Ignorance is something I’ve noticed with a lot of people and it’s really made me question that belief that ignorance is bliss. Is it really?

Ignorance is defined as a lack of knowledge or information. Isn’t it better to know information, though? When I think of the current state of our nation, I know that I would much rather know what’s going on than not. The presidential election? The protests at the Dakota Access Pipeline? I like knowing. I like having the knowledge of what is happening.

During the entirety of the APSCUF strike, the prevalence of ignorance was strong across campus and social media. Many people didn’t know what was going on during the strike, even though all you had to do was look on social media or walk to the picket line. People would much rather be ignorant. We were out of the classroom for three days and all most people could think of was, “Should I go home? Are they going to send us home?” People asked questions, but they didn’t seek out the answers, even if the answers were easy to find. Ignorance was easier, so that’s what most everyone stuck with.

This year is a very important presidential election year. No one can deny that, well except for the people who don’t care what happens. They see Hillary and they see Trump and all they do is laugh at the debates and the actions of each candidate. They don’t care that one of them will be president in a very short amount of time. Trump’s funny to watch because ultimately he’s a joke…until he potentially has access to nuclear launch codes. Hillary is great, sometimes, but at the same time we have to consider is she a president we can ultimately trust? Those of us who have been keeping up with the election are informed about both candidates, but if you’re going in blind on November 8^th, who does that help? Ignorance in this election is terrifying, yet so many people are affected by it.

There is stuff happening across the country and across the world and I’m sure there are many people who could care less about what’s happening. You could mention Aleppo to someone or the Dakota Access Pipeline and there are sadly people out there who have no idea what you’re talking about. There is important stuff going on in the world and there are so many people who could care less.