Sophia Tascone

Often in conversations with other students, I am met with phrases like “I’m not political” or “I don’t do politics,” and every time, I visibly cringe. Politics are not something we can choose to “not do.” They surround us in almost every aspect of our lives, whether we notice it or not. By disengaging with politics, you are also disengaging with social justice, human rights, the affordability of food and housing, and even your own education. 

Political actions, from local zoning laws to state weed legislation to congressional funding bills, are intricately linked to social justice. The laws that are passed at all levels of government can have significant impacts on the people who are forced to abide by them. Often, these impacts are related to human rights and social justice.   

For example, something as simple as a city funding bill can severely harm minority or low-income communities. Although the practice of redlining has been made illegal by the Fair Housing Act, the impacts of this practice are still seen in many cities across the country, including Greensboro. An uneven distribution of funds can allow the development of upper-class parts of the city while hindering the development of those parts that are still suffering from the consequences of redlining. 

Many parts of daily life are similarly affected by politics and government. Healthcare, salaries, prices, housing, infrastructure, and so much more are inherently political. Much of your access to healthcare and the quality of the care you receive is dependent upon the development and enforcement of laws by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The wages you are paid, as well as the prices of groceries, housing, gas and more, are all reliant on the economy, which is tied to political tensions and values. From tariffs to inflation to taxes, the entire United States economy is heavily reliant on our central government and its policies.  

Institutional politics play an incredibly vital role in education as well. Public universities and school districts are funded through both local and federal governments. Therefore, government bills can also be detrimental to these schools, their content, and their ability to adequately support students’ learning. Additionally, any financial aid that comes from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) comes from the federal government. Due to this, federal laws and spending bills can change the financial accessibility of education. 

Why Does Your 

Engagement with 

Politics Matter? 

Often, when I ask more thoroughly about their disengagement from politics, these people tell me that they also do not vote. I find issues with this for many reasons. The government is organized the way that it is to allow all Americans to be accurately represented. Not voting undermines this goal and leads to election results that do not accurately represent the people’s desires. 

A common reason I hear for disengaging with politics is that “it doesn’t matter” or “I’m just one person—what can I do?” This is a large misconception. Given how many people use this excuse, I would argue that if all of them started engaging and doing something, it would significantly change and influence the state of politics in our country. It is important to realize that even though we are all individual people, we do have a say in what happens, and our voices are much more important than we often realize. 

So, What Can You Do? 

When I suggest getting involved in politics, I don’t mean vigorously following the news, running for public office, or anything extreme like that. I am aware that politics are incredibly stressful, especially right now. The bare minimum of engagement is all that’s necessary to stay at least somewhat aware. 

I suggest, at the very least, learning about candidates and voting. Learn about your senators and representatives—the people who are supposed to help make your voice heard—and hold them accountable. Hold them to their duties in government and speak up when they are not doing so. 

By “speak up,” I do not necessarily mean vocally. Vote in primary, midterm, local, and presidential elections. Because of how ingrained politics are in our daily lives, it is incredibly important to use your voice in any way you are able, and you cannot do that if you are “not political.”