“You Need to Get More Political”
By Nelly Rubio
There’s a dangerous kind of silence spreading in our time. It’s the heavy silence that comes when people stop believing their voices matter — the silence after the sound of “I don’t do politics” or “They’re all the same, so why vote?”
We call disengagement “self-care.”
We scroll past Instagram posts that show us the cruelty and corruption in the world, and we tell ourselves that it’s not our problem.
Apathy has become like anesthesia for us — and anesthesia, left too long, turns into rot.
I’ve heard some say that “smart people stay out of politics.” That smart people are “too busy building,” or “too focused on real life.”
Yet everything that is built, everything in real life, is dependent on politics — the rent you pay, whether we get to breathe clean air or not, the rules that define who gets to belong.
Opting out of politics isn’t rebellion — it’s submission.
We must remember that every empire that crumbled from within did so with its citizens shouting, Enough!
Politics is the mechanism that decides which lives matter, what’s affordable, what’s illegal, and what’s justifiable. If we neglect the machinery, someone else will maintain it for their own benefit.
To “not care about politics” is to hand over the controls of the future to whoever still does — and believe me, someone always does.
History relies on those who pay attention.
The real question is whether you’ll let politics impact you without speaking up. Indifference spreads easily — but courage does too. One person choosing to care again can change everything.
When we stop caring, it doesn’t bring peace. It allows others to control our lives without our consent.
What people need to realize is that we have more power than we think.
If you’re not involved and would like to get involved, start by learning about the issues shaping your future. From climate and education to jobs and justice — you can decide what matters most to you and play a part in how it matters.
Register to vote, show up on Election Day, and remind your friends to do it too.
You can also get involved locally: volunteer for a campaign, join a community group, or attend town hall meetings to see how decisions get made.
Speak up — online and offline — because your voice can spark real conversations and influence policy.
Most importantly, stay hopeful and engaged. Politics isn’t just for older generations; it’s about the future — for every generation living, and the ones to come. It needs your energy, your ideas, and your courage to make it better.
It’s tempting to ignore the world, but choosing to pay attention can make even a small difference for the better.
If this speaks to you, share it with someone who hasn’t been talking much. Begin a conversation, not a fight.
We can’t afford to stay silent any longer. We must speak up — and, as always, we must get more political.
