My First Political Article: The Importance of Political Discourse

I’ve been in the Opinions Department for almost three years, and yet I’ve never written a strictly-political article. Why?

Recently, I realized that most of my opinion pieces are very personal. I tend to stick to subjects where I can speak directly for myself—it feels safe to write reflectively and to take comfort in the mindset that interpretations may be contested but experiences are real and irrefutable. This is not to say that personal writing cannot be a contentious subject—it can certainly take on many forms, including political ones—but my personal pieces tend to contain a widely accepted consensus. Although it is almost embarrassing to admit this, I have fallen victim to voicing opinions that are hard to disagree with, and this means that I generally trend towards stories that are removed from the realm of politics.

The realization that I had never written a political article struck me, because I have opinions on politics. I stay up to date on current events, follow elections, and educate myself on political debates. So, my subconscious disinclination to write political articles does not stem from lack of interest nor ignorance—it stems from nerves. I am nervous to write a political article for the same reason that people are hesitant to enter political discussions—fear of a critical or hostile response. 

For many people, politics has become a taboo topic. In 2022, Pew Research Center analyzed the current political climate and determined that ideological differences between the United States’s two main political parties—the Democratic Party and the Republican Party—were the furthest apart they had been for the past 50 years, the implications of which remain relevant in 2025. Partisan polarization has become a defining feature of United States politics, dividing the nation with little overlap or tolerance. The hardening of these parties has led to the creation of a hostile political environment that leads many to retreat from political conversations without considering the benefits and essentiality of fostering diverse discussions that offer multiple political perspectives.

There are two problems here: a reluctance to start the conversation and an unwillingness to engage in constructive dialogue. The culprit behind my unconscious avoidance of using writing as a political medium is the former. I’m nervous that, despite the news I read and the research I do, I am not educated enough on politics to defend my view. Even though engagement is the only way for me to broaden my outlook and learn more, I fear having the “wrong” perspective—a thought that feels very real but is completely irrational. I am scared of facing disagreement and antagonism—even though I know that interaction is essential for the development of my political perspective. This “nervous” mindset around politics is not only counterproductive to one’s personal growth, but it perpetuates a cycle of stagnant disunity and isolation among differing political circles. Instead of avoidance, it is important to encourage open discourse around politics and to expand the discussion to include as many perspectives as possible.

Once the conversation begins, it is important to maintain a diverse and welcoming environment for sustained political participation. Political polarization has allowed political discussions to become completely contrived and to fall into the territory of attack-and-defend. In order to prevent this, it is imperative that participants take an open-minded approach. Effective discussion happens when people focus on broadening their outlook and adding depth to their perspective through recognizing the arguments of others, not immediately dismissing them as different from their own and thus wrong. During a political conversation, it is easy to see not a person but a party—a mistake that immediately distances the participants and stilts discussion. Instead, remember that political parties are fundamentally made up of people, and every political view is a human view. To constructively engage in political discussion requires empathy—the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a moment and try to understand where they are coming from. The goal is not necessarily to agree but rather to listen and come out of the conversation knowing just a little bit more. 

To start and have a civil political conversation may sound trivial to some, but to me it is extremely valuable, especially at a time such as now. Even the conversations that lie on the edge of politics—that only scratch at the controversies—have the potential to unite people a little more and to push for a future that actually upholds the values of freedom and democracy that the United States prides itself on. Maybe it sounds trivial, but I think starting these conversations is actually crucial for lessening the harsh political divide that currently exists in this country and for creating a productive political environment—crucial for fostering increased political engagement and participation. Facilitating conversations is not a passive endeavor, and I know I will certainly have to overcome a few hurdles before I am satisfied with my contributions. This article is my first step.