Commentary: Speak up to create a richer, fuller world

Often, we hesitate to speak our minds. We worry about how others will perceive us or whether we have something worth saying.

As a group of four Brigham Young University students starting an internship at The Salt Lake Tribune this past May, we certainly faced fears like these. We didn’t have impressive degrees or extensive experiences, yet we were given an opportunity and a responsibility to work toward change. As we moved forward with our project, we came to firmly believe that people can direct change by voicing their own opinions and experiences.

The Tribune was seeking to diversify voices, involve youths in journalism and facilitate richer dialogue within Utah. The goal was clear, but the details of our project were ambiguous and exciting. The question swirled in our minds: How could we contribute to a more diverse and inclusive future in journalism — a future that would feature voices seeking to shape the future. As we conducted our research, we discovered the incredible voices and ideas right here in Utah.

Conversations grow fuller and more fantastic with diversity of voice. Race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and religious affiliation are a few of the groups we can belong to — with everyone containing unique wisdom that contributes to others' understanding.

Often, diversity creates a greater divide of opinions. Yet when someone voices an opinion or experience in contrast to others, this brings forth the difference in their separate paradigms. If we chose to seek understanding because of our differences, our diversity, this creates a bridge between the two ideas — to find their similarities and their breaking points — allowing both parties to understand more about their fellow citizens.

This represents the great advantage of diversity and conversation. With it, we find more growth, more understanding and more honesty. To create bipartisan solutions, we must participate in this diverse dialogue. We must not get stuck in an echo chamber where we interact only with perspectives and information that simply reinforce our own personal opinions.

Without hearing the other perspective, we lack the ability to truly develop and decide our own beliefs. And without voicing our side of the story, we devoid others the chance to learn from us. When you choose to speak up for your groups and ideals, whether through newspapers, social media or at home, you not only add ideas to a community conversation — but you also create a richer, fuller world.

How we raise our voices will influence our country’s future. We cannot be bystanders as oceans rise up, Black men are gunned down and women’s equality stays stagnant. It’s easy to see issues and wish that someone, somewhere would do something about them. But, what if we are that someone? What if we are the generation that can hold our leaders accountable and initiate change?

In the Black Lives Matter movement, we’ve seen the power that people have when they get together and speak their minds. As the next generation, we determine what issues people talk about and work toward. From protests and social media movements to education and crucial conversations with loved ones, we can be the ones to strengthen awareness and accountability. We decide how our country evolves.

As our voices strengthen, diversify and develop our communities, we can inspire innovation. So, write an op-ed, attend a meeting, go to a protest. Educate yourselves now with reliable sources. Normalize adjusting your opinion when new information arises. Vote for leaders who use their amplified voices to implement change and stand against injustice.

All of this can be terrifying, uncomfortable and messy. But it is essential — essential for the future and for the present.

Alexa Elliott, Dylan Robinson, Lacey George and Melyssa Preece are students in Brigham Young University’s Social Innovation Projects program.