I don't know much about politics, and I don't think I'm alone

Politics was not a major topic of discussion in my household while growing up, and most history lessons about the government never really stuck with me. 

Navigating politics throughout my teens and early twenties has been difficult because I have not always made an effort to further educate myself on the subject. 

I primarily consume entertainment media rather than news media, which prompts me to feel embarrassed when a conversation topic turns to new legislation or controversies involving members of Congress. 

However, I notice that as I enter different environments at UAA and create new relationships in my personal life, politics is becoming harder to avoid. 

I barely know which political candidates are running for office outside of the ads that pop up before the YouTube videos I watch. 

In a study conducted by Attest, researchers found that 81% of Generation Z’s media consumption is through video streaming, while only 6% purchase news subscriptions. This study demonstrates the shift of traditional news declining while entertainment media rises with Gen Z viewers.

Beginning a new position as a columnist at The Northern Light, UAA’s student-run newspaper, was nerve-wracking. To hear that my first article will be published in the upcoming election edition on Oct. 26, where some stories will be centered around the election and politics was frightening. However, I see this challenge as an opportunity to be honest and create a space where someone else may resonate with my experiences. 

As an English major, these topics are new to me, while to everyone else, talking about news media is just another Tuesday. 

As a new journalism minor, I have entered an area of study where politics is often a central topic of discussion. Contributing to conversations about political figures and their morals has felt daunting, especially when I struggle to remember the core principles of journalism such as the First Amendment. 

Although, I’m not alone. According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, only 7% of Americans can name all five First Amendment rights. 

Now that we are midway through the semester, these discussions have become less terrifying and easier to manage. I have come to realize that, as nervous as I am to speak up in class, the people around me feel the same.

Some of my friends can relate to growing up in households where politics were rarely discussed. Although they were aware of specific policies and political issues, they admitted that their knowledge did not feel adequate.

For many, politics may be a dinner table discussion, and they can use those experiences to stay informed on local and national political issues as they age. 

A 2018 study conducted by Pew Research Center researched whether or not families felt comfortable discussing politics with each other. According to the study, 65% of those who share political affiliations with other family members reported their family is okay with discussing politics. 

These statistics show another dynamic of sharing political affiliations with family, one that demonstrates that even though there is discourse, there may be disagreements.

Everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to politics, and it’s okay to lack knowledge about something that may appear second nature for others. 

However, it’s just as important to educate yourself on politics as it is to acknowledge what you don’t already know.