I remember coming across a post that lambasted those who shunned politics or considered it to be a hobby one could choose to exclude themselves from. These words resonated with me so much and I found myself letting out a low chuckle.
For the longest time, however much I pored over the politics section of the newspaper, I'd still proudly announce that I wasn't really into that particular realm. I grossly misinterpreted politics to be the sanctuary of the loud and elderly folks dressed in white and deriving pleasure from hurling abuses at one another. Fast-forward to today and things have changed a lot. Over the years, I've come to realise the amount of significance politics serves to knit into the fabric of society.
It bridles every single aspect of our lives and decides how the chords of our future will play out. If you are concerned about who will pull the strings regarding how our future turns out, you need to be political. You need to have an opinion. You need to take sides. You need to keep questioning everyone, from your local authorities to those occupying the highest echelons of power. You need to wrestle with the forces of injustice and inequality, and with all that you believe is wrong.
Instead of whiling away your time waiting for someone to reverse any damage wrought, why can't you start with yourself first? Just a single person is enough to torpedo the foundation of wrongdoing and you can get to be that voice.
Be proactive. Read. Read even more. Learn about issues that affect your loved ones, your locality, your state, your country and the world in general. Educate those who don't have access.Disagree when you know you need to. Know your place.
Reading about what you intend to speak, write or debate about is extremely important because it's highly likely that you can make mistakes along the way. I myself have gotten called out for passing opinions that reeked of ignorance. At that point you may feel like defending yourself, but it's important to open your mind to multiple viewpoints at all times. You shouldn't really read too little and then post too much about something.
Get hold of newspapers, books, magazines or journals. Google your doubts. Ask around to people who are well-read. Make good use of social media to connect with like-minded individuals, to exchange your views and to learn more. Post your views. Let people know the reasons for your beliefs.
Exercise your vote wisely. You should not be voting just to take a picture of it and show off about it on social media. Your vote is your weapon against systems that drain the resources of the people and do nothing to bring about a tangible change.
There will always be someone who will take umbrage at your standpoints. Debate precedes any form of change. You need disagreement to broaden your perspective, to learn to be more inclusive as well as to contour your argument. Maybe you could be wrong? Maybe you are right but your argument needs to be better structured?
There is so much at one's disposal today. Wouldn't it be mortifying if you did nothing to effectuate change and surrendered to the monotony of a life that vacuumed itself of responsibility and participation?