Blind Pass
jcapinpin@theguidon.com

Controversial and timely issues such as the RH bill, the cybercrime law and the US presidential elections have given students the chance to express their sentiments about their particular concerns. These issues have allowed them to engage in intelligent discussions about the realities that surround them.

One of the reasons why they express these opinions is because these issues may affect their lives. These issues may either go against their personal beliefs and principles or heavily influence their way of living. Having said these, one’s opinion can be a way of protecting oneself.

However, what most of us tend to forget is that we also have a responsibility in maintaining the quality of our judgments. This presents the problem of opinions being grounded simply on biases and prejudices, which may result in a discussion outside of the original issue at hand. We cannot stray away from primary contentions because other unrelated issues might follow. When this happens, the problem can end up even more complicated than it actually is.

There are cases when we don’t bother to research and understand both sides of a matter. Before the Internet, it was definitely more taxing to go to the library to find the information one needed to support his or her stand. But, with the accessibility of knowledge in our present time, the task becomes less taxing.

Instead of relying on credible sources, we use the stock knowledge that we have to formulate our opinions to save us the hassle and time consumed by reading about the issue. The content of an opinion is traded off for the comfort of the individual instead of really immersing oneself in the discussion. Although I do not underestimate our capacity to think, it is better to crosscheck facts and data with sources before we take sides on anything.

At times, people’s opinions are heavily influenced by the vote of the majority. The side that is able to gather an intimidating number first is highly in favor to win. Hence, there is this belief that going against the popular vote is futile.

This option of joining the bandwagon has always been seen as the easy way out. The satisfaction that one draws from this choice, however, isn’t as fulfilling as the one that comes from understanding both sides before articulating a stand.

The former merely pretends to be with the majority and I think that this is simply pathetic. To me, this is a sign of negligence of one’s responsibility to be critical and intelligent with opinions. Others will build up on or attack what we claim or what we stand by. In a way, those who engage in a particular issue are bound together in this collection of thoughts and ideas.

What is asked of us whenever we make stands is to think not only of our own well-being, but also of how our own opinions will contribute to the larger discussion of an issue. I am calling everyone not to merely settle, but to challenge and take on this responsibility seriously.

Before expressing your thoughts on certain matters, it’s important to understand the problem first. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of these little things, which we often take for granted when we get carried away in the heat of an issue.