Everyone should care about what is going on in the world around them, and some do. Some definitely don’t. Caring can seem so small, especially when living in a small town in Montana, but every person matters. I get told, “You’re too woke” when I start passionately talking about an issue in my Government Class. All of a sudden, I can feel eyes batting in my direction, and then it feels like I’m holding a big sign that says “Glare at me because I care about strangers that might not look and live like me”.
I was thirteen when politics became more present in my life. During the Presidential Election in 2020, was the first year that I was on social media, and that’s when I first really understood what the political parties were. I was ignorant when it came to fully researching and understanding what I believed in, but I knew I felt strongly about it. At fifteen, I got into Journalism, and then a short few months later at sixteen, I joined the Spartan Scoop. For the past two years, I have constantly been trying to keep myself aware of what’s going on around the world. Not only can being informed be seen in the journalism based classes, but most history classes dive into current events every day, too.
It’s not logically difficult to be aware; listen to five minutes of a NPR podcast, or watch a quick video with CNN10. What many people in the U.S. struggle with today is the emotional baggage that comes with politics: knowing all politicians aren’t perfect, the whole government system has its flaws, and we are living in parts of history that will be taught in the future.
COVID-19 will be taught just like the Spanish Flu is. The last few presidential elections will be taught in future government classes. That can be an unimaginable concept to think about, but it doesn’t mean that we can dismiss what’s happening right now, or try to ignore it.
Especially before turning 18, politics can seem intangible because you can’t vote. Voting sure is one of the most important parts, but there’s so much you can do before you’re able to vote. For instance, my government teacher, Mr. Nordquist, was telling us how important voting is. While at the time, there was maybe only one 18 year old in class. He went on to tell us that there’s other ways to make an effort. Before his mom could vote, she would drive people to go vote. Whether that was an elderly person who couldn’t drive anymore, or just someone who couldn’t get out. Another way is to protest, and it’s for those of all ages. If a person cares enough, there are various ways to protest; whether you stand outside with a crowd of people and sign, or post on social media to bring awareness.Many people of voting age still decide not to. There are many arguments, even in my household, about those who chose not to vote. One out of about 341 million total people in the United States feel small. When you see that comparison, it can create a sense of doubt if your vote really matters, but it should show that each and every person should care to push for the difference. If every voter decided that their vote doesn’t count and won’t make a difference, there would be no elections, and no change.
Sometimes a person’s vote won’t win or pass. What they voiced and protested didn’t have the outcome that they wanted, but what matters is that they continued to strive for what they believe in. Citizens have the right to free speech and the right to peaceful assembly. Those who don’t put in the effort, don’t get to complain about the outcome.
In the world right now, there is a lot of talk about the Liberal vs. Republican parties. The media is constantly putting voters against each other. For example, there was a recent TikTok trend that was comparing the two. One video would say, “I’ve never seen a pretty Republican”, while another video would come back saying, “I’ve never seen a mentally stable Liberal”. It’s gone past beliefs, to making fun of people about things that have nothing to do with their political party. Down to the bare bones of it, everyone will fall under their own beliefs. The issue is the extremist far-left and far-right ideologies. Together, U.S. citizens need to be talking as a whole to discuss what would better our society and benefit our country, instead of fighting against each other.
This has always been known throughout our political system. Something I find interesting is George Washington’s Farewell Address. Washington talks about the negative impact that political parties have. He worried that putting up parties would put the people against each other instead of being able to communicate differing opinions. Especially in the last five years, the political parties have been tearing people apart. It’s turned into a label, a social statement, instead of a deep conversation about what is best for our people.
In no way will every single human being have the same beliefs. There’s so many religious systems and different ways to be raised, but human rights should not be a debate. Women, people of color, people who want to go to college, LGBTQ+ people, and all other people should not live in fear every day to open the news.
