Maybe when I was younger, I imagined the place I lived would be ideal. A lot of what I believed about the world came from the media I consumed as a kid — TV shows, cultural narratives — combined with the beliefs of the adults around me. Back then, I thought certain political figures could do no wrong, simply because that’s what I was told.

I’ve noticed that some people refuse to engage with news or information that challenges what they already believe. They ignore articles or reports that don’t align with their worldview. Extremist groups today, for example, seem smaller, older, and frustrated because society no longer allows them the influence they once had. They often want things to go their way not because they’re fair or just, but because they feel entitled.

I also realize that growing up in one environment can shape how you view the rest of the world. Even countries with reputations for tolerance or progress can still surprise you with bias or hostility, and streams of media or online experiences can highlight that in vivid ways.

Reflecting on all this, I’m grateful for the chance to expand my perspective and question what I was taught. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s necessary to separate inherited beliefs from personal understanding.