When I wrote my senior high school thesis about political correctness over 10 years ago, I never thought I would think about it again.

Why do I live in a world where I have to silence myself around others or risk getting smeared for having a difference of opinion?

Is it equality for all, or equality for those who agree with you?

Why is it that people are preaching about freedom of religion, yet they are making absurd claims about those who follow one?

I was a fundamental Christian in my youth, and I do not regret it. I believe that I learned a sense of morality that helped me get through times that could have hardened my heart in ways that would never allow it to soften again.

I learned about hard work and perseverance. 

I have come into contact with those who needed to manipulate to get ahead, which was often caused by their insecurities or laziness to do the actual work. Although I was angry that their intentions got them to places they didn’t work for, I was thankful that I didn’t have to live with a burden like that on my soul.

I learned about faith.

With any religion, the primary source of faith goes into a higher being, but I also learned about having faith in myself. The things the human body can go through, both physically and emotionally, are a suggestion of the real strength in all of us. If we have faith in our power, we can accomplish more than the low bar we set for our capabilities.

Why does society mock and suggest that our values are worthless? 

Why is it that when we speak up for ourselves, we are often shot down with words wishing for our demise?

Although I am not a practicing Christian anymore, I find it saddening that the rights that people of all beliefs have fought for are belittled. 

We say we are progressing, but are we regressing?

I learned about prayer.

Prayer is not something I am too great at anymore, but it is something that I have started to come back to when I meet people who don’t see life as I do.

To the women who feel they need to mistreat other women in the same position they hold, I pray for you. I pray that you will be a more secure person. I hope you can confront someone about the issues you have with them. 

I pray that you become a person who is above putting someone else down to give a sense of authority. I pray that you gain the emotional maturity to deal with other situations in your life without having to harden your heart to get ahead.

To the people who spew out hatred about other political parties and suggest a generalization of those who follow, I pray for you. I pray that you do your research. 

I pray that you see the hypocrisy in condemning people for the exact thing you believe you are fighting toward.

To the people who believe they need to silence themselves for fear of being offensive, I pray for you. I pray that you see how silencing yourself allows for more problems to arise. I pray that you dare to stand up for your beliefs and gain the knowledge to articulate your position to others. I pray that you can help others do the same.

To all of the readers and writers viewing this article, I pray for you. I pray that you have the courage to speak out for the greater good (even when people say you are wrong). 

I pray that you know that prayer isn’t just for the religious, and it is something that we can all practice.

It’s not supposed to be, “Equality for all—with some restrictions.”