The Dirty Word "Politics"

At the end of 1998, the end of high school, I really didn't know what the hell was out there for me. I quickly got myself into a "safe" uni course where there would be heaps of jobs (and then there wasn't). Back then I would have laughed incessantly at anyone who would've predicted my future interest in politics and society. Why? Basically I dislike politicians and think a lot of them are corrupt liars when they get to the top. What's new! But a couple of years passed and I just began seeing so much crap going on in this planet... I wish this awakening happened earlier, but maybe I was a little too sheltered from it all. Without even thinking of myself as political, I recently (2 years?) began this reading storm into current affairs and history. In a way it seems to be my search for some kind of truth, a way I can educate myself into being a little less naive and realistic. Yet what fuels me to keep on doing this research is this desire. Romantically naive? Maybe. I can explain it as a strong urge to learn and form ideas on the road to a positive alternative. There's no doubt for me it's a thing of the heart... I do best at things that stir a passion in me. And since starting to write music this "awareness" that's burning in me seems to be the next passion. So now I'm just seeing what's out there, getting my thoughts together about certain issues and creating a foundation for something. I wish I knew what that is... again, I would've never thought I would get this excited or interested in something. "Something". Actually it's just so many things bundled up and [con]fused together that it requires an awakening and piqued awareness.

We have all heard people swear at politics and politicians and the state of the world. What upsets me is the label associated with these issues... often it's all "politics". It's become this dirty word. I'm not one to fret about labels or get riled up about them. This just hits me... I feel that so many people get turned off from doing something about the state of affairs we're in because of that word. "Politics" often brings out a sour cringe followed by a string of perfectly placed swear words. One likely reason for this is the association of "those dirty thieving pollies" with the dirty word. Which is quite discouraging. As I mentioned earlier, I never came to the decision of becoming "political". My increasing awareness has triggered this interest to learn more and make my own contribution to making this a better place. A lot of people now in politics (and other who deal in social issues and world affairs) are the same. They never followed the word; the word seems to have followed them.

Why do I write about this? Who cares? A lot of people out there that hope to encourage others care. It’s a barrier. And often it’s an ignorant one. So if we take the positive statements (mentioned previously) regarding awareness and a better world for all then we can form an alternative definition. This second definition is a must if we accept that any measures to improve our society will be accompanied by vital political action. How can we now take the second definition’s purpose as being anything but positive? It is now clean, free from the dirty word “politics”! Or is it…
Recently I have been alerted to a general ignorance and it seems to me most apparent among middle-class sheltered youth (of which I once was a member haha). This isn’t surprising at all but it warrants discussion and a nod of acknowledgment if we are to do anything about it. For those like me who like to put a certain amount of faith in our new generation, it is discouraging and sometimes utterly frustrating to see the same old definitions ignorantly applied to people striving to find the truth. “You’re too political!”, they cry. Too political compared to being in ones comfort zone in a middle class neighbourhood not giving two hoots about what’s going on in the world around you. Fine by me, I’m too political!
And this is what I try to understand… is it a fear of the truth? Is it a fear of being jolted into reality and being scared of the consequences of an awakened consciousness? Will this awakening place a burden on you to strive for the truth and positive change? Make no mistake; it is a burden of massive proportions. But it is one that is your responsibility, one that is glazed in honour. If we are submissive to our leaders and give up our rights to the truth we give up everything. It is an image of a world not out of place in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.

It’s hard to accept there are people who would rather not enquire and research into the world around them and how it operates. We need to learn from history and make the future something bright for our coming generations. We need to bring back the honour of caring about this planet and each other, the honour of striving to make a difference. Take it out of the romantic ideals bin and make it relevant and real. Make it a goal. Educate yourself and each other to prevent the mistakes that are being made in our name. Everything that happens on this planet affects you in some way, sooner or later. There comes a time when survival is on the agenda and we must deal with it. We are living in this time right now.

And it’s about time for being too political ;-)




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