noun: editorial; plural noun: editorials
- a newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue.
noun: opinion
- a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
Definition as per Oxford Languages
Every issue we publish an editorial, but according to Oxford Languages, we aren’t really writing editorials. They are rather anecdotal glimpses into our past. John got close a couple of issues ago and when he mentioned never becoming the 51st state, but overall, we have been sharing nostalgic memories of our lives. There is a reason for this.
In this day of social media and AI, opinions voiced seem to inspire too much anonymous feedback. It is very easy to trash someone’s opinion online when you can hide behind names that are created with social media profiles. And it is too easy to sway between opinions rather than form your own.
Not that long ago, I dared to voice my opinion regarding renaming Dundas Street. In my pre-teen to teen years, I spent many weekends hopping on the subway down to Yonge and Dundas to people watch, check out store displays and occasionally, play some pinball in one of the many arcades of the time. I never knew Dundas was named after someone and honestly, wouldn’t have cared. It was just our Saturday afternoon outing.
In 2020, a petition was signed by over 14,000 people (from a city of over 3 million, GTA population over 7 million) to change the name of Dundas Street as Henry Dundas, an 18th century Scottish politician (the street’s namesake) hindered the abolition of slavery. The estimated cost for this project is well over $12 million. It will greatly affect all the small businesses along Dundas Street. All advertising from business cards to business names would have to be updated.
In an online post I dared to voice my opinion, disagreeing with this project. In my opinion, I felt that money would be better spent to start scholarships, build hospitals and affordable housing along with other ideas in that vein. The first day after I posted, I was met with an overwhelming positive response. It seems my opinion was in line with many others. Then day two rolled around, and the support quickly changed. How could I support someone who believed in slavery? How could I want to honour such a foul person? I tried to justify my opinion – I don’t honour or support him, I just believe that 300 years later, the money could be better spent to bring about a positive future rather than try to erase a negative past. By day three, some of my strongest supporters from day one, were jumping on the negative band wagon. How easily opinions change depending on popularity! By day four, I deleted my post.
Opinions are just what a person thinks – it doesn’t have to be right or wrong; it’s just their opinion!! You may agree with it or disagree, and that’s perfectly fine, but you can’t tell someone their opinion is wrong. It is too easy today to belittle people for their opinions with social media allowing too much anonymity. I would be happy to discuss opinions in person, face to face, and debate all day long, but I will no longer post an opinion online.
I believe in what I believe in, and my opinions are my own. Your opinion may not be the same, but isn’t that part of the beauty of our world? We can each have our own opinions and have the right to voice them. What a boring world it would be if everyone’s opinion was the same. But it is important to remember that even if you don’t agree with someone’s opinion, it doesn’t make them wrong. In my opinion, it’s best to agree to disagree. And to be polite and courteous when doing so.
Because of this, The Wayback Times won’t be publishing any more editorials. Will something replace the editorial? You’ll have to grab the next issue to find out!