RICHMOND COUNTY - As a 19-year-old that is constantly reading articles and watching the news, I find it vital for young people to participate in political engagement. Sadly, this is not happening and is a major issue that greatly affects our nation.
The Founding Fathers deemed it self-evident that those with a stake in society should have a voice in determining who would govern and what decisions were made within that society. They believed that those voices should be heard.
According to Pew Research Center in the 2012 election, there was a 34-percentage point difference between how many 18-to-29-year-olds voted versus how many 65-and-overs voted. As recently as ten years ago, there was no difference between those two age groups. I see this as a huge problem. Too many times have I talked to peers about modern day political issues and get the classic “I don’t really care” or “I don’t watch the news; I don’t know what you’re talking about” response.
Within moments of opening our eyes after waking up, we have checked our smart phones for not only text messages and missed calls, but all social media outlets as well. I know from my own experience, I’ve checked Facebook, Instagram, and even Twitter first thing in the morning.
Spending this much time looking at these media sites doesn’t seem all too bad in the big scheme of things, but when we take a step back and look at what we have gathered from those social media sites, we wonder if young people are up to date on what really matters in the world.
Between classes, tests, study dates, finding time to eat, spending time with friends, and even enjoying simple Netflix nights, young people in today's world are finding it difficult to stay "plugged in" to current events.
Studies show that less than five percent of college students have a clear grasp on world events, whether it be in politics, finances, or even religious events. However, these current events should be the first priority.
Keeping up with these events is more than just sharing a Facebook article about increasing gas prices or following #TrumpForPres2020 on Twitter. It’s about actively engaging in political clubs and groups such as the Richmond Community College Republicans or monthly political party meetings. It’s about calling and mailing your representatives and voicing your opinion or even just showing your support.
We are lucky to have some of the best representatives in North Carolina and I’m sure they’ll tell you that this has a much greater impact than one would be led to believe.
I cannot stress enough the importance of implementing these actions and I want you to emphasize it just as much to your children, grandchildren, and any youth that you are around.
As Ronald Reagan once said “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” I think this holds more weight today did it did 28 years ago.
