10 Going On 11

What's it like to be 10 going on 11 years old with very political parents? Well, I can try to summarize it all in just one word, interesting.

Growing up with my parents teaching me about politics, and being willing to discuss major issues in the world made me feel important. That I too can contribute to this world and by them discussing politics with me at just 8 years of age made me feel respected, and unjudged because I was so young.

At first, politics is just a bunch of people fighting for some cause and me never really understanding why people would fight like this. But, when you hit 8 or 9 years old, you start to develop you own opinions. You no longer surrender to your parents' thoughts. You are willing to fight for what you believe in, and in the end learn a lot about the world. A lot of kids my age say when I bring up politics, "Why does it matter?" "We can't even vote yet so what's the point?" Well, the answer to those questions is that even if you are not yet 18 years old, you can still make a difference. For example, you can nag your older brothers and sisters if they are 18 or older, making sure that when every election comes, that they too cast a ballot. You can bring up major issues at school with your friends and let them know your opinion on what's really going on in the world.

All of these things are great, but there is a downside to being so political. I find myself judging people more often, just because their parents or family are Republicans. Because, in the end, we really are all equal even though sometimes it's hard to believe it.