The importance of keeping an open mind

Judy Finnigan, Renee Zellweger, Robbie Williams & Ayda Field

Isn't it great to hear varying opinions on a particular subject? Life would be dull if everyone had the same point of view, although the chances of achieving world peace would have been greater. But in the social media age we are in at present, more and more people are expressing themselves freely. While some believe that such are perhaps too open and allow themselves to be exploited in a way that others may not like, others may argue that 'I'm off to the local supermarket to buy half-price full-skimmed milk' is a good way to understand that person. If people want to remain private, that is their choice, which they are perfectly entitled to.

But it is my belief that if anyone has an opinion they'd like to say out loud, the judgment of that individual must be justified whether you agree or disagree with the person in question. One recent example of that not being the case was with the release of footballer Ched Evans. Earlier this month, the Welshman was released from prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman. He served just two of the five years given to him leading to a queue of social media users condemning his release and potential return to his football career serving Sheffield United - the latter is still being discussed behind closed doors.

The release of Ched Evans is something I do question because even though he has served his minimum sentence according to the letter of the law, what is the point of saying he "could be locked up for five years" when it was deemed obvious from the start that he won't stay in prison until 2017? The level of criticism has reached fever pitch - over 100,000 signed a petition for Sheffield United to not sign him back up, but I believe that those who get out of prison need to return to civil society somehow. Telling a former criminal who have 'served their time' that they are worthless will probably get them reoffending again, but it may benefit a certain company to rehabilitate offenders to move on from their worthless acts and utilise their skills and make them better people again.

Yes, once a criminal always a criminal, but should that be the case for every offender (regardless of the offence they committed)? We'll lose count of the number of people who employers will never hire. Yes, what Ched Evans did was inexcusable and even after his release, he's justifying what he did, but he must be able to head to the right direction - give him 3-5 years rehabilitation and if he hasn't reoffended since, then why can't he return to civil society?

However, that is my opinion and if someone wanted to dispute that, then they are perfectly entitled to. So please spare a though for Ched Evans' girlfriend, Natasha Massey and TV presenter Judy Finnigan. Massey has openly stood by Evans since his release - going public to defend a convicted rapist isn't easy but the reaction aimed at her can be perceived as harsh, as some were judging her taste in men and insinuating her life priorities need to be relooked at.

Meanwhile, Judy Finnigan, who has no association with Evans, said on ITV's Loose Women that the Evans' rape was 'unpleasant', but 'not violent', which caused uproar. She attracted negative media attention, hitting all the front pages for comments that she was perfectly entitled to make, even if the supposed majority disagreed. The reaction to Finnigan's comments were so extreme, her daughter was at the receiving end of some truly disturbing attention which had gotten her father, and Judy's husband, Richard Madeley to get police involved.

The supposed majority have been vocal for a long time but this month definitely caught my eye. The second story where they united was when photos emerged of the 'new' Renee Zellweger. The Oscar winning actress who won an Academy Award for Cold Mountain, nominated for her roles in Chicago and Bridget Jones' Diary, and was credited in films such as Jerry Maguire and Miss Potter, appeared in a glitzy event in California looking, as reports suggest, 'unrecognisable'. It may have been the fact that we have not seen her about for a while because she hasn't featured in a feature film since 2010, but it is clear to see the notable changes to her appearance. Her eyes look more open and her rosy cheeks aren't so rosy. I must admit, I thought the pictures were spam when the news first broke, but she has come out and defended her looks.

Social media went crazy. How could Ms Zellweger do that to her looks, asks one. She has ruined her career, says another. These comments overshadow the small number of people who defended the cosmetic procedures the actress had. I recall reading reports in newspapers from columnists which say 'I wish I looked that good at 45'. But you have to read those papers to see that, or you are led to believe that almost everyone who has seen the 'new Renee' thinks she looks ridiculous. I for one want to see her acting again and hopes that recent reports haven't 'ruined her career'.

In other 'celebrity' news, the supposed majority had their jaws dropped with the very open Robbie Williams becoming a father for the second time. His wife Ayda Field gave birth to a boy. However, rather than many congratulating Ms Field for surviving the 14-hour labour which must have been very painful, many had their eyes-rolling at the former Take That singer for filming and live-tweeting the entire process. He took photos of his wife's contractions, making a serious situation unnerving by singing 'Let it Go' from Disney's Frozen, and doing anything to get the hours by.

Natasha Massey

It is fair to say that a lot of people found the 14 hours quite excruciating and piled on the sympathy for Ayda Field for coping with not only giving birth the second time, but hearing her husband's singing voice (which, let it be known here that I am a big Robbie fan). Was his actions just to boost his ego? In the end of the day, his wife married him and knew exactly who she married from the start. Robbie hasn't just started going crazy. We all remember him as the 'cheeky one' in Take That. He didn't live-tweet and people thought that was out of character. In fact, I may be the only person to admit that he filming for everyone to see was educational, particularly for those who aren't parents yet. The process of giving birth isn't discussed in schools (which I think it should be) - we then resort to unrealistic films such as Knocked Up to see what it is like to experience something like this first time around. Yes, Robbie has a song and dance about it, but fathers or prospective dads take their wives or girlfriends heading to labour differently.

These three stories have something in common. There is a popular opinion that overshadows those who want to innocently contradict. Yes, we have the 'trolls' and extremist groups who receive the recognition they unfortunately crave, and get, but I fear we are heading to a new social media era where an increasing number of people are afraid to speak out their opinion, as it may differ with the supposed majority who are passionately expressing their views. We are becoming less tolerant to others' views and I think it is time for more acceptance and open-mindedness.

We must be more accepting of the viewpoints of Natasha Massey, Judy Finnigan, and accept the path Renee Zellweger and Robbie Williams took to tackle their challenges and appreciate that you'd approaching things differently and not be closed minded about other people's thoughts.

Of course, we are entitled to disagree with viewpoints but we have to show some understanding that the path of an individual is just that - their path. We may think it is the wrong direction, such as the youths who flee the UK and join groups like ISIS in Syria, but instead of condemning them for life, we have the ability to guide them to another direction, influence their perspective and understand their frustration of the political backlash that have caused extremist groups to create such atrocities. Young people need to be encouraged that this isn't the only way to solve the problems they feel passionate about.

It seems as if an increasing number of people have their opinion and not acknowledge others. When it comes to religion, politics, astrology, even football, there doesn't seem to be a two-way communication. We are having this trend that if the vast majority agreed on one topic, yet one disagreed, then that one person would be hounded the same way Judy Finnigan was. Keeping an open mind and a balanced approach in communication, then lives would be made so much easier.