We can’t afford to opt out of civic engagement
By: Rebecca Hutton, President & CEO, Leadership Indianapolis
The tone of public discourse has grown sharper, louder and more personal in recent years. For many people, the constant churn of conflict makes stepping back feel not only understandable, but necessary. When every issue seems framed as a battle, opting out can feel like the best way to preserve relationships and to protect peace of mind.
Many people have lost a friendship, strained a family tie or withdrawn from conversation altogether because of politics. The rhetoric has grown so heated, and at times even intimidating or violent, that disengagement can feel like the safest choice. But when ‘staying out of politics’ means we withdraw from civic life entirely, we don’t escape the consequences – we simply leave decisions about our shared future to fewer and fewer voices.
There are concerning trends reflected in the biannual Indiana Civic Health Index from the Indiana Bar Foundation: since 2017, Indiana dropped from 18th to 42nd nationally on discussing issues with neighbors. We dropped from 20th to 44th in voting in local elections and 27th to 46th in attending public meetings.
Engagement matters. As stated in the report, “Citizens working together, sharing viewpoints, and communicating with democratic institutions can not only reduce inefficiencies and errors, but they will also build habits that will ensure that democracy survives.”
Civic engagement can look like mentoring a young person, volunteering at a local nonprofit, attending a school board or city council meeting, participating in a neighborhood association, serving on a community advisory board, supporting local journalism or simply helping a neighbor in need. Even for those who prefer not to engage ‘politically,’ there are countless ways to show up in civic life. These actions strengthen the social fabric that makes democratic participation possible.
On the opposite end of the spectrum of the unengaged, we have those who are getting very engaged – but perhaps not in the most productive way. I often tell participants in our leadership development programs that “you can’t wait until you’re enraged to become engaged.” While anger can serve as a catalyst for involvement, opportunities for constructive engagement have often passed by the time frustration has peaked. Civic health is built not in moments of crisis, but through consistent participation.
And no, screaming into the abyss on social media doesn’t equal engagement. Listen, I understand the temptation. It can feel important, even satisfying, to declare a stance in the digital public square. But monologues without action are performative. I personally have very strong opinions about many issues – but my strongest opinion is that our communities need people who care more about solving issues than about being right.
We can’t just surround ourselves with people who think the same way we do. We need to intentionally put ourselves in rooms where people with different perspectives work thoughtfully and respectfully toward solutions. True inclusion requires not only allowing diverse voices, but also listening to them, engaging with them, and learning from them…especially when we disagree.
Communities with strong civic health indicators experience broader benefits: residents are healthier, employment rates are higher, schools are thriving and organizations collaborate more effectively for the public good. If we want these stronger communities, we cannot afford widespread disengagement or reactive participation alone. Civic health is sustained when people show up consistently, constructively and locally.
So here is a simple civic health agenda for our community: engage close to home, engage with purpose and engage often. Thriving communities don’t grow by accident. They are built by neighbors who choose participation over withdrawal and problem-solving over polarization. Our civic health – and our shared future – depend on it.
Read more Perspectives from Leadership Indianapolis President & CEO Rebecca Hutton and other leaders at Inside INdiana Business.