Speak up, and Speak Out

WHY POLITICAL CONVERSATIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM

Last year, the uptick in political conversation was overwhelming for some, but others were eager to share their voices. With this dramatic increase in politics, concerns were raised about whether students are able to have these exchanges without forming boundaries. Talking about politics in school doesn’t just increase our awareness of other people’s opinions, it has us thinking about where we stand on our own beliefs, and that’s something we should encourage. Speaking up about politics can put stress on relationships, but it can also challenge people’s thinking and broaden their horizons. Expanding your worldview and ability to think past your own opinion is extremely important; and exactly why we need to have discussions about politics. Those tough conversations are why we have to be careful when making our opinions public, because it can seem like targeting, or can just hurt the feelings of other students when opinions don’t match up. Pursuing politics outside of the classroom is a great idea. We are about to have the option to make changes in our world today. We have the opportunity to become voters, and we need to decide where we stand. That being said, we need to figure out where sensitive areas are and what we can do to make sure people don’t feel ostracized for their beliefs during our political conversations. This doesn’t just go for teens, even adults can get aggressive during an argument about politics, and that’s what we need to avoid. Our generation is capable of incredible things, but we can’t make changes without working together. Around the world there are stories of teens our age making

a lasting impact, like climate change activist Greta Thunberg. She didn’t accomplished world wide support by keeping her thoughts silent. Collaboration can be a OPIINON OF THE powerful tool, but we can’t make a difference without sharing and revising our opinions. As students we spend

WHIRLWIND the majority of our time at school, so it makes sense for EDITORIAL BOARD us to use it as a place to share and learn from one other. Every student has their share of insecurities and differences, and this kind of productive discourse at school can be the first step to normalizing important issues and creating a more welcoming environment.

Marty Johnston

Social Studies Teacher

I THINK ANYTIME WE TALK ABOUT THE CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND THE CONTREVERSIAL ISSUES ITS IMPORTANT TO OPEN THEM UP AS LONG AS

Jodi Howell

Social Studies Teacher

I THINK IT’S EMBEDDED INTO THE AMERICAN IDENTITY IN SOME WAYS. THAT IDEA OF SPEAKING UP, OF RIGHT TO OUR OPINION, OF INDIVIDUAL THOUGHTS, ALL OF THOSE PRINCIPLES THAT OUR COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON 10

Olivia Manske

Senior, Site counsel Rep.

IF WE GOT OUR STUFF TOGETHER AND CONSOLIDATED, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND CHANGE A LOT MORE THAN WE DO

A recent survey of the student body showed that the majority of student believe that we as teenagers are both impacted by and can have an impact on politics. 73.6% of students agreed that political decisions affect us, and 71.4% said that they believed peope our age can make a difference in our politics, government, and our world.

Do you think that people our age can make a difference?

No 28.6%

Yes 71.4%

Politics can be a heated topic, but it also allows for unique struggles to come to light and for more widespread acceptance. For example, the BLM movement was a huge controversy, but through world wide broadcasting it has gained support across the globe. Even just increased awareness of these issues can help people feel seen and can help us achieve a school that better reflects us, the students. Increasing discussion topics like sexuality and mental health has already helped to destigmatize both issues. If we continue to have conversations about those and other issues, then more voices will be brought to light as people contribute their own experiences once they feel it’s safe to do so. That being said, curiosity can quickly turn to anger, and constructive conversations to heated arguments. One of the main concerns about discussing politics in school is that it will turn students against one another, and, rather than helping to build a positive environment where people are free to express themselves and live their truths, it would make school a negative place where people feel attacked for their beliefs. The reality is that, like so many other things, there isn’t a perfect answer. But ultimately, having these conversations helps us band together for change and furthers our understanding of the world more than it tears us apart. As long as we work together by continuing these conversations and respecting each other’s opinions and viewpoints throughout these monumental times, we can grow as people and be the catalysts to a new, brighter future. It’s a sad reality that political divides in this country drive people apart, and the same thing can happen between students at school. However, any political conversation is the first step to opening one’s eyes to others’ opinions, viewpoints, and experiences. Without exposing ourselves to new ideas via these discussions, we’ll never expand our horizons and form a complete view of the world. So speak up, speak out, and keep your voices strong.

WE MAY BE JUST TEENAGERS, BUT ALREADY ACTIVISTS OUR AGE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AROUND THE WORLD.

Greta Thunberg, 17, first proposed the idea of school strikes to raise awareness and put pressure on politicians to take action to save the planet. Now the movement, called Fridays For Future, has spread across the globe. According to their website, this campaign has resulted in thousands of people around the world gathering in support. Now students our age and younger leave school each Friday to speak out in defense of our planet.

After surviving a devastating school shooting in Parkland, Florida, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School worked together to found the #NeverAgain movement. They use social media to advocate for gun control policies to end school shootings. According to the #NeverAgain website, these high schoolers have organized walkouts, marches, and memorials to spread awareness and fight for change.

Desmond Napoles is only 11 years old, and yet they have already become a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. On their website they talk about performing in drag, modeling, speaking out, and just generally being their amazing self. Desmond has created multiple support networks for LGBTQ+ kids and their families, and is also the author of several books about LGBTQ+ history.