Now, more than ever, is the time to start becoming more politically active.
Some people dedicate their lives to political action, while others blink an eye toward politics once every four years. I am willing to bet that, like myself, a large portion of the American population falls somewhere in between.
However, no matter where one falls on that spectrum, there is always more to be done.
It is no secret that the past few politically driven months have left the country severely polarized.
Right-wingers and left-wingers alike have been equally stressed over the last few months. Change in a presidency and major policy adjustments can stir up an understandable amount of stress and contention.
This can lead to feeling helpless in a time where help is needed most. It is important for the American people to make their voices loud enough for the president to hear. Turning helplessness into help and apathy into activity requires some work. Here are some ways to get started.
Local politics
Getting politically involved on a local level is crucial.
Knowing local politicians is the first step in the right direction. Idaho’s two United States senators are Jim Risch and Mike Crapo. The state’s two U.S. representatives are Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson.
Political discourse is all about climbing ladders. So eventually, with enough perseverance, individual thoughts from individual people can work their way up the ladder of politicians.
Call and write to local officials, or simply stay informed on their policies and platforms.
Stay informed
Some people love news media and some hate it. No matter what, it is incredibly important to stay informed. That means reading, watching and listening to the news — in all its forms. Do not let the idea of “fake news” get in the way of becoming politically educated. As long as there is a want for information, journalists will be there to help.
Dive into history
There really is no better way to understand the present and future of politics than understanding the past. It is important to know where this politically crazed country began in the first place. A good history textbook and a political documentary or two are the best friends of a politically engaged person.
Contrary to popular belief, history can be fun. For college students, taking a history course even when it is not necessarily required can be a great decision. Learning about the ins and outs of past political policies, leaders and consequences will only establish a stronger understanding of current politics.
Converse and argue
Conversing with friends and family about politics often only leads to two outcomes — agreement or argument.
Arguing about politics might be the last thing that anyone wants to do, but a healthy, friendly and well-communicated argument is a great way to get to know the political ideas of others, while voicing one’s own. But remember, arguments in the comments section of Facebook rarely ever produce successful results. So, stick with respectful face-to-face communication in the classroom, in a coffee shop or, even better, in a public forum.
Even though it helps to communicate with people who do not share the same political ideologies, speaking with the people of the same political thoughts can help bring out new ideas and ways to get involved together.
Be kind
It may not seem like being kind is a crucial part of becoming or staying politically active, but it means more than one would think. America lacks kindness when it comes to politics, and that is why many people are turned off by the idea of engagement. It can be difficult to stay positive in the face of political adversity, but providing a supportive and encouraging attitude is the ultimate way to get everyone politically engaged.
The whole world is having a very politically charged moment. Keep the momentum going, do not lose faith in politics just yet and help even when it seems hopeless.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97