A lot of folks lately have commented that I am more political in 2020. And I gotta say, that’s a bit ignorant and misguided.
I am passionate about social justice, human rights, and the environment. And the only tie that has into politics is the voting to ensure equality and protections.
I don’t actually support our current political system. I find it outdated, messy, and extremely incompetent. I don’t believe in Democrat or Republican or the party system.
What I do care about is other people and a world bigger than myself. That’s not political.
I generally shrug off these folks as unaware because it’s quite frankly exhausting to explain to people who mostly don’t get it. When it comes to our political system, I actually have a lot to learn. Some of which I’m doing purely to ensure that I know how to help change the system Im learning about.
But Id like to address it here. I’m not political. I’m just not an asshole.
The things happening in our world are not a matter of simple political beliefs. We passed that a very long time ago. This is about so much more and that is what I care about. The right to equality. To make choices about my body. To provide basic healthcare to everyone. To make sure Mother Earth is here in 20 years.
I am educated because I do the research and because I care enough to put effort and energy into ensuring others have a life that affords them the things I’m afforded.
I am more than willing to help friends and teach them how to learn and get involved, but in this climate, people need to stop making excuses and start being better citizens of the world.
It’s not politics. It’s people.
Put in the work. Do the research. Ignorance is inexcusable. “Not being political” is a privileged and ignorant way of saying “I don’t care about this because it doesn’t affect me.” And I don’t have time for that anymore. I don’t know how to teach you to care and I don’t have the energy to care about you anymore if you don’t care about others.
In 2020 I’m more aware because I’m putting in the work and I realized being passively active in changing the world isn’t doing anything. I had to step up and actively work to do more and be better for the future of myself and others and this planet.
I get it, that sounds dramatic. But I’ve never been one to sit by and rely on others to get the job done. I’m also deeply passionate about impacting this world and the people in it in a positive way. Even if that’s only one person.
Maybe; you thinking I’m political is actually just your way of excusing your lack of involvement in making this world a better place, in caring about someone other than yourself. Maybe it makes you comfortable to think “she just loves politics and that’s not for me.” Truth of the matter, I’m not political and you might just be an asshole.