I Really Don't Know What to Think. Do You?

I Really Don't Know What to Think. Do You?

     Whatever your opinion may be on the health and societal issues we face today, you can find information to support that opinion. This is one of the key points that I tried to get across when teaching persuasive writing to my fourth grade students. Whether they were looking for the pros or cons of drinking chocolate milk, using phones in classrooms, or choosing a good pet, they were able to find facts to prove their viewpoint. But understanding where those facts came from, and how those facts were used in an article, was an important part of their learning. Quite difficult for 9 and 10 year olds to comprehend, but most got it.

     Now more than ever, as adults, we have opinionated writing shoved in our faces no matter what media we read. Added to that are the comments with opinionated facts that then confuse us even more. Since COVID began, it seems like articles, memes, news reports and conversations have multiplied as fast as the virus itself. By opening social media, we are bombarded by so many different opinions and facts, that it is very difficult to figure out what is the real truth. You've probably seen the same things that I have: one article supports research for wearing masks, and another disputes those same facts and provides facts that make you think twice. Turning on the TV, doesn't help either. It seems that we even have to listen to news reports with caution. Just google, "What is the best real news?" In black and white it states that our news is usually biased, censored, and non-credible. It is sad to think that in this technological day and age, that we must look for the best information from which to draw our own conclusions. Why is society doing this to us? Why are we doing this to each other? 

     Heading into this political year, evidence of bias has already hit. The negative ads in mailboxes and on TV are a prime source. The absolute waste of money and paper to smear competitors has become so common place. Why don't we demand that the candidates give us their thoughts on the true issues that face us today? We need facts to choose government leaders that are going to help move our country towards a safe and peaceful future. We need our leaders to stand for the beliefs that were set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution. We need to educate ourselves so that we can make good choices when we choose our local, state, and federal leaders.

     Trying to figure out the factual pieces of the information, and realizing where those facts came from are detrimental to our health, economy, and future of our country. We must become logical thinkers, and true problem solvers. We need to think for ourselves, and stop letting others shove their opinions in our faces. One of the first things to do is read articles and news with a level-head and calm purpose. Wait a moment to think about the information before sharing or commenting. Being impulsive often makes things worse. Read several sources and seek out the facts and data before forming your own conclusions.

     Second, try and take a step away from the social media and news. Have you ever told a child to just ignore or walk away from someone who is bothering them? When we don't give someone the reaction they are looking for, they tend to stop. Don't feed into the biased and "fake" news. Impulsive reactions tend to steamroll and create more power for others to continue putting their opinionated ideas out there. 

     Finally, we need to all realize that we are ultimately responsible for ourselves, our actions, and our words. How we react to opinions, ideas, and facts is up to us. With COVID, we're asked to wash our hands, social distance in public, and wear a mask. We may not know the effects of this virus on the health of our society, the strength or our economy, and the social, emotional, and educational well being of our kids for years to come. One day in the future, a student may choose "Wearing a Mask During the Covid Pandemic" as their topic for persuasive writing. The abundance of opinionated writing will be overwhelming. I wonder what the real facts will show us? Did we, did our leaders, listen to the facts and do the right thing?