Ever since I started middle school, it was more common to have debates in my Language Arts classes. I always loved debating, and I think that’s why for the longest time I wanted to be a lawyer. I loved the concept of researching and debating with my peers over the knowledge I had on a topic. Lots of times, I’d get quite passionate during it and have to calm down for a little, but I always enjoyed it nonetheless. 

When I got into high school, I noticed that having a simple conversation with someone where we didn’t share the same ideas would turn into a debate. That concept is even worse when talking about politics in a group discussion. I try not to get into the conversation of politics for the sole purpose of me not listening to the news or keeping up with anything political. 

This school year in particular, I’ve noticed more of my peers share similar ideas while I am on the outside. I find myself pretending to have the same ideas in class or lying and telling my classmates that I believe the same things they do because I fear being hated on. That doesn’t just go for political concepts but for anything in general where someone can think one thing and someone else can think another. “Why do I need to fear this?” That’s the question I ask myself every time I get into a discussion where I find myself lying about my views. The answer to my question is cancel culture, which according to dictionary.com, means “the phenomenon or practice of publicly rejecting, boycotting or ending support for particular people or groups because of their socially or morally unacceptable views or actions.”

I have the right to my own opinion and I shouldn’t have to fear my opinion not being accepted because of cancel culture. The definition of freedom of speech, according to Oxford languages, is “the right to express any opinion without censorship or restraint.” The fact that I feel the restraint of my opinions when I have said freedom of speech says enough about my freedom. 

My opinions are valid and what I have to say should also be valid. It’s hard to stand up for what I believe in though, especially when I’m made to feel that what I believe in is the wrong thing to believe in. This is because I don’t think the same as someone else, because I feel stronger about a topic than some people do so I may come off a little strong in my argument. 

Cancel culture is toxic. It keeps people from wanting to be themselves and talk about what they truly believe is right in their eyes even if it’s not in someone else’s eyes. When cancel culture is gone, freedom of speech will feel valid again. Sadly, I don’t think cancel culture is going anywhere anytime soon. 

What I am starting to learn from all of this is that my opinions do matter and I will start stating them more. I’m not going to lie and keep them to myself anymore. I want to live in a world where I don’t need to feel like I have to keep things to myself because of fear. I’m done fearing cancel culture.