Generation Z and Politics

I recently graduated high school about two and a half years ago, and once I turned 18, I didn't even think about enrolling to vote—because why should I? Shouldn't I just save that for the baby boomers, the X generation, and pretty much anyone who is at least 10 to 20 years older than me?

The situation of politics always used to ponder on my mind. I'd watch the mainstream media news and see what political topics they were covering. I'd watch it and thought, "Yeah, they seem to know what they're talking about, I will agree to that." It was a constant thought process of mine, I would hear my parents talk about their preferred party for 10 minutes, and I would take it as the Holy Bible.

A few months before I turned 18, my brother—who was 21 at the time—showed me a YouTuber. He told me it was an Australian guy who touched on political issues in a way that would appeal to the younger generation. I had no interest in watching this guy, but after much persistence, I watched the video.

The YouTubers name was FriendlyJordies and the video I watched was called "Housing Affordability." FriendlyJordies touched on how the Australian Youth could possibly never be able to afford a house, or even afford a deposit for a house. Jordie's video wasn't just him sitting there spitting out the facts, he dressed up as what seemed like every British house show host. The video showed Jordie interviewing himself—well himself dressed up as a mid-20-year-old woman who basically lives off their parent's income. Throughout the whole video, I was in tears laughing at all his jokes, which are basically centered on generation Y and Z. His smart sense of humor made me so intrigued by the video. Later that night, I found myself binging his videos like a Netflix series all night.

Then after I turned 19, it had become a daily routine to read about political news and, of course, watching every FriendlyJordies video. I found myself emerging into more political debates. I am happy to say I am pro-Labor, but from 2017 to 2019, the Liberal Party has been in power.

I disagree with the Liberals' actions, their view on the environment, and how their number one priority is to have more money in their pockets and their developer's pocket. However, this is my opinion, and I respect all opinions no matter who they vote for.

It was one night we had the family over and we got into the debate of politics—yes, I know it's one of the topics people shouldn't talk about at the dinner table, but we didn't hold back. My parents and the old family members were talking about how great the Liberal Party was, and how they like some of One Nation's policies. I sat there, listening to what they had to say until I thought I should put my two cents in. I went on about how I don't agree with the way the Liberals or One Nation approach situations, and pretty much the shitty things they do and why I don't support them. I told them about why I support the Labor Party, and guess what response I got? "You're young Chloe, you're not old enough to know how the government works." I stayed quiet for the rest of the night and pondered... am I too young to have opinions about politics?

For days and days and days, I kept my mouth shut, and stopped reading about politics and doing research. What's the point? My opinions and views didn't matter anyway. This all changed when I was on a road trip with one of my best friends. I don't know how, but we got on the topic of politics; I know, a surprise. She told me she didn't know much about it, nor did she feels it affects her. She told me she hasn't even enrolled to vote and that she wasn't going to because she feels as though it won't affect her. Then serious mode took over from me. I went on for what seemed like an hour tangent about why it is so important to vote, no matter what your age is or what your views on politics are. It's important because it's your future and your taxpayer money. It sort of just came over me, "Hold on, yeah, my views do matter, my vote does matter, and my opinions do matter because it's my life. I am an adult, it's my tax money. The older generation shouldn't tell me who to vote for."

It was a wave of happiness really. My friend was so impressed on how well I know politics at such a young age. It inspired her to enroll, to do more research, and to listen to herself and not anyone else.

I was reborn again as an advocate for people my age. I started posting and sharing videos on FriendlyJordies, posting my opinions on why politics are so important to everyone. The majority of people I have spoken to usually answer the same way, "I am just going to vote on what my parents tell me to." I believe that shouldn't be the case anymore. Gen Z is next. If we keep voting on what our parents tell us to, without doing our own research, then our future won't change, it will stay the same. We will keep living in a country that is the shadow of our seniors. We need to wipe that shadow away and create our own, for our future. Then let the next generation decide, shape a country for them, and then they can shape a country for themselves. This article isn't about who you should vote for, it's about how you vote and why you vote.