"We must always take sides. Neutrality always supports the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." -Elie Wiesel
No worries, I am not talking about political issues, nor am I revealing my views. I simply want to explain the transformation that has taken place within me over the past few years.
I have always been quite patriotic; I thank Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, my Mammaw, for that. As a seven-year-old second grader I made the decision that the theme of my bedroom would be "America." Each wall was either red, white, or blue with stars sponged from top to bottom. I am really regretting that blue carpet I chose, but I am not regretting the patriotism that has run through my veins since I was small. It never needed to be the Fourth of July for me to sport the stars and stripes, it simply had to be a day ending in "Y." My love for my country has been coursing through me since I was old enough to walk, but an understanding and support of our government is something that took a lot longer to develop.
In high school I refused to form an opinion about any important or controversial issues. I knew I wasn't nearly informed enough to make valid choices, and I would inevitably adopt my parents' views if I were to "choose a side." I was naive and uninformed, and I was aware of that.
As a senior I was required to take government, and that is what opened the door to the development of my own opinions.
I just happened to be a senior during the 2012 presidential election, and though I wasn't old enough to vote that November, the election played a huge role in opening my eyes to some of the biggest issues plaguing America. I went to see candidates speak about the economy, retirement funds, and increasing concern regarding national security. I was thoroughly intrigued.
I was becoming more informed about issues and policies, yet I still failed to take a clear stance. The overwhelming opinion was no opinion at all. My naive conclusion was "If it doesn't affect me, it doesn't truly matter what I think." Because of that, my views as a senior and for the first two years of college were simply an extension of those my parents held.
It is only within the past year that I have begun to form my own opinions on major issues and policies. For the sake of this post, it doesn't matter where I stand on these issues, it simply matters that I am forming convictions and becoming an informed citizen. (Shout out to Mr. Meade who always let his students know how important it is to stay informed!) Choosing a side creates convictions, and "strong convictions precede great actions." (James Freeman Clarke) Having any opinion is greater than having no opinion.
The purpose of this post is not to say choose a side and never change your views. Thais not helpful for anyone. My message is to keep yourself informed on the current events of the world and determine how you feel about them. Perhaps more facts are revealed, and that changes your opinion...that's okay! The key is to know what is happening within our country and across the world. A democracy is cannot be truly effective without the full participation of the people! Not only does that mean voting, but it also means knowing what your government is up to.
Being informed doesn't just happen, though. You cannot peruse Facebook for 15 minutes and call yourself informed. The media is constantly dropping tidbits of information for uninformed Americans to latch on to and accept as truth. News outlets, even those that claim to be unbiased, are owned by someone. Those owners have their own views and it most certainly affects the way in which stories are presented and reported upon.
While it is nearly impossible to find an unbiased media source, the best that can be done is to do a little research. Read multiple articles. View opposing sources. It takes time, but then, isn't being a patriot worth the time?
It is a privilege to live in a country where we are free to make choices. We are one of only 30 democratic nations in the world, and that is never something to be taken for granted. As the saying goes: "Freedom isn't free." There are countless men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom, the least we can do to repay them is to be active, informed citizens in our communities, in our states, and in our nation.
"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." -Adlai Stevenson
I hope you exercised your right to vote yesterday!
xoxo,
jkd
**Quick addendum: More people voted yesterday than voted in the gubernatorial election of 2010. Theoretically that means more people are concerned about the legalization of marijuana than the election of our state's leadership. Every election is important. Every issue matters.
