Welcome to What I’m Really Thinking

Welcome to What I’m Really Thinking, a blog about politics, social issues, civil rights, and mental health issues.

Getting Involved In the Wider Discussion

For the last few years, I have heard over and over that this nation is more politically divided than ever. This is true. On Facebook, on Internet bulletin boards, on Twitter, in replies to articles on news sites and blogs, and in personal conversations between Americans, you see discussions of politics that rapidly devolve into arguments rife with personal attacks and filled with rancor, often resulting in hurt feelings for one or more of the parties involved. In the worst cases, friendships and family bonds become less important than political beliefs. I believe this is just the visible minority.

I think most of us stay out of these arguments. We keep our beliefs close to the chest and discuss them rarely, if at all. Maybe we just don’t care. Or maybe it’s just that our noses are to the grindstone, with little time for anything besides family and work, maybe friends (but not always), just trying to get by and live life. I’ve been guilty of all those things at one time or another.

Now Is Not the Time For Silence

That leads me to What I’m Really Thinking (WIRT). What I’m Really Thinking is me, trying to be visible because it’s time to be visible. It’s time to express my opinions, to express what I believe instead of staying silent. It’s time to take part in the greater discussion. It’s time to tell the world what I’m really thinking. 

Politics, Social Issues, Civil Rights, and Mental Health

The introductory paragraph touched on politics, but I will also discuss civil rights, social issues, and mental health. These have become my passions as I’ve grown older and they are all important because they affect our lives and mine in particular. Talking about these issues as people with common interests and not as adversaries is important to me and it should be important to you.

To that end, I’ve started this blog and will be branching out into social media. I’ll be using the What I’m Really Thinking Facebook page to post articles by writers other than myself, opinions (sometimes my own and sometimes other people’s), information, thoughts, and questions. The blog itself I will reserve for my own articles.

Civil Discussion

I want to encourage civil, informed discussion. No ad hominem (personal) attacks, and no name calling. Differences in opinion should be respected, and even if you cannot change someone’s point of view, perhaps you can get them to listen to yours to create understanding between people. Try to cite facts when you can, and when giving your own opinion, or listening to someone else’s, try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

Beware the echo chamber. It is easy to believe facts and agree with opinions when they enforce your own beliefs. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and look at things that do not reinforce your own opinions.

With all that said, welcome to What I’m Really Thinking.

(Don’t hesitate to tell me if you find any grammar or spelling mistakes.)