and I do enjoying hearing other's people thoughts and opinions, but mine I would rather just keep to myself.