One of my major pet peeves is people who brag about being willfully ignorant about politics. The people who proudly proclaim, “I don’t care, and I’m uninformed, tee hee!” Like it’s something we should pat them on the back for; as if they’re sticking it to the man by not caring. It quite honestly disgusts me. I know that’s unfair — some people have their reasons. Politics are corrupt, and the system sucks, but ignoring it isn’t going to make it better. In fact, it’s going to make it worse.
The country is in the state it is now because most people are apathetic. A lot of the anti-gay/trans legislation being passed right now could have been avoided if there had been a larger turnout of youth/Democrat voters in the governor and senate elections, but there wasn’t because most people didn’t think they were important. People didn’t care, and now hate laws are being passed.
To me, hearing someone say they don’t care about politics is hearing them say, “I’m privileged enough that it doesn’t affect me either way.” And nine times out of 10 these people who revel in their ignorance are the same ones looking at bills like the one that just passed in North Carolina, and going “How could this pass?” It’s because of people like you — people who don’t care or don't think it’s important. There’s an old saying that goes, “If you don’t vote, then you can’t complain,” and I believe it holds true. If you don’t do anything to combat the problem, then you can’t throw a fit about it.
It’s like that scene in “The Devil Wears Prada” where Andy laughs at the fashion magazine people trying to decide between two cerulean belts. Miranda isn’t having any of that and hits Andy with that armor-piercing question: “You think this doesn’t affect you?” When people say they don’t care about politics, they’re saying that they think it doesn’t affect them. They’re saying they are above the political rat race — that any future laws or legislation can’t touch them. It’s selfish — it’s admitting that you don’t want things to get better for you or anyone less fortunate. It’s a giant middle finger to any causes that need support.
I’ve noticed it’s typically the youth/Democrat voters that are like this too — and that’s what the Republicans are counting on. That’s why the older generation doesn’t take us seriously and publishes one useless think piece after another about the apathy of millennials or the fickleness of Democrats. Yes, the system is flawed and yes, politics are a mess, but you are not fixing anything by proudly stating, “I don’t care about politics!” Like you’re denouncing the newest popular trend. You’re only hurting yourself and your future. If we don’t show at the polls, they win in a landslide. When people don’t care, it paves the way for tyrants like Trump to step forward. You have to fight back, and not caring isn’t fighting — it’s giving up.
