The most recent example of ignorance amongst media-consuming Americans has revolved around the 43-day long government shutdown. Failing to take into account the actual harm done to millions of Americans, partisan rhetoric has supported those who have continued the shutdown and has disparaged those who have acted against it.
For example, the media called for Democrat Tim Kaine’s resignation shortly after voting with Republicans to end the shutdown. Several commenters called for his resignation, touched on his lack of loyalty to the Democratic Party, or simply made the claim that he “gave into fascism” after months of failed attempts by Democrats to fight the current administration’s actions and effort to cut medical care provisions and spending. What they fail to understand is that this same shutdown notably prohibited 850,000 Virginians from getting SNAP benefits on November 1, forced delays or cancellations in a majority of Virginia’s airports, and furloughed an estimated 38,100 federal workers living in Virginia.
Like any teenager, I’ve enjoyed scrolling through my favorite social media sites, especially to follow the complex world of politics. But what used to entertain me for hours on end now leaves me hateful and frustrated. Instead of being able to enjoy social media, I’ve grown to resent the ignorance it has instilled in Americans.
As a true legislator, Kaine worked for the people. Rather than letting his constituents work without pay or live without the very benefits they need to survive, he did something about it—something that all Americans, regardless of party affiliation, have wanted since the beginning of the shutdown.
Similarly, several X users spread rumors, for the purpose of showcasing users’ ignorance, about New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, claiming that he will be requiring public schools to teach Arabic numerals. However, the provocative statement is pointless: we always have and always will teach the same system of numbers that Arab scholars spread centuries ago. We recognize them as the numbers one, two, three, and so forth.
Comments and behaviors such as those online only display the growing ignorance plaguing the American public.
While there is no way to tell when ignorance began to be such a problem amongst the public, weaponized incompetence in elected officials could certainly have been a model. The earliest trend of ignorance began in the 1970s with the Republican Party using it as a political tool to spread misinformation towards the other side. This trend was then exacerbated in the 2016 election by both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, taking to social media to say petty and provocative things about each other’s character and policy.
Even in Congress, elected officials shift blame onto the other party, further separating the two parties in an already extremely divided country. They may even exploit procedures, like forcing a rereading of a long bill. In many cases, and in many of the clips seen online, legislators seem unprepared, making unreasonable arguments that prohibit any real legislation from happening.
Simply put, it’s bad politics. It’s embarrassing. How can one call themselves a politician if they cannot care enough to educate or compose themselves in a professional manner? How should we as the public be able to trust them?
Other times Americans will selectively choose which facts and which media outlets they get their information from. Confirming your own biases and dismissing others only exhibits your own ignorance.
While we cannot control others, we can control our reactions and the way we handle provocative media.
If you see a headline and it catches your attention, the news outlet did their job. They are trying to evoke emotion. Look for other media outlets, ideally ones on either side of the political spectrum, to search for an objective truth. Especially if you feel anger towards a topic that you do not know much about, it’s important to take the time and research it.
Then, especially after taking the time to cool off and educate yourself, make an informed, researched comment.
