The danger of “you do you”

A growing phenomenon among this generation is the phrase “you do you.” We say it to others to tell them they should choose whatever way of life and thinking they want, and not to worry about what others think. The intention behind this notion is good: We all have the freedom to live our lives the way we please. But behind this intention is a hidden danger. It is one thing to say “you do you” when talking about someone’s appearance, hobbies, or likes and dislikes. But if we say this when it comes to our beliefs on politics, religion, or morals, we are doing someone a disservice. When we use this phrase, we are declining to talk about our beliefs with one another. We do not allow for the possibility of friendly argument, of seeing something from someone else’s point of view. Public discourse is an instrumental element in our democratic society because it is how we resolve issues and move forward. It started a long time ago with ancient Greece, and has been a staple of democracy ever since. But it is dying out. You can see it in the way we debate. Instead of using sound arguments, we resort to things like name calling or personal attacks. Even politicians do it — as of 2012, over 50 percent of ads in political campaigns were attack ads. Politicians are starting to rely more and more on putting their opponents down, instead of building themselves up. It’s almost like we are forgetting how to have logical, fact-based arguments — because we simply don’t argue that way anymore. The majority of society tells us that we should not question others’ views. We should let them live as they please because it is not our place to tell them otherwise. But it is our place; it is our place to stand for what we believe in. If we believe that a certain way of life would be more beneficial for society as a whole, then we should promote it. Not in a mean-spirited way, or a way that belittles someone else, but in a way that challenges them to think critically. In challenging others’ beliefs, we force them to take a stronger stance, to build a solid base, and provide evidence for the things they believe in. Many people may hold certain views that they have absolutely no support for, and if no one calls them out on it, they will simply continue thinking that way. The result of the spreading phenomenon of “you do you” is that we all have become very easily offended. Millennials, more than any other generation, have the tendency to get offended at the drop of a hat. We’ve learned that others do not have the right to challenge our beliefs — or at least we don’t think that they do. So when we actually are challenged, we are immediately defensive. It happens all the time, and you can find it on any social media site. Take, for example, the situation with Matt Taylor. He and his colleagues at the European Space Agency (ESA) landed a spacecraft on a comet last year, but the main concern was his horribly offensive T-shirt, which featured women in skimpy outfits wielding guns. Or even more recently, many people have been offended by the fact that Starbucks cups are just plain red this year. It seems to be that society is always searching for something to be in a huff about. But if we were to interact more with those who think differently than us, it would be easier to see things from their point of view. And maybe we wouldn’t be so quick to jump to the defensive. So the next time you say something like “you do you,” take a step back and think about it first. Is this a matter that really deserves to be discussed? Would it benefit both parties to see the other’s point of view? If so, dive into a discussion. Keep an open mind about what the other person has to say, while at the same time promoting your own views. I believe that this, in the end, can result in a much healthier society. A society that moves forward through debate and discussion, with individuals that take strong stands for what they believe in. Reach contributing writer Carly Knight at development@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @carlyfries83

The danger of “you do you”

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