Well, hello there! It’s been a minute. Let’s get right into it.

Ah, the sweet, sweet sound of everyone needing to have their opinions validated like they’re the gospel truth. It’s the 21st century, so of course, we all think we have it figured out. Our views on every topic, no matter how niche or personal, should be accepted as absolute facts, right? Because who needs multiple perspectives when you can just be right? And if someone dares to disagree with your brilliant, flawless take? Well, obviously, they just don’t get it.

I’ve been sitting on this topic for a while now. But all the reactions about the recent Super Bowl halftime show with Kendrick Lamar shifted me in gear. Ah, the cultural event that somehow turned into a battlefield for opinions. Some folks were ready to throw a parade for Lamar’s performance, calling it groundbreaking, powerful, and a true reflection of his artistry. It wasn’t just music—it was a statement, a piece of culture, a whole vibe. But then, in the other corner, there were people who acted like they’d just sat through a four-hour documentary on paint drying. “Trash, boring”, they said. “Where was the entertainment?”

Okay, sure, your expectations were for a lighthearted “keep making me dance, waving my hand” routine with zero social commentary, but guess what? Not everything in life is meant to entertain you. Some performances have more to say than “Look at me, turn up, shake ya ass!” But hey, who needs that kind of depth when you could just get the same ol’ two-step routine, right?

And here’s where it gets interesting. The folks who basically bashed Lamar’s performance might want to take a minute and look in the mirror. Because there seemed to be a little bit of Jim Crow-era mentality floating around in their critiques. Bear with me a second. It’s like they’re saying, “I want to be entertained. I don’t really care what the artist is trying to say about the world. Just make me feel good, and I’ll be fine.” It’s as if the idea of challenging the norm, sparking a conversation, or even shining a light on cultural issues is somehow a threat to their simple, predictable entertainment. They’d rather bury their heads in the sand and ignore the bigger picture—because, heaven forbid, you make people think for a minute.

But here’s a kicker: there is no right or wrong in how we experience art or someone’s opinion. What feels powerful and meaningful to one person might totally flop for someone else. That’s called diversity, my friend. It’s what makes the world interesting (and honestly, a little chaotic). I’m sorry, we’re supposed to be getting rid of all that. So, disregard the first part of this paragraph. 😏 But the real contradiction is that those demanding entertainment often miss the very thing they claim to want: substance. People want the flashy, the glitter, the feel-good moment, but when it’s something that asks them to think, they get mad because they weren’t entertained in a way they expected.

We’re all just out here trying to figure it out. Every single person on this planet is trying to make sense of things, and your perspective is no more valid than anyone else’s. So, while we’re busy demanding the world agree with us, maybe let’s take a moment to chill and realize that life isn’t a straight line. It’s a messy, colorful, complex thing where people are allowed to have different opinions, and that’s kind of the point. You don’t have to agree with Kendrick’s performance, but maybe just accept that his message isn’t meant to cater to you. It’s meant to say something, even if you don’t want to hear it.

So, next time you find yourself calling someone’s opinion “trash” or “wrong,” ask yourself: Is it really that serious? Or is it just a sign that we’re all still trying to figure out this whole “being human” thing? Spoiler alert: Nobody’s figured it out yet, but we’re all in it together, even if we don’t agree on how.

Oh, and let me just leave you with this; for those that watch a lot of podcasts. Just because a person is animated or have a very convincing tone of voice, doesn’t mean that their OPINION is fact. Whas that contradicting enough for you? 😏