I’m not controversial. I’m just the only one brave enough to speak up.
Everyone agrees with me. I know this because they tell me—quietly, privately, when no one else is listening. Consequently, I’ve become the voice for millions of Americans who are too afraid to speak for themselves.
Some of you are already rolling your eyes. “Here goes Brent again.” But hear me out. The opinions I hold aren’t controversial at all. They’re just common sense. The only reason they seem controversial is because everyone else is too scared to say them out loud.
The Proof That Everyone Agrees With Me
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve expressed an opinion and had someone quietly pull me aside afterward. “I agree with you,” they whisper, “but I could never say that.” It happens constantly. At barbecues. At my nephew’s soccer games. Once, in the checkout line at Home Depot, a complete stranger gave me a knowing nod after I made a comment about something on my phone.
That’s the silent majority. We’re out there. We’re everywhere. However, we’re just not allowed to speak in most places anymore.
My research suggests approximately 73% of Americans secretly agree with everything I say. I calculated this by counting the nods, the whispered agreements, and the people who didn’t actively disagree with me. Furthermore, if you include people who walked away mid-conversation—clearly too intimidated to engage—the number is even higher.
Why Everyone Agrees With Me But Won’t Admit It
Here’s the thing about political correctness: it’s not about being correct, and it’s not about being polite. It’s about control. Essentially, it’s about making regular people afraid to express regular opinions because someone might get offended.
And who decides what’s offensive? Not you. Not me. Not the silent majority. Instead, it’s decided by people who went to certain colleges and live in certain cities and drink certain kinds of coffee. (Speaking of things “they” don’t want you to say, I recently did my own research on my cholesterol diagnosis—and it confirmed everything I suspected.)
My ex-wife used to say I was “too opinionated.” She claimed I “never listened” and “made everything into an argument.” I don’t remember it that way. But even if it were true, since when is having opinions a bad thing? That’s called being engaged. She’s remarried now. To an accountant. They seem happy, in a boring kind of way.
Why I Speak Up When Everyone Agrees With Me Silently
Somewhere along the line, we decided that having strong convictions was a character flaw. We decided that people who speak their minds are “problematic,” while people who stay quiet are “reasonable.” But that’s completely backwards.
The reasonable people are the ones like me. We see what’s happening and refuse to stay silent. We understand that common sense isn’t common anymore, which means someone has to keep it alive.
My brother—he went to college, lives in Portland now—thinks I’m “part of the problem.” He said that at Thanksgiving two years ago, right in front of Mom. We haven’t really talked since. But that’s fine. Some people would rather be comfortable than right.
I’m not one of those people. I’d rather be right. And alone. At Thanksgiving. With Mom, who says I “remind her of Dad,” which she doesn’t mean as a compliment, but I’m taking it as one.
A Message To Those Who Secretly Agree With Me
Deep down, I think you agree with me. You’re just afraid to say it. Maybe you’re worried about your job, or your friends, or your brother in Portland who sends passive-aggressive articles to the family group chat.
But that’s okay. That’s why I’m here. To say it for you.
You’re welcome.
And if you see me at Home Depot, feel free to give me a knowing nod. I’ll know what it means. We all will.
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