By Emma Cummins
Editorial Page Editor

While political correctness may be an overused topic, and to discuss it further would only be repetitive, there is a certain change I have seen as a teenager in this social climate.

There are numerous reasons a society may change, to become more equal, more progressive, or to go backwards. I believe that in this day and age, we have gone backwards but not for the usual reasons.

Most liberals believe that as a country we have not reached the best possible version of a progressive state because religion and free speech are still important to our country. I would say our country is lacking in protecting those rights that make the American dream unique.

As a teenager, there is an undeniable and enormous amount of pressure to conform, not to the conservative and rigid patriarchy that is still relevant today, but to the liberal view that everyone is right and anyone who thinks that notion is wrong, must be shamed. The irony abounds in that the progressive view shames us all into “accepting” everyone.

It is harder for everyone to disagree without being shamed into shutting up. Several controversial events have happened in the last few months, RFRA Laws, the Caitlyn Jenner transformation and the legalization of gay marriage are just a few examples of events that were shoved upon our generation without any real arguments being presented to us.

Through the use of Twitter and media outlets, the use of hashtags such as #LoveWins and other loaded phrases make it almost impossible to disagree and not sound judgemental. While Twitter may at times play host to a variety of meaningless “Twitter rants,” it does represent a larger issue, the shaming of an “unpopular” opinion. Understanding the value and normalcy of dissent and disagreement among others is vital to reversing the toxic trend in our society.

Dissent is not necessarily a bad thing despite the negative connotations that come along with it. The expression of an opinion that is at variance with the normally held view is a healthy reaction to what we should all be encouraging: discussion.

As teenagers we are constantly being exposed to different views and opinions. This is not a bad thing, but we should remember that opinions will always differ. Even if it is not the most popular one, an opinion can still be useful to its listeners. That sentiment should be encouraged constantly among each other.

To disagree is a scary thing in our world today. But I would encourage everyone to disagree, it is what makes this country great. So if you find yourself disagreeing with someone’s popular opinion, speak up. That chance may not come again.