“I don’t do politics” is a phrase we have all heard at some point in our lives, or perhaps, even said ourselves. It is often combined with a shrug or a chuckle in an attempt to change the topic of a conversation or shift attention away from the political taboo. At first glance, it seems like a statement of personal preference, similar to the way that someone might say they don’t enjoy dancing, drawing or sports. Unfortunately, politics are not something you can opt out of without repercussions. In today’s atmosphere, “not being into politics” is a sign of somebody accepting the world they are in, surrendering their voice and agreeing with decisions that are made in their absence. Currently, policies shape the way we live, so subscribing to apathy is not holding a neutral stance—it’s holding a useless one.

Superficially, politics may seem like shouting matches between candidates who make empty promises on national television. However, it is meant to be an outlet by which a larger group of people choose to organize their lives. Policymaking affects the workplace, school funding, accessibility to healthcare, safety of neighborhoods and the right to navigate our futures. It is impossible to be unaffected by these decisions because everything from the roads you drive on, the tax deductions from your paycheck and the price of your medication is dictated by the people elected to represent us.

Most likely, what someone means when they say they are “not into politics” is that they feel politics are messy, unpredictable and too far from their control. This is completely understandable and even somewhat true. Several political systems are polluted by immense corruption and polarization. Where such dysfunction is prevalent, people may feel powerless because their existence may not change the state of things. However, being apathetic towards current issues does little to solve them. Just as running from problems is not very helpful and avoiding them altogether can make them worse. As less people pay attention, there are fewer voices left to call for accountability, and the people who end up making decisions are those with extreme money or power. Silence invites power-hungry manipulators to the game which, in this case, is our nation’s government. A common argument is that individual participation does not really matter because it won’t change a vote. This has been proven wrong time and time again by history, especially during the civil rights movement and the struggle for women’s suffrage. Even though bringing about change all at once is difficult, it is even harder to do without action.

This mindset makes politics seem like an external force instead of a collective movement. By definition, a democracy is based on participation, and if enough people start to embody the idea that it is useless, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Being politically engaged does not mean that someone must run for office or involve themselves in heavy dinner debates on issues daily. Instead, it consists of voting, reading the news critically, joining community organizations, advocating for participation and even having thoughtful discussions with friends. Although small forms of engagement, these acts create a culture where participation is encouraged and ensures that policies start to reflect more voices. Politics continue whether people choose to participate or not. If you choose not to engage then you are handing over your power. And while it may not seem a big deal to you, stepping aside hand-delivers your ability to enact change to other undependable constituents. This can harm people who do not have the luxury of doing nothing.

Politics are not a hobby that people are supposed to enjoy. They are about community effort, advocating for yourself and others and recognizing the impact in our daily lives. Politics shape us. They’re the seat belt you put on before starting the car, the high school experience you received from your teachers, the grocery bill at the register. Choosing to have a stance is not about being the perfect activist, but about being heard in the decisions that will govern our nation. Pretending you have nothing at stake is not a position of strength, but the abandonment of responsibility.