Try not to take this personally ...

I have some ideas for a column.

Actually, I have a lot of ideas for a column.

The problem with some of my ideas, is that I am not too sure how they will be received by you, as a reader.

You see, I like to keep my personal beliefs close to my chest. I don’t have to, I just choose to. I have many strong beliefs, and I do like to discuss them with people. It’s part of my profession. As a journalist, I like to inform, not instigate.

Even though, once a month, I have this spot set aside for me to write whatever the hell I want, it’s still difficult for me. It’s not because I don’t think I am a good writer, I actually like to think that I am a pretty good writer.

It’s because I am worried.

If I write about a issue many people have strong feelings about, I could get backlash. It’s not like I want everyone to like me. I have gotten hate mail in the past, and it doesn’t effect me all that much. In fact, I kind of enjoy it; at least someone is reading what I have to say — even if they are telling me to go to hell.

My theory when it comes to reporting: if what I write is the truth, and I piss a lot of people off or piss no one off, I did my job.

I learned a long time ago, if I want everyone to like me, I am in the wrong business.

But here is my concern: if I tell people my beliefs on a hot-button issue, people will either agree with me and like me more, or disagree with me and like me less. Both of which impact my job, as a journalist, to bring you the news.

Sure, everyone is entitled to their opinions. But somewhere down the line, political and social debates have gone from discussions to benefit the intellectual well-being of society, and have become personal.

Often people will look at you differently if your opinion differs from theirs. It’s sad, but it’s true. We put labels on people on how they view the world. We treat people differently based on how they vote.

Think about that. Whether or not we like someone comes down to who’s name they put a check mark by while they are in the voting booth.

Anytime you put two people in a room, you are inevitably going to have two different opinions, so why do we take it personally?

I have no idea if it has always been this way or not. I am only 23 years old — even I know that’s still pretty young. I have never lived in a world where politics aren’t personal.

And maybe there has never been a world where politics aren’t personal.

Although, Brutus didn’t stab Julius Caesar in the back because Julius’s opinion on universal healthcare differed from Brutus’s.

(Granted, maybe the Romans had some kinks to work out with their checks and balance system or else they wouldn’t have had to kill Julius).

Here is my point: why do politics have to be personal? Why do Democrats have to hate Republicans and vice versa? Why do we have to treat others differently because of their religious beliefs?

Why can’t we let someone state their opinion and just … I don’t know … disagree with it?

Why can I not write this column without fearing someone will read my news articles or look at me as a person differently?

This happens everywhere, not just here.

We don’t have to like their opinions, but we can still like the person.

Ayways, one of these days I will write a column on my belief on a hot-button subject, and we can all have a good informed discussion on it.

Maybe next month. Maybe next year.

But today is not that day.