What If We Replaced “Controversy” with “Context”?

Most of the world isn’t debating whether plastic or biodegradable bowls are the best choice. Most people aren’t sitting around arguing about whether or not they want a child—they’re figuring out how to feed the ones they already have. While climate change, social justice, and ethical consumerism are crucial issues, they are often discussed from a place of privilege—the privilege of having the time, resources, and energy to engage in the debate at all.

Now, this doesn’t mean these issues aren’t important—they are. But when we act as if these are the only concerns that matter, we risk dismissing those whose daily reality isn’t defined by these conversations.

The truth is, privilege often shapes what we consider to be “controversial.”

Perspective Shift: The Problem Isn’t That People Disagree—It’s How We Respond

Imagine two people—one is a musician who dreams of performing for a living, the other is a chef passionate about creating meals that bring people together. Neither one needs to convince the other that their work is valuable. The musician isn’t wrong for not caring about perfecting a recipe, and the chef isn’t wrong for not spending hours perfecting a melody. They both contribute to the world in different, meaningful ways.

So why do we expect universal agreement on controversial topics?

We often believe our job is to convince others to think like us. But in reality, our job is to inspire.

Inspiration invites conversation. Convincing breeds division.

When we forget the privilege of having strong opinions, we become smug. We start delivering messages that feel condescending instead of compelling. Instead of listening to people’s stories, we try to “win” arguments. Instead of understanding context, we assume that our perspective is the only valid one.

The Danger of Debate Without Perspective

Many controversial issues get framed as “Who is right?” and “Who is wrong?” instead of asking, “What is the full context?”

Think about it—how often do we engage in conversations with the assumption that our perspective is the only one that matters? That our values, priorities, and experiences should be the universal standard?

When we engage with issues without acknowledging the privileges that shape our perspective, we fall into the trap of entitlement—expecting others to agree with us, assuming the world should function in a way that makes sense to us alone.

And that’s where division thrives.

A Better Approach: Consider the Context Before the Controversy

Next time you see a “controversial” issue, ask yourself these questions instead:

✅ What is the full context of this issue?
✅ Who is affected by this, and in what ways?
✅ Where is this conversation happening—globally, nationally, locally?
✅ At what time in history? How does that shape the conversation?
✅ Which cultural perspectives are influencing the discussion?
✅ What outcome would uplift the entire community, rather than just one side?

When we shift from controversy to context, we create space for better conversations, deeper understanding, and solutions that actually help people.

Let Go of “Winning” and Focus on Solutions

If we truly want to make the world better, we need to release our grip on being right. Instead of digging into one side of an argument or the other, we should be open to solutions that uplift everyone.

Because at the end of the day, no real progress is made by dividing people into “winners” and “losers.” The best solutions are the ones that honor multiple truths and create shared growth.

Final Thought: Every Story Matters

Before you enter your next debate, before you form an opinion about something controversial, ask yourself:

🔹 Am I truly listening to understand, or just waiting to respond?
🔹 Is my viewpoint shaped by my privilege? If so, how does that limit my perspective?
🔹 What would it look like to approach this conversation with humility rather than certainty?

And most importantly, what story is missing from this conversation?

The world isn’t black and white. Issues aren’t just right or wrong. But when we lead with curiosity instead of entitlement, we open the door to solutions that work for everyone.

So let’s start asking better questions. Let’s start considering the context before we get caught up in the controversy.

And most importantly—let’s listen.

Join the Conversation

💬 What’s an issue where understanding the full context changed your perspective? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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