Political Novice

Growing up, I was surrounded by strong, right-winged believers almost my entire life. While politics were never pushed or talked about much in my home, it was a fact that my family-- immediate and extended-- was entirely comprised of Conservatives.

Growing up in a Baptist Church, this should probably have been expected. While religion and politics claim to be separate affairs, I think we can all agree that one tends to influence the other in some very big ways, and while politics were never spoken of much in my home or in my church, I was conditioned to believe the Conservative way. 

Now, I'm not saying I've rebelled from this much... but I've also never been a politically savvy person, nor have I ever cared much to learn about politics. I thought I knew where I stood when it came to the leaders of our country and the big issues, but I'm slowly learning just how little I know about what REALLY goes on within our government.

I moved to Austin a few years ago and it was quite a culture shock. Moving from a small, sheltered, conservative home in Northern Detroit to the colorful, inventive, and rebellious city of Austin (a city with the strongest concentration of Democrats in Texas) was eye-opening to say the least. A move like that in the middle of your adolescence is bound to make you question your beliefs.

And so here I am, now 20 years old and still clueless about our government, but ready to make an effort to find a side to take, a place to stand, or a party to affiliate with. 

Think of me as the Political Novice-- ears and eyes open, new and impressionable, skeptical but intrigued.