Can we please don’t talk about politics? It’s so boring.
I prefer staying neutral on tendentious issues.
Isn’t it only the politicians' jobs to talk about politics?
These are some statements I’m sure you might have heard before. In fact, you might have even said them yourself or hold such a view currently. Whilst these sentiments may have become so ordinary, they underlie society’s failure to recognize the harmful mentality that is causing people to formulate them. This is the trap of being apolitical: having no interest or involvement in politics.
Let’s begin with understanding why many choose to be apolitical. For one, the taboo around talking about politics leads many to shun away from doing so. Political issues often incite one to state their opinion, which could clash with their conservative beliefs. With the growing polarisation of politics, merely having an opinion could incite unwanted criticism. This is especially so for controversial issues where one’s opinion, which inevitably differs from some others’, renders them afraid of voicing it out. They wish to prevent giving those who hold the majority view the grounds to invalidate and undercut their view, thereby choosing to keep it to themselves instead. Such fear of being “wrong” is fundamentally why many stay silent on politics.
Besides, bringing up politics is perceived as steering the conversation in a high level of logical and intellectually stimulating direction that many deem to be unfit for everyday ordinary conversations meant to be for the more mundane and exciting features in life. Say, if you could choose between discussing the newest COVID-19 budget schemes or your dream travel destinations with the establishment of the VTL*, I’m sure your choice would likely lean towards the latter. These sentiments then manifest themselves in people throwing politics off the discussion table.
Or perhaps some might be apolitical as they see politics as disconnected from their lives. This is especially true amongst those who are content with their lives and see no urgency to change the status quo. They then choose to remove themselves from the trouble of wrestling with unfamiliar politics jargon. Often compounding this belief is the idea that they are insignificant and unable to incite any change even if they were involved. They perceive elected politicians and larger social organizations being the only ones with political capital and thereby detach themselves from it.
Whilst these might appear to be valid reasons, a huge flaw looms in this line of thinking. Rather than just merely being bureaucratic governing systems and processes, politics in fact lays the foundation for many of the choices we are able to make in life; almost any topic you can think of is bound to be related to or manipulated by politics. From the clothes you choose to wear to the type of housing you choose to live in, pretty much anything is imbued with political values and power. Being apolitical therefore renders a misguided belief that non-participation in political discussions equals removing oneself entirely from politics. Our lives are inherently political and being apolitical does nothing more than shutting away reality.
The failure to recognise this significance of politics and power also flashes out one’s privileges. The privilege of not having to worry about one’s rights being taken away if there were to be a change in the political systems. The privilege of being so comfortable with one’s own life that one is able to build a bubble and live oblivious to the effects of politics. More importantly, the privilege of even having this choice while others in society are unable to disconnect themselves from politics even if they wished to.
Taking for instance the issue of gender inequality. Women have historically had to fight for their rights against laws that threaten their lives. The ban on abortion, which still exists today in many countries, in particular encapsulates this issue. There is no room for women who wish to get an abortion to be apolitical as they would be losing a possible lifeline. They need to voice out their opinions to signal to their government, typically dominated by men with no interest in protecting women’s rights, that they need access to abortion. There is no room to disengage themselves from the matter if they wish to preserve this basic right and body autonomy. Amidst such a debate, those who choose to sit on the fence represent a poignant display of their privileges for they hold a luxury those battling for their life every day hardly get a chance to enjoy. Choosing to be apolitical therefore is a misuse of this privilege and a blow to others not fortunate enough to have it in the first place.
So now you may be wondering how can I then get involved in politics? Well, one simple way would be to start consistently reading the news if you do not already do so. Be sure to diversify your new sources lest you fall prey to the inherent biases news outlets hold in their styles of reporting. To start, you can read on issues you are interested in and slowly challenge yourself by branching out to more “uncomfortable” topics. Don’t worry about feeling discomfort as it is a sign you are stepping out of your comfort zone. After reading others’ perspectives, take some time to reflect on your own view of the matter. Keeping such lively and active connections to current affairs aids you in formulating your own opinions and eventually developing a clear political stance.
Should you find reading the official news to be insufficient, you can choose to supplement your knowledge with the endless number of social activist accounts on social media sites. These accounts aim to bring attention to the social issue they are advocating for, making their information educational and concise.
As I ask you to consider choosing not to be apolitical, I am not hoping for you to immediately form an opinion on everything. Instead, I hope you start this incremental learning process and be encouraged to step out of your comfort zone to become more politically aware and involved!
Written by: Alina Tan Xuan Yun (21A14)
Edited by: Wee Yu Yan (21S66), Tran Vu Phuong Uyen (21A15)
(*) VTL: Vaccinated travel lane
Comments