In the past I regarded myself as a very loyal person. Over time I've learned that loyalty makes people misuse you and keep themselves blind to others' sins – usually because they benefit from those sins. Mainly, it taught me that loyalty can cause you to become so entangled in ideas, institutions, rules – basically anything outside of yourself – that you lose the ability to differentiate between right and wrong and your own opinions versus opinions that have been forced onto you.
Cambridge defines loyalty as being firm and unchanging in your friendship or support of a person or organisation or in your views/principles. Why do you suppose something like the Second World War happened? Or the implementation of apartheid? If you ask me: blind loyalty. I think one of the biggest mistakes we make is to assume that these people or followers were held in the dark on purpose. It is true to an extent. Propaganda plays a big role, but if loyalty isn't in your nature it makes you less impressionable. It's the same reason why advertising works better on some people.
There is, however, large groups of people who deliberately keep themselves blind to the truth even when they know something is amiss or that they do not agree with certain beliefs. Why? Because it's just easier. How many times haven't you heard that one before? Nobody likes going against the grain. Just look at how people were regarded as conspiracy theorists when they talked about Epstein island but now that more and more information is coming to light, those same people who criticised them aren't making a peep.
If you decide not to be loyal you have to be prepared to make some enemies. It should actually be a red flag for you if a person is liked by everyone since that probably means they are faking it with some or even all of the people around them. Loyalty is like pretty packaging. Behind it hides nepotism, corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, the list goes on.
What is really ironic to me is that Cambridge defines disloyal as not supporting someone who you should support. I don't agree. Support is important, loyalty is not. Is telling the truth even if it can hurt someone, wrong? If someone truly supports you they will also point out your mistakes instead of helping you cover them up or even encouraging them. One thing is certain: I have opinions and beliefs and I am allowed to change them. If you really believe you live in a country with freedom of speech and association then you must first look around you to see if you are really making your own choices.
Open your eyes. Be your own person. And read more, especially pieces by people who have been criticised for their opinions such as George Orwell with Animal Farm. Don't expect positive changes in this society if you are not willing to work for it. I know what I believe to be right and wrong. Do you? Or are you blinded by a wall of loyalty which you helped build?
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