Differing opinions are important

To the editor:

Watching the news or scrolling through social media, one can see that we as a society have tunnel vision with our opinions and views. It has become a forum for people to attack or insult others for having opposite opinions.

Just because you and I may have differing opinions does not mean that only one of us can be right, but instead it highlights that there are different ways to approach a situation. One should be grateful for the chance to see there are countless ways of looking at situations and that we get the chance to gain wisdom and learn of life experiences from several perspectives.

I am a lifelong Republican and served within the county party for several years. I often find myself disagreeing with things that are published within the newspaper, but I am glad that they offer differing perspectives on situations. These views help me better understand certain issues and help me better formulate my opinions on how to solve them. I don’t want us, as a community, to join this “cancel culture” where everyone and everything gets canceled because they don’t have your exact view or something doesn’t go your way.

One cannot truly fix a problem or situation unless they get the whole picture. I think it is important that we continue to seek out differing opinions or viewpoints so that we can better understand situations, but more importantly that we can better educate ourselves. So, as a county, we need to do a better job of being open-minded and considerate that there are other opinions.

It’s important to have your own beliefs and opinions, so stop shaming others for having different ones than you. After all, if we all believed the same thing and did the same things, we would be living in a utopian society.

Absorb the differing opinions, thoughts and actions, all while also embracing your own.

As Voltaire said, “Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.”

Aaron Loy

Portland