The results of the 2024 Presidential Election have left us experiencing a very unstable and unpredictable political climate within the United States. Many changes are soon to happen within the country, and this has left many people—especially minority groups—with feelings of uncertainty and fear. As a nation, we are currently more divided than ever before, with this election proving that the United States still has a long way to go in terms of progressivism.
The results of this election have also shown a massive increase in people outwardly expressing their political and social stances on certain issues, which has definitely caused some backlash. Openly expressing opinions on social media has raised the question of whether or not people in the limelight should be outwardly expressing their political beliefs. Do artists with larger audiences have a duty to inform their audiences of what is right or wrong? Or should they keep quiet and keep their opinions to themselves? This is what many people are debating about today.
On one hand, it is perfectly reasonable for artists to want to keep their beliefs to themselves; they are allowed the privacy that any other person has. But on the other hand, if you have a large group of people who look up to you and will really take what you say into account, it is extremely important to use your platform as a tool to educate others. But alas, this is a double-edged sword. With many differing opinions, I decided to get an artist’s opinion on the matter.
Kyle (they/them) from the band Vs Self has been very vocal and open about their stances across their social media. They constantly try to inform and educate the people who follow them about the situations currently impacting people in the world. Their band, Vs Self, has even participated in shows where there has been clear advocacy for certain issues, an example being for the “Free Palestine” movement.
Illustration Courtesy of Celeste Mendez
Do you feel like artists have a responsibility to express their political beliefs to the public?
Kyle: I think generally no, artists don’t have a responsibility to express political beliefs. I do however think that in today’s climate it is important for anyone, especially someone who has any sort of influence, to stand with people who are suffering the most and who are being so grossly misrepresented by the media.
Do you feel as if social media is a good platform for artists to educate and inform fans of issues going on in the world?
Kyle: I do think social media is a good platform for artists to spread awareness to issues that are important to them. Sometimes even just visibility can go a long way. I know for me personally seeing other artists I looked up to come out as non-binary made me feel less alone. I personally don’t think a person’s identity or sexuality should be considered political in any way, but most people disagree with that unfortunately.
Why is it important to educate younger people of current social issues?
Kyle: This probably sounds cliche, but younger people are literally the future. They will inherit a very unstable and hate filled world. It’s probably best they at least know what they’re in for. They also have the most at stake as far as how the actions of humanity as a whole affect the earth and relationships between different countries. Hopefully that will be enough motivation to strive to make some change for the better.
Have politics or any social movements ever influenced your music?
Kyle: I think it’s not really possible to be shaped by anything in as major a way as social movements and politics have shaped pretty much everyone without them influencing the art those people create. I can’t think of any direct way social movements have influenced my music, but I’ve written many songs about political topics.
Have you ever gotten any backlash for expressing concern about certain issues?
Kyle: I’ve definitely gotten backlash. Most notably is for standing with Palestine. Some people are so deeply indoctrinated by Zionist propaganda that they can’t see the genocide happening right before our eyes.
How have your own personal experiences shaped your beliefs?
Kyle: I grew up in the High Desert in Southern California and I was always a little different than most of my peers. I got ridiculed for liking “girly” things and made fun of for being overweight. I think it made me want to always stand up for the underdog and put less value into whatever most people think. It’s often easy to tell who is a bully or oppressor and who is being treated unfairly no matter if they’re popular or supported by our government, if you just take one second to think for yourself.
Different experiences and perspectives are bound to influence what has the most significance to you. It’s important for us to be able to form our own opinions without influence from anyone, whether that be a public figure or just a friend. But still, it’s good to inform yourself on current issues and be open to perspectives besides your own, so as to not stay stagnant when it comes to your personal growth.
Students in Pomona High School's AP Economics and Government class have showcased their understanding of real-world issues by writing insightful op-eds for The Pomonan. Combining critical analysis with a touch of journalism, these submissions explore topics at the intersection of economics and government while fostering meaningful engagement with their community. Encouraged by their teacher to think deeply and articulate their perspectives, these young writers have demonstrated creativity, civic awareness, and a growing appreciation for the power of the written word in shaping public discourse.
