OP/ED

Being able to express yourself freely, without regards to what another may think or say, is like walking through a minefield of late. If you express concern for one issue, then someone thinks you are against them. If you express disagreement towards someone, then you are automatically against an entire group of people. Have we’ve become too sensitive? Or, is it just another excuse to divert one’s attention to what is really going on.

My bad! I thought this was America; the place where we can express ourselves and speak what’s on our mind without feeling judged or being ridiculed or being labeled a socialist, fascist, racist, or unpatriotic. How can one have open dialogue and discuss what is going on, and how it not only affects us as individuals, but as communities, and a country, if when we began to speak, we are shut down and accused of spouting lies and our own agenda?

Clear, open, and honest dialogue seems to be far and few between when all parties involved do not want to face the truth of what’s in front of them. Instead, we have disjointed conversations that are only mimicking the headlines of our favorite Newspaper or dialogues of what we see upon the numerous news stations (that is clearly peppered by their own views and opinions).

Does anyone have an original thought anymore? And if they did, would they recognize it as an original thought? Hmm? We’ve become so engaged in the art of watching what we say that we are not saying much. Our conversations seem to be the same, but with use of different dialects and tones that allow us to know which body of people are saying what.

When it comes to expressing ourselves, humans have a way of “beating” around the bush when they are not certain of how another will take what they are saying or get the true meaning of what it is they are trying to convey. We have become so rigid in our attempts at being “politically correct” and sensitive, that we have lost the concept of sincere, truthful, free speech—where we say emphatically what is on our minds and in our hearts without any malicious intent to harm another, but just to express what we truly feel and believe.

We live in a world that is filled with differences, including opinions. Everyone does not think the same, believe the same, see the same, or even learn the same. So, why in the world should all of our conversations and opinions be the same? Why are we striving to eliminate self-thought and originality in our thinking, by oppressing or bringing punishment to those who think different or outside the box, and have the courage to say so?

One wonders why the Pilgrims really came to America; especially considering the atrocities that took place once they arrived to the New World. (I’m getting ready to speak my mind here; so if you don’t want to read what my true personal thoughts are, or if you feel offended in anyway—you have my permission to close this article and walk away. I will not think any less of you. In fact, I encourage you to exercise your right to do so, as I intend to exercise my right of free speech and free thought.)

It boggles the mind how we can live in a society that tells us we have the right to the “American Dream”, but will hinder a body of people from ever being able to recognize that dream, by keeping them pigeon hold by using scrupulous tactics that exacerbate the continued socio-economic deficiencies and practicing unfair and biased treatment when it comes to education, taxation, healthcare, and incarceration, just to name a few.

No one; especially not I, am expecting that government handouts or a social program is the way to bring balance and restructure to the many dying and suffering communities. However, a fair and balanced treatment across the board is part of the necessary steps to bring about change that is healthy, positive and progressive. The same opportunities that are given to more affluent communities, or communities of the Caucasian persuasion, should be the same opportunities given to every minority and less affluent communities, with the additional aid of people that can teach the communities how to utilize what they are given.

Ah! But wait a minute, one might say! How is that fair or conceivable when those communities that are in receipt are the ones that actually have high voter turn outs? They receive, because they vote. Point well taken! If this be the case, then why the huge attempt to restrict or inhibit voter turn-out for current elections? Is it fair to say that the poorer communities do not have, because they do not vote, then turn around and try to prevent them from voting? Seems like a catch 22 to me. But then again, this is just my opinion, and some thoughts that have been running through my mind.

Am I correct in my assumptions? Is it fair of me to think such things or to think along these lines? Who’s to say? These are my opinions. These are some of my thoughts; whether right or wrong, valid or invalid. They are mine, and I have a right to express them, say them, and write them without feeling the need to be politically correct or sensitive to the degree that I lose free speech and thought.

At some point, we are all going to have to come to the realization that truth is necessary if we want to see real change in the world that we live in. We cannot continue to keep walking the minefield, hoping that the next thing we say or think will not be used against us, or construed to be something that it is not. Being politically correct is one thing; but to do so at the expense of original and honest thought is another. There is a balance, and we need to find it before we are all walking a tightrope, ready to explode, in need of a truth enema in order to begin honest conversations that eventually result in a better world for all people, and not just the elite.