Too many of us speak through our computer keyboards without thinking, which leads to a battleground when airing opinions on social media.
In today’s society, opinions thrive about everything from politics of gun rights to race, women’s rights to mental health and gender identity to gender rights.
We all have opinions, but it’s more important to be informed instead of just opinionated. The most productive conversations when discussing opposing views are the ones where we can learn from each other, which means that if you’re going to voice an opinion, you should have facts to back it up.
Arguments ensue when we are called out on our opinions, then shout, freedom of speech and how we have the right to voice our opinion. True, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just keep in mind your opinion is not a fact. The right to your opinion does not make your opinion valid.
Useless opinions derive from those who have no stake in the fight or no representation in the decision-making process. The truth is opinions are not facts. Disturbingly, most humans believe that their opinions are facts. They mistakenly believe that their thoughts are correct. I mean, if they think it, it must be true, right?
In the past week alone, there have been many opinions about Deion Sanders leaving his position at Jackson State University (JSU), an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and stepping into the head football coach position with the University of Colorado. Most recently, the prison swap of Brittney Griner for the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout.
A lot goes on behind the scenes with information that spectators are not privy to. Anyone who has been to a Broadway production, or a school play understands that what we see take place on the stage has more to do with the crew behind the scenes.
Like a critic giving rave reviews for a Broadway play, people will cheer for you one day and crucify you the next, ask Deion Sanders, that went from being a hero of sorts at JSU, in some people’s opinion, to a trader. Within weeks the cheers turned to boos, and they wanted to crucify him. Reminds me of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem must have been a dramatic scene. Disciples celebrated him because they were convinced, He was the Messiah, the anointed one sent by God to establish His Kingdom on earth. And within a blink of an eye, the same crowd was against Him because of someone’s opinion. Also, the decision to swap Griner and not former United States marine Paul Whelan was a conversation that took place behind the scenes with facts that determined the outcome.
Remember, the next time you start a post of your thoughts, that a crucial part of life happens behind the scenes while spectator opinions swirl through the grapevines, and then the curtain opens with facts.
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By Rachelle Law
Writer | Author | Blogger
Founder & Director of How Come, How Long
