Although I tend to never stop talking, there are times when I feel completely unable to speak up. The saying “our generation is too soft” has pressured me into feeling guilty for being uncomfortable due to something offensive that someone else has said. Someone will say something completely out of line, and although I want to correct them, I stay silent, as I fear being seen as overdramatic. 

When in situations where another person has made us uncomfortable, we should all have the right to say so, instead of having the narrative flipped in such a way that we feel ashamed. 

In the beginning of quarantine, my Instagram feed was bombarded with posts about relevant issues. People weren’t afraid to speak their minds and advocate for what they believed was right. Collectively, we all became more aware of what was right and what wasn’t. Relevant issues such as the Black Lives Matter movement were becoming more talked about.  Many teens weren’t afraid to point out when those around us did something out of line. Unfortunately, not everyone agreed with the concept of being held accountable for our actions, and those who didn’t agree with the strong opinions of others started to say things like “our generation is too soft;” a phrase to make it seem as though whatever had been done had done no harm, and that the person calling them out was actually in the wrong.

I am not “soft” for choosing not to be friends with someone because of their political beliefs. When another person’s beliefs make me uncomfortable, I have the right to not be friends with them because of it. Disagreeing on basic human rights isn’t something that I can ignore. That doesn’t mean I’m “soft.” 

I was not “soft” for getting offended when others criticize my body. At the ripe age of 10, I entered middle school. Right away I was made fun of for my body, as if at 10 I was supposed to look like 20-year-old Instagram models. Although claimed to be jokes, I never found it funny. That doesn’t mean I’m “soft.” 

I am not “soft” for being able to confront people and speak up when someone has done something wrong. I have witnessed many people make racist comments, and when I confronted them on it, I was told I was being soft. I am able to stand up for myself and others. That doesn’t mean I’m “soft.” 

We all need to be more aware of how our words affect others, and hear others out whenever they point out the wrongs we have done. We do not all need to have the same opinions and beliefs, but we need to respect others, and allow them to feel however they want to.