It seems like expressing yourself is becoming increasingly difficult in this country for fear of attack. Religion and politics still remain the most taboo topics to discuss with anyone, regardless of familiarity. Social networking allows people to have open dialogue, but many people are no longer able to respect the fact that everyone is entitled to there own views on an issue.
I admit, I have become fearful of expressing many of my opinions, namely in the political and religious categories. In open class discussions, I fear that my peers’ perception of me will become tainted by my take on a current event. Worse, speaking about religion or showing a particular religious preference seems to make people become too upset to take your opinion for what it is—an opinion.
Coffee talk rarely reaches past the weather and other non-debatable topics anymore. It feels stifling to be unable to have insightful conversations. If you say something as small as a mispronounced word, it seems as though someone is going to come after you with torches and pitchforks in hand.
It feels like some invisible censor prevents me from saying my opinions, and that censor being fear. Fear of being judged, fear of being ostracized and even worse is fear of being verbally and physically attacked.
How has a guaranteed freedom become so twisted?
(Lastly, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to every person who was harmed directly and indirectly by the shooting in Arizona.)
