A healthy, thriving democracy is defined by rigorous debates, in the public arena, in public venues, on public platforms. Sometimes it feels like you’re one op

A healthy, thriving democracy is defined by rigorous debates, in the public arena, in public venues, on public platforms. Sometimes it feels like you’re one opinion away from being labeled and excluded. Whatever happened to people letting others change their minds? Think of someone who has been labeled. Everyone knows at least a few. Ask yourself: do you feel like these people have changed their minds? Why or why not? It didn’t occur to me it was even a possibility until I actively examined why I felt ok with labeling them. And then I realized it doesn’t feel ok at all. Labels have always had immense power throughout history, and in the age of the internet it’s somewhat terrifying to see them applied in ways that stick to you for the rest of your life. Do we have no choice but to go through life rarely expressing opinions online?