Why I Don’t Wanna Hear “I’m Not Talking Politics”

By: Nick Smaldone

Especially near an election it’s common to hear a friend, family member, teacher, or anyone mention the phrase “I don’t wanna talk politics.” They say it because they already hear it enough from the news, they say it out of habit because they hear other people say it all the time, or, for probably the most common reason, they say it because they don’t want to get in fights with other people.

But what people don’t understand is how dangerous this phrase can be, especially when discussing with younger generations. What happens in the government today is our future and it is our duty to discuss it. It is our duty to voice our opinion and ideas so that others have a better understanding of it. Saying that we shouldn’t talk about politics is ignoring the damaged state of our world and shows some people’s chosen ignorance. Conversation is how we learn; in school we are taught person to person communication. Then once we reach the real world we rely on news sites and news channels to inform us about politics. We cannot block out all interaction on a topic that everyone must be thoroughly educated in order for a society to progress.  

And furthermore, simply talking about politics will not end the problem. In order to end the disagreements that often accompany political talk, we must also be open minded, caring, and empathetic towards what others believe. If we are willing to accept the other side of a view point as a valid belief we can freely and openly talk about politics that matter and affect everyone, not just shove it under the rug until what happens in government becomes such a big problem that we have no choice to ignore it.

Shunning the problems in our society in homes and schools fosters a youth who think that these problems don’t matter, that they will never matter. That people shouldn’t rally for change in what they see is wrong. That just because problems aren’t happening to them, they aren’t happening at all. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders and they should be informed about the society from which they come. It may sound cliche, but like all cliches it arises from an area of truth, something so important it must be repeated.

And although politics should not consume our lives, we shouldn’t be afraid to bring it up even when things get ugly.