In a country that seems to become more and more divided as each election passes, the role of politics in the classroom has become increasingly difficult to define. The fear of an angry email from a parent at home prevents teachers from engaging the class in educational political dialogue. We at The Tower believe that politics should not be a verbal taboo at school, and participating in an open discussion about diverse points of view has the power to lessen the political divide within our community.
If students only hear their parents’ opinions and consume their parents’ media, they don’t absorb diverse perspectives and it is impossible for them to have a well-rounded and well-informed opinion on politics. Many family environments tend to pressure young people into a tunnel-visioned outlook on current issues because they have force-fed the same points of view over and over again. We at The Tower believe that this dynamic is unhealthy and that political discussion in classrooms is essential for the development of a well-informed student and American citizen.
A common misconception about debate is that it is always an attack on the opposing viewpoint, done out of malice. However, healthy debates can allow people to find common ground and in turn, determine the best solutions to the very issues that divide us. We at The Tower believe that debate is crucial to moving forward as a community and a country. Historically, political discussions and debates have shaped and allowed for the implementation of effective policy. For example, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which implemented school safety programs and common sense gun laws, came about through debate between the two parties in Congress. Our discussions may not be as large scale, but we at The Tower believe that implementing political discussion in the classroom can encourage this type of healthy debate and help find more impactful solutions for the future.
A common concern when it comes to political discussion in school is that it inevitably will start conflict, leading to students feeling uncomfortable or even offended. However, if politics and current events are discussed in the classroom respectfully and healthily, we can mitigate the potential for conflict or division. We at The Tower propose that political discussion in the classroom should always be accompanied by a teacher capable of maintaining a safe educational environment for their students.
As the United States’ next generation of voters, it is essential that we educate ourselves on politics as soon as possible, and we cannot do that without the ability to listen to people with opinions different than our own. Gen-Z is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation thus far according to research done by the Pew Research Group. Our greater diversity is all the more reason it is crucial that we are empathetic with each other. We need to be able to connect with people who have had different experiences than our own in order to shape a well-rounded viewpoint on politics.
In order to pioneer the next generation of critical thinkers and voters, healthy political discussion needs to start now in an environment that is safe and welcoming to all points of view. No student should feel outcasted at school simply because they have an opinion different from their peers. We at The Tower believe that we as students should be curious and respectful towards different perspectives rather than fearful and that schools must nurture this curiosity rather than deny it. After all, how long can we honestly believe that we are solving problems by refusing their discussion? We need to stop being afraid of disagreement and be open to discussing our differences. Open political discussion, starting in the high school classroom allows us to brainstorm solutions to important issues early on rather than putting them off for the future.
