Why Should You Care?

Eric Duma, XII A

 Dear Reader,

Through our articles, we have tried to present the most relevant social and political events, from subjects like illegal poaching to the conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine. Our philosophy has always been that a well-rounded individual must be aware of what is happening around them, of their rights and responsibilities, and how they can make our decision-makers accountable. Therefore, as our graduation draws near, we will offer our view on why and how you should care about the things which “have no effect on you”.

Unlike our parents, we have always been accustomed to democratic practices such as voting. Happening every 4-5 years, politicians run to represent citizens at the local, national, and European levels. However, not knowing any reality without such practices, one could take voting for granted. Excuses are thrown around (every politician is the same, I am not represented, nothing is going to change, etc.) for not making use of their right to vote, so much so that only 25% of young eligible voters chose their representatives in 2020.

Consequently, the legislature is going to be made up of lawmakers who only represent 25% of young people and the overall 30% of individuals. Having such a political situation leads to two negative tendencies. Firstly, the elected bodies tend to hold less legitimacy in the eyes of the population, making it hard to reach a consensus at a local/national level for some policies. Secondly, the bills in question will only target a fraction of the population, thus encouraging the cycle of not feeling represented-being disappointed-not voting.

Moreover, whether we get involved or not, some policies will inevitably affect us or the people around us. Education, pensions, and the rising cost of living have always been “hot topics” in politics for a reason: it concerns everyone. Therefore, why not have a say in what happens to your community? Why not have a say in how your future is being handled?

I too used to be oblivious to what was happening around me. Up until the end of 10th grade I could not care less about social and political aspects. I liked debating them at competitions for the sake of debating, but not for some passion. I resonate now with Sylvia Plath’s words: “To the person in the bell jar, blank and stopped as a dead baby, the world itself is a bad dream.” The world is indeed a bad dream, but it was better for me to shatter the bell jar and wake up to the harsh reality before it was too late.

Now that we have cleared these aspects, another piece of advice is to read, read, and read. Why should you care about local news? Information is key, and the world is practically a never-ending TV show. We are probably on season 130, episode 6. Read about the history of your continent, country, and city. Look up the news archives from years and even decades ago. The smallest details can help you understand the present better and assist you in deciding your political leanings.

The most fascinating books that a high school student can read are George Orwell’s “1984” and “Animal Farm”. They have gained massive acclaim for a reason. Other books that my classmates and I recommend are Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”, Joseph Heller’s “Catch 22” and Yuval Noah Harari’s  "Sapiens", "Homo Deus" and "21 Lessons For The 21st Century".

Of course, if books are not your thing, you could watch Recorder’s “30 Years of Democracy”, a documentary about the aftermath of Romania’s 1989 Revolution. Another cherished way of acquiring knowledge is through podcasts. There are many educational podcasts on Spotify! My favourite one is “EU Confidential” which assesses events  happening in the European Union.

However, after you have learned many things, do not care too much as politics is a war of broken promises and commitments. Messiahs will come and promise to modernise the country and bring about significant change. Thousands of people will look at the figure with starry eyes and put their trust in that person, only to be disappointed. Look up the history of the political parties and politicians. Research their mistakes and the things they have done for the community. What can they actually do for you? Can Romania’s president make highways? (No, he or she cannot). Put your trust in a person and be attentive during their term. Are they worthy of your vote again? Yes? Then vote! No? Next person!

For instance, Arad’s 2024 local elections have a plethora of interesting figures. One man is proud of his (non)achievements, and another is building his campaign off of others' shortcomings. Other people come from dubious backgrounds. “I am elated to see that the local elections are full of people who have failed my class,” says a teacher. I.L. Caragiale’s characters come back to life every 4-5 years. Use your knowledge and critical thinking abilities to differentiate between commitments and false promises.

To conclude with, information has never been this prevalent. Make use of it! Our ancestors would have never imagined the lives we are living right now. But our well-being must be protected, and this can only be achieved by caring, being involved, and staying informed. Good luck with your daily endeavours, but remember to get your head out of the clouds and slowly descend back to the ground. The highest altitudes bring about the nastiest falls.

Yours sincerely,

Eric Duma