Four years ago, when the results of the 2016 presidential election were announced, some students walked out of my school in protest, and I saw firsthand how contentious and divisive politics can be. The experience made me hesitant to share my own political views. That’s why I think we should sideline sharing political opinions in class. It’s just too polarizing.
Talking about your opinions about the election in school can have negative consequences for students both in and out of the classroom. According to a 2019 survey by the Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access at UCLA, in-class discussion of controversial topics like politics can lead to hostile exchanges outside of class. It’s not hard to see how sharing an unpopular political stance might lead to a student being ostracized. Speaking up in class is tough enough for some students. Discussing political views could make the experience even more overwhelming.
Some people might argue that it’s important for students to keep abreast of current events. But honestly, young people are at no risk of being out of touch with politics. It’s almost impossible for us to avoid the political tensions that pop up on social media or in our own homes. For some of us, school is an escape from all the election talk.
I’m not suggesting schools avoid any mention of the election. I just think teachers should emphasize the facts—like who the candidates are and what issues are on the ballot— rather than students’ opinions. For instance, my teacher has had us annotate a news article about the action a candidate has taken on an issue. The assignment helped me research candidates and issues and sort through my own thoughts, away from everyone else’s opinions. Without the pressure of clashing with a classmate, I’m much more likely to be open-minded in my analysis.
Don’t get me wrong, I see the importance of political engagement. But school is not the only place students can be politically active. That’s why I volunteer for off-campus organizations that support causes I believe in. That way I get to have conversations about the election without worrying about whether my views will affect my friendships.