I’m at a point in my life where my peers are either entirely clueless when it comes to politics or is extremely outspoken about their beliefs and opinions. I’m not going to sit here and tell you I know exactly what I’m talking about or I understand what’s happening in the news all the time because I don’t. I haven't been formally taught the difference between Republican and Democratic views. I wasn’t even made fully aware that Clinton still served the rest of his term after being impeached until about 30 minutes prior to me writing this. To my knowledge, impeachment is when someone in office is caught doing something they’re not supposed to and is forced to step down from their position. I now know that isn't necessarily true. Throughout my 18 years of life, I have relied solely on my parents and teachers to inform me of how things in the government work and the ins and outs of politics. It didn’t occur to me until this year that relying on anyone else to teach me about such controversial topics and beliefs is unreasonable. What goes on in the world around me is something I need to teach myself about. In doing so, it will be easier to form my own opinions and not have other people pushing theirs onto me. I have grown up in a house where talking about politics isn’t a common thing and an era where the internet is a huge advantage. I was always taught to believe in what I want and form my own opinions, so why not start doing so on bigger topics and things that actually matter in the world. Not that the debate on whether 5 Seconds of Summer is a boy band or not isn’t important, but that’s not the point. To anyone my age, older, younger... anyone who doesn’t inform themselves of the tragedies and successes of your country and our world, I encourage to start doing so. Speak up when you believe it is necessary. Discuss and debate topics that need to be talked about. Stand up for yourself, your religion, your race, and everything far and few between. Be the voice that the person sitting next to you may not have. Be the change you want to see. Who knows, with the right platform or the right people around you, you could make the biggest difference in the world.
k.p.
