Becoming an Active Citizen

Political knowledge shows exponential growth from the time of birth, to the time of one’s epiphany: by epiphany, I mean one’s final conclusion that it is important to know everything and anything they can to best support their country by becoming an active citizen.

I believe I am approaching this epiphany as this semester concludes, and I believe I can devote my drive, or at least some of it, now, to Dr. Maloyed’s political science class. My growth in political involvement can best be described by taking a look at my very first blog post uploaded almost three months ago. I have never been even half this knowledgeable about politics until I entered this class and was “forced” to become an active citizen and try to understand the workings of the political world.

With that being said:

I feel like it is a great life to live, being a college aged student, because we have so many opportunities: one of those being political understanding and involvement of our government and its process.

I believe the most logical way for one to progress out of their shell at this age is, first, to distance one’s self from their guardians and stretch out to form their own opinions with the knowledge that is given and that is found, and grow as an active citizen.

Second, a necessary component to creating an opportunity out of being a college student is to have an open mind. It is important to not fully believe nor fully doubt ideas until you have taken a look at both sides and, more or less, understand each one and then form your opinion.

Third, there are an abundance of classes offered in the college atmosphere that can open one up numerous different views. It is important to take advantage of these classes that are offered and broaden your horizons.

Beyond college, there are oodles of different views among the people you know; including family. During this year’s Easter dinner discussion, we talked about the ongoing presidential race, where taxpayer money goes, the recent contraceptive controversy, and the successes and faults of previous presidents. Politics has always, and I believe will always make me nervous around my family. When talking with peers or friends, it isn’t as difficult for me to express my opinions, however when approaching an issue from a different standpoint than my elders, it is extremely difficult to convey my thoughts towards a political topic. However, this brings me to my fourth and final point, it isn’t impossible to share one’s information or to soak up information from others, including one’s elders. It opens up doors for each person in the situation. My grandparents got a taste of my views and in turn I now have a better understanding of their opinions. In fact, they swayed me a little in the opposite direction as I listened to their argument. Debating issues is an important part of the political process so each side can understand where the other is coming from.

It takes drive to want to learn as a citizen about one’s community, one’s country and one’s world. As Jason Matthews states in his article, “it is both a right and a duty to have a certain amount of involvement in the policies of the nation.” I feel like many choose to sit back and let others deal with the opinions, as it is a difficult duty to become an active citizen and educate yourself along the way. I think the world has a positive future when its citizens are involved and burden the process of creating success among the human race.