Let’s talk about how we don’t talk about politics

As bipartisanship decreases among our national government it seems as though the same is happening in our classrooms. Students are afraid to have political discourse because we are afraid to be disagreed with. We are all raised on the morals of respect, inclusion, and sharing – Why does it seem now, as young adults, we struggle with those same topics?
Being properly informed is crucial to democracy. According to Yahoo News, on Election night the most popular google searches from over 200,000 users per question were “what is an electoral vote,” “what are the swing states 2024,” and “who is running for president on election day.” This large number of voters has the ability to significantly impact an election, and many don’t know what they’re voting on.
Schools should be the place for students to learn how to speak with people they disagree with, but it seems as though we have lacked these qualities since middle school began. Some of that may be explained by our years learning in and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. But our school community is filled with many diverse beliefs and opinions, and in order to have a civil discussion, students and teachers must first be willing to allow the discussion of sensitive or political topics within classrooms.
One of the main reasons students avoid political conversations is fear: fear of being disagreed with, misunderstood, or even ostracized. This fear stifles growth. Schools should be the place where students feel safe to voice their opinions and learn how to engage with people who think differently.
Education should aim to reduce bias rather than reinforce it. Balanced discussions that present multiple viewpoints empower students to make thoughtful decisions, not just about voting but about their broader role in society. When students have the opportunity to hear all sides of an issue, they gain the confidence to form their own opinions and respect those of others, even when they disagree. By incorporating political discussion within the curriculum students are able to talk about politics and ease the tensions when discussing heavier topics such as gun violence, abortion, or immigration.
For instance, by tying the economy to a business class lecture, students are able to be more informed of the state of the economy as a whole and make educated decisions based on their knowledge from discussions in class. In history or English classes, teachers can combine historical events and works of literature with current events. The state of conflicts domestically and globally, as well as books of varying historical time periods, can relate to promises made by both candidates in the recent election. All of these issues and much more affect our daily lives whether we realize or not and being properly informed without bias is extremely vital to the decision making efforts on election day by voters.
This is bigger than just the most recent election. This is more than voting in the United States; it is being properly informed in order to help decide the future of our great nation. Thanks to the actions of brave men and women that serve us everyday, we are all blessed to be able to exercise the right of freely voicing our opinions, voting for our beliefs and values, and openly disagreeing or agreeing with our national government.
It is disappointing that we are discouraged and fearful of sharing our thoughts and ideas in a classroom on the topics that affect us when we step out of a classroom. Having an awareness of different opinions helps us build a foundation, learning how to resolve issues with bipartisanship.
Although some issues may not feel so immediately important to all of us right now, we need to learn how to address and take action on them in our adult lives.
Political discourse and conversations, even among people who disagree, are essential for a healthy and functional community and future entrance into society. They allow for the exchange of ideas, the testing of assumptions, and the building of bridges between diverse perspectives. However, the inability to engage constructively with those who hold different views is increasingly common. As the U.S government shifts its leadership, we believe it is vital to encourage students to engage in political discussion and for teachers to create an environment to properly do so. The best way is to start in a place where we as young adults spend most of our time, all while being respectful of one another’s difference of opinion regardless of what the opposing view thinks or says.