High schools have changed a lot in the past five years, and ours is no exception.
The forces of political pressures, cultural changes and worldwide events drive schools to change their policies and approaches to certain cultural issues. In fact, many high schools have become centers for political discussion and discourse, alongside universities and other institutions.
According to a study conducted by Tufts Circle, youth voter turnout in the 2024 presidential election was up almost 10 percent since the 2016 election. High school education is a major influence on whether young adults decide to vote. The practice of political discussion and openness among the student body at a high school may seem beneficial for those trying to find their voice in modern-day politics. However, the reality at the high school is that liberal, left-leaning beliefs are overwhelmingly supported by students and even endorsed by the school administration.
As a consequence, students are pressured to conform within that ideological space, evidenced in the way students are expected to interact with culturally significant topics. For example, the Day of Racial Reform and Solidarity and Day of Dialogue are used to shape and control the student body’s views on very pertinent political topics.
At no point are actual conservative viewpoints discussed in an unbiased way. Instead, the school’s message is aligned with left-leaning views expressed in student speeches, activities and other programming planned throughout the day. This environment, however, is not limited to certain days; it pervades every class and discussion. The overwhelming response to an honest question is too often “because that’s what’s right.”
As political views in the country have become increasingly separated by an invisible divide, it’s becoming easier and easier to dismiss someone else’s comments as stupid or lacking in common sense, especially when you’ve been taught a differing opinion. And by all means, everyone should be able to have any opinion without being harassed for it, within reason. However, school environments that are openly partial to any one political side have an immensely negative impact on students, preventing them from having an opportunity to freely develop their opinions. This is, again, most evident in some of the high school’s “Days Of.”.
Most crucially, as students, the biggest influence on our worldview is our parents. It is easy to hide behind what our families or communities predominantly believe—but we also have the power to disagree. Or, at least, choose to be undecided until we have developed a sense of who we are as members of society.
The saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is an important mantra—and it’s ignored by many. Just recently, we saw how Charlie Kirk, a debater and right-wing commentator, was assassinated at a political event. Political acts of violence should be condemned by everyone, and yet the reaction from some high-profile, left-leaning lawmakers, news anchors and personalities was concerning, with claims that the assassination was warranted because of Kirk’s use of conservative talking points. Personally, I never agreed with everything Kirk said or the way he argued his points. However, when your political beliefs get in the way of your ability to have basic sympathy as a human, something has gone wrong.
Even though many might say that strong or provocative speech warrants decisive action to stop hate, I would counter with this simple truth: those who resort to violence to prove a point are almost always irrational in their beliefs. How could a person have the courage to kill a man but not look them in the eye and argue their point?
Maybe the answer is in the fact that some would rather do anything than be proven wrong.
We have seen the real-world implications of communities that stay silent when they need people to question the predominant narrative. At the high school, we have a bubble that everyone is expected to stay within. Yet you would be surprised who might agree with you if you speak up.
It would be foolish to argue that the future is dark for America when we are the future of this country. Our beliefs and actions have already influenced our local communities, and in a few short years will decide the fate of the nation through the midterm and presidential elections. We have the privilege of being in a country where argument is required and not suppressed. Our school should have a similar culture. I challenge you, reader, to seek out someone you vehemently disagree with and hear their argument. Challenge them to prove you wrong, just like Charlie Kirk did with thousands of young Americans. And if they prove you wrong? Be proud of your ability to change your mind. It’s the least you can do to be a patriotic citizen of the United States and the world.
