IT'S GOTTA STOP
There have been recently numerous instances of people being put on leave or fired for expressing their opinions. One has to be very careful when expressing an opinion that may be somewhat different than a prevailing one or one held by those in power. Now, I'm not here to express an opinion about anything other than expressing an opinion so you can relax on that point.
The problem as I see it, is not having an opinion, but of expressing it. There certainly should be a limit to what opinions should be expressed and which ones should not be. Clearly when one is cognizant of the prevailing opinion, one should conform to that opinion or be quiet. There are excellent reasons for this.
One is simple sociability. We all have had the experience of being excluded from a group discussion when expressing an opinion not consistent with the currently fashionable one. None of us like to be excluded from a social event simply for saying something out of favor with the majority. But there are other more important considerations: It's anti-capitalism. I'm not saying that it is communistic, but it is detrimental in several respects.
First, it is detrimental to the work environment. You don't want a lot of animosity in the workplace. Employees have a tendency to get distracted from their job for which they get paid to do when diverse opinions are expressed at work. It is especially detrimental when it results in fisticuffs or other disorderly behavior.
Second, if opinions are expressed of any kind by the staff, there will be customers who will not avail themselves of your services or products if they have a differing opinion strongly held. It's bad for business. This is annoying to your boss and it could result in your termination.
Third, the last place you want odd and different opinions floating around in the halls and such is school houses. Our school children are taxed enough with learning how to make a living and fitting in; they don't need to deal with adverse opinions that simply cause confusion and alienation among the adults they have to deal with.
I know you think the having of an opinion is a right we all have, but letting others know what it is? Not good - - bad things often result. Forget the first amendment, the freedom of speech one, that isn't going to be much of a benefit if you have irritated a whole bunch of people including your boss simply by expressing an opinion. You may not be thrown in jail for expressing an opinion, but it may result in other serious consequences.
It's interesting that words alone can get such a reaction, but clearly words have an effect that can have seriously detrimental effects to the person expressing them. Religion has to be the prime example. There was a time when expressing the wrong opinion got you burnt at the stake. Now that would really hurt. There were dunking until drowned and other seriously uncomfortable results as well, all the result of expressing opinions not generally held or acceptable by those in charge.
Mentioning historical events is not to cast dispersions on any particular set of people, either past or current; it is simply to illustrate the dangers of having an opinion, especially one not currently in favor. You never know when the public may revert to previous behaviors when dealing with opinions expressed.
So, my unsolicited advice is, that if you have an opinion that is currently out of fashion, it may be to your benefit to withhold it from public expression. Forget this first amendment thing that so many people rely on or your personal freedom or your whatnot, keep it to yourself for your own protection.
Richard E H Phelps II
Mingo
