Kelly Lantau, "Do you see what I see? " Daily Vidette 10/21/97, p. 4

I remember reading a book in grade school -- the typical assigned novel about a young girl's journey through adolescence. I don't remember the name of the book, who wrote it or even what it was really about. But that's not important, anyway.

You see, in this particular book, the young girl who took the journey through adolescence had a favorite pet -- a cat, if I remember correctly.

I remember how my teacher spoke continuously about the literary significance of this cat. She told us over and over again that the cat was a symbol of the young girl's feelings and emotions. For instance, we were told whenever the cat laid down and slept, it meant the girl was sad or lonely. Our teacher was sure -- beyond a shadow of a doubt -- that these meanings existed.

Later in the school year, the same teacher assigned the same class to write a letter to a famous person of their choice. Well, one enterprising student wrote to the author of that book I can't remember much about.

The student asked the author exactly what the cat did symbolize. The answer? Absolutely nothing.

Much to my teacher's chagrin, the very woman who wrote the novel apparently considered the cat to be nothing more than a cute addition to her story.

So, does this mean I had a good laugh at my teacher for lecturing endlessly about an incorrect concept? At the time, probably yes.

However, having matured a few years, I realize my teacher was probably right about that cat. But so was the author. And so was the kid who thought the cat symbolized something entirely different from the girl's emotions.

The point is, we all have different ways of seeing the world around us. However, every time person A holds different view than person B, person A refuses to accept person B, and person B thinks person A is a complete moron.

It seems the world is made up of too many kids sitting in the back of the classroom, laughing because the teacher was proven wrong.

I think it all boils down to an issue of respecting differences. Let's face it -- most human beings are stubborn by nature. It takes a lot to change our minds, even about something we know is trivial.

For the most part, we think our way is right because we read more, heard more, know more, see more, think more or understand more than the person who is arguing against us. However, I've realized that for every person who knows less than me and disagrees with me, there is at least one person who knows more than me who also thinks differently than I do.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

People are supposed to have different opinions. Not everyone can agree with each other all the time, and besides, we've all heard how boring the world would be if that happened.

However, as much as we're supposed to disagree, we should stop seeing the opposing view as incorrect. Every person forms every opinion for a very specific reason. Whether it's something we experienced personally, heard about or learned about, there is always a reason behind what we think. And who am I to tell someone their reasoning is less legitimate or worthy than mine?

Of course, there are times when one person in a debate has more background knowledge about the issues than another. But that doesn't mean both opinions aren't equally acceptable. For example, I could research the death penalty for years, talk to experts in the field and even write books on the subject. However, if I tell a pro-death penalty individual I feel capital punishment is wrong, there's no way I would expect him or her to agree with me.

And, even if his or her opinion is based on little or no evidence, it doesn't make my viewpoint one iota better. Even if my opponent formed his or her view from less research than I did, they still formed it for a reason -- whether it be their upbringing, morals, religion or anything else.

Who can say my reason is better than that individual's?

The problem is, people are constantly saying exactly this -- and therefore closing their minds to the fact that every opinion, along with the person who has it, is equal. I guess it all comes down to giving people their due respect.

In the realm of opinions, everyone is equal. Because everyone can think. Everyone can experience. Everyone can make up their mind.

And in a perfect world, everyone really is right.