I spend far too much time on Instagram reels. It’s true – though I wish it wasn’t. And while I’ve now cut myself off from the addictive political whirlpool run by an ‘unbiased algorithm’, it is truly hard to escape from politics online. Even true before-bedtime brainrot now is vaguely political.
I would wager that the same rings true for many students here at Otago. Your knowledge of political change is highly rooted in our online presence. While it is overwhelming, hard to hear and sometimes just plain exhausting, we as students should not let the black hole of online politics swallow us whole. There are endless topics that students care about, but we tend to get lost in the highly polarised, overly woke, overly racist and misinformed takes that draw in clicks and algorithmic prioritisation.
The time I’m spending holed up in the Exec bullpen, tied up in bureaucracy, has had me wondering where our power as students really rests, especially in such an extreme and globalised political landscape. I’ve come to realise that politics is not just Wellington suits far away, nor is it half minute clips to scroll through and double tap. Politics is and always will be what we choose it to be, what we demand from the powerful and how we look after our communities.
Fuel prices making getting to work or classes difficult? Make noise about it. Unpaid placement meaning that bills are even harder to meet? Yell from the rooftops. Landlord fucked you over and don’t know what to do? Pop into OUSA and we can help you make a fuss. If I can make any of this easier as your OUSA rep – please hit me up! Think freely, and act accordingly – or forever wish you had.
P.S Enrol to Vote!
