Power in Politics: Staffer stresses the importance of young people educating themselves politically

I’ve always been someone with strong opinions. For me, waffles beat pancakes any day, Pinterest’s quirky-girl content puts VSCO’s to shame and Apple Music wants what Spotify has. No matter the topic, I’m the person to take a stance and be vocal about it.

Within the past few years, I’ve found my niche in the realm of politics, a calling that satisfies my penchant for problem-solving and love of helping others. To some, it may seem daunting, but choosing to put in the effort to stay up to date on election news and general political happenings makes for a more well-rounded individual, regardless of the party they support.

American citizens take for granted their incredible privilege to participate in the political process, and as tension in our country increases by the day, it’s more important than ever for teenagers to educate themselves about the world around them. 

Social media is 100% to blame for my interest in politics — combined with a little influence from my enthusiastic family — but not everyone has easy avenues to exposure. As frequently as I tune into NPR on my way to school and check the New York Times for updates on the 2020 election, I realize many of my peers can’t name even one of the four congresspeople from our own state.

For those who don’t know, their names are Roger Marshall, Sharice Davids, Ron Estes and Steve Watkins, and their importance is nothing to be downplayed. They fiddle with behind-the-scenes details that directly impact Kansans, from school budgets to forums bringing national discussions straight to locals.  

I can understand why most teens don’t throw themselves into politics. Our days are governed by never-ending Spanish flashcards, after-school sports practices and Snapchat stories that demand our undivided attention. But the future is coming sooner than we think, and the only way to change it is to act now.

Claiming that politics don’t matter to teenagers couldn’t be further from the truth. Debates over hot-button issues like gun control, student debt, healthcare and climate change dominate Twitter’s trending page, and no matter your opinion on these all-too relevant topics, sitting back idly does no good for anyone. Most teens exist comfortably with the belief that they can avoid politics until they’re of voting age, but 18 years of indifference doesn’t make for successful integration into America’s political environment.

As a 16-year-old girl in 2019, I understand more than most what it’s like to feel small, especially in a nation primarily run by old, white men who think young people aren’t capable of changing it. Issues that dominate headlines appear much bigger than me, and national crises seem to reach a volume higher than my voice ever could. As bleak as this may sound, it’s not without hope. Teens, myself often included, tend to forget about the tools they have to spread their thoughts right at their fingertips. 

Social media allows young people to be a part of the conversation, to share their views and advocate for issues that matter to them. All it takes is a few clicks to create an account that puts you under a spotlight with the same luminosity as politicians and elementary-aged kids alike. Many teens use social media as an outlet to voice their political opinions. Instagram provides an easy way to share messages through a feature that allows users to repost one person’s post onto their own stories. Twitter allows accounts to re-tweet messages posted by other users to show their support. But how can we cross over the line from social media activism into real-world action?

Thanks to student-run groups right here at East such as Youth and Government, Feminist Club and Coalition, those interested — and all of us should be — in taking that next step have more than plenty of opportunities to do so. As high schoolers, it can be scary to think about the world beyond the walls of East, but it’s important for teens to know they aren’t alone. Though these clubs teach you about political processes and provide a means to keep yourself updated about current events, perhaps most important is the ability to find a network of people who speak up for their values and want to see the world improve.

There was a time when teenagers were forced out of political conversations, but it’s clearer than ever the point of separation between youth and government needs to be blurred. Teens can no longer afford to stay silent in conversations that demand the addition of our voices. 

We’re unbelievably lucky to attend a school with so many outlets for students to take their passions and execute them into involvement, but unless we all realize the consequences of complacency, we will continue to be excluded from the political narrative.

Adolescence is a scary time for everyone. Simple acts like volunteering for a campaign or signing up for an educating newsletter take courage, and from this courage comes empowerment driven by the realization that we have a power no one can take away or diminish. Even when the thought of speaking out about something like a climate change stance might be intimidating, it’s crucial for us to realize our contributions matter.

I won’t be of voting age by the time 2020’s presidential and congressional elections roll around, but I don’t care; we all have a duty to stand up for our personal beliefs. The outcomes of debates in Congress become legislature that directly affects our lives, and whether the impact takes months or years, it’s essential that we pay attention to decisions being made right now when we have the power to change our own worlds.