Someone always gets to decide. A judge, jury, media, influencer, criminal, teacher, professional, tradesman, client or child. The list continues.
The key is to try to make as many of your own decisions as possible. Stay healthy, so doctors don’t have to make decisions for you. Stay in safe areas so the criminals don’t get to decide how your life goes.
Same with staying out of trouble with police, make good decisions for you so the authorities don’t get to make decisions that affect your life.
Sometimes some person will decide you’re an -ist or -phobic. It could be accurate but may not be. They could use 1 data point out of 300. That may be enough for them and their standard.
People’s opinion can wield incredible power. Please use your power well. With great power comes great responsibility. Your decision to use certain words can have a similar impact as an executioner’s sword.
Deciding to destroy a person and their family, first by reputation, then it hits financially and finally physically, is not something to take lightly or in a casual conversation.
Who decides often depends on the circumstances. Be kind.