Freedom of speech is a right to be enjoyed but it comes with the responsibility of taking accountability if your words cause harm. In our world today; say one wrong thing and you are likely to be cancelled! Utter a different opinion online and strangers want to burn you at the stake. Being politically correct and practicing respectability politics seem to be the order of the day. Many an actor/actress; athlete, famous person or just a regular guy have had to deal with the backlash of careless twitter fingers, ill timed or tone deaf posts! You express your opinion online or just in the public domain at your own peril; or so you can be lead to believe. If you want to be understood; you must seek to understand. So being open to different points of view becomes oh so important. We are all unique and have different experiences but to get a balanced perspective; it is helpful to walk around in the other person’s shoes.
A disagreement is not an invitation for disrespect!
Imani Cohen – @HoodHealer
It is absolutely ok to disagree; what is not ok – is to be utterly disrespectful. You don’t need to malign someone’s character or hit below the belt because of a difference of opinion. A disagreement is not an invitation for disrespect. Walk away at the first sign of it. Absolutely stay clear of it; whatever you do; don’t engage if it is going to cost you your peace or leave you open to attacks. It’s more important to have your peace than to be right.
If you make an effort to see other points of view and open yourself up to a different perspective; you may actually create a balanced view. It won’t always be easy but like most things; it can get easier with practice. So practice being open, be a little bit more willing to hear the other person out. It doesn’t mean you will agree; or change your opinion; it just means you recognize there is room for different points of view.
Be bold in sharing your opinions; be open to receiving a different perspective. Be mindful that words used carelessly can cause great harm. So be kind with your words; for you may have to eat them one day! Remember there are two sides to every coin; just flip it to get the full view!
Photo by Natasha Hall on Unsplash
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
The Perspective Matters 