Have your say!

Our world today is predominantly characterised by young people who are afraid to speak and act without fear of being shunned and permanently ‘cancelled’. This culture is manifested both in real and virtual life and has engendered a type of interaction wherein opinions are laced with disclaimers, that are specifically tailored to please the majority, while simultaneously allowing the speaker to reject liability for his or her beliefs. It is both a sad and disconcerting phenomenon.

Why are we so afraid?

We are afraid because society no longer believes in the power of a ‘second chance’. Our constant interaction with photoshopped celebrities and influencers on the Internet has caused us to be infatuated with a type of perfection that is not only illusory, but also forlorn. Indeed, this type of desperation not only plays on the way in which we see ourselves physically, but it also has severe implications for the way in which we are able to confidently interact with each other on a daily basis.

For example, young people, when asked to share their opinion on a trending topic that is affecting our world, prefer to be tight-lipped, rather than truly expressing their feelings. Certainly, it is tiring and unstimulating to engage in discussions when persons are blatantly opposed to projecting their ideas.

To a very large extent, this willingness to please has lethal repercussions for the way in which our citizens engage with each other respectfully. So that, if divergent opinions are proffered, we must be mature enough to see how this contributes to overall learning. Young people must be encouraged to speak up.