In light of the upcoming presidential election, it’s clear that ongoing attempts to stabilize the nation’s economic dilapidation and diligent efforts to resolve social conflicts have great implications, especially to the emerging generation of young adults.
Addressing these critical issues will may change the national culture.
A lot is invested in the upcoming election — but, frankly, it just does not feel that way.
As I am in the early stages of adulthood, I feel an increasing responsibility to be cognizant of ongoing political activity at the local, state and national levels.
Even as a child, not quite able to fully conceptualize the magnitude of the occasion, I found presidential elections fascinating.
I’ve witnessed the run of three iconic presidential figures: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Of the latter two, it’s easy to remember their campaigns. The build-up between Bush and John Kerry was the first to really grab my interest. At this time, there was a new appeal to young American voters, which culminated into a variety of movements.
MTV, for instance, was a platform for the “Vote or Die” extravaganza in 2004, which used influence from the entertainment industry to bring voters to the polls.
Celebrities wanted young adults to take the election seriously and understand their future depended on the decisions made.
Using entertainment to promote awareness at this time was justifiable because entertainment itself was not the focus. It was a means to an end.
Fast-forward to the 2016 election trail. Things have shifted.
Whenever asked if I’ll be viewing upcoming political debates, I notice interest is not in the nature of constructive argument.
It’s more about seeing which candidate is going to make a tongue-in-cheek remark that will inevitably be bludgeoned mercilessly at length by political analysts. This becomes the new hot topic, while true political matters of importance are neglected.
Even television coverage of the candidacy race on major news networks has undergone some transfigurations. It’s now reminiscent of media treatment of the Olympic Games, with the consistently developing storylines for candidates beneath the spotlight. It attracts attention and keeps viewers engaged while leading up to the big feature event. But it’s really not productive, especially to the more significant matter at hand: determining who we trust to govern over the nation in the best interests of its people.
Now that I am old enough to participate in the process, I can’t help but feel slighted. Contemporary news coverage seems to merely serve as comprehensible white noise.
Maybe the increased popularity of social media has changed the landscape and heightened the appeal for entertainment as a means of engagement.
Nonetheless, politics just aren’t the same.
I wish we could revert the focus to reflect a simpler time where the juxtaposition of candidates’ policies and proposed strategies took center stage.
Voters need real information with substance and true relevance. We deserve it.
