A political science major loses its wings whenever the phrase “Could we just not make things political?” is uttered. The room tenses. Glances are quietly shared. God forbid you commit the sin of “being political.”

But the phrase is inherently wrong. It suffers from a fundamental misunderstanding of what I’ve found to be true time and time again: Politics are everywhere.

I think it would be accurate to say that NC State’s School of Public and International Affairs — and particularly those in political science — are made out to be the troublesome, dramatic middle children of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

SPIA is an island of sorts, one that you only might take the time to visit when election season gets especially rough, and — like magic — once election results are in, everyone disappears.

It is the island where the talkative, opinionated people go. We sit huddled around our makeshift campfires from the burning pages of The New York Times, waiting for another four years. When the fresh new faces finally show up, our crazed eyes and outstretched hands are a little off-putting.

“Please vote, please vote, please vote,” we chant. We might look crazy, and it feels crazy when no one really wants to listen.

Because politics are everywhere all the time, even when you aren’t on your way to the ballot box.

This is coming from a trained eye, however. A political science major from a politically active family who often consumes political media is naturally going to pick up on the small notions of policy or political ideology in everyday life.

But there’s also more to politics than just the government.

There are a few definitions of politics. The first aligns with what likely first comes to mind for most of us: Capitol Hill, suits, pearls and presidential debates. You could think of executive orders or the Civil Rights Act. It is the “art or science of government,” or how government works and functions.

A second definition is much more broad: “The total complex of relations between people living in society.” But what does this mean?

Well, for starters, have you ever had an argument? That’s politics. Do you remember critically thinking about an opinion that differed from yours? That’s politics. Ever worked to figure out the best plan of action for a group project in class?

Yes, your engineering major is political, actually.

Both of these definitions of how we think about politics spring up in your life constantly, whether you know it or not. Not only are government policies affecting you, the people you know and the institutions you rely on, but you’re also unknowingly political in your everyday life.

Being aware of your not-so-underlying political life is the first step; interacting with it is the next.

The problem with the question “Could we just not make things political?” is not only that it is inherently incorrect but it’s also completely reflective of our fear of politics. Our tendency to push it away or ignore it.

Why, really, are we so afraid of politics?

There is a simple answer. In today’s day and age, it’s messy. It’s mean. It divides us more often than it brings us together. It’s difficult to mention it when we’d rather just “get along.” Politics, though, has never just meant bloodthirsty, spiraling arguments.

Politics dictates the cleanliness of your drinking water, funds state universities like NC State and outlines government-funded STEM goals. It also bans books, targets the most marginalized of our community and decides whether a struggling family is eligible for welfare or citizenship.

Politics are present when you set boundaries with your partner or negotiate a paper extension with your professor. It can easily uplift or abuse others.

Therefore, your political apathy has direct, dangerous and dividing outcomes.

Ignoring current policies and political action altogether perpetuates compliance. As the saying goes, staying silent is siding with the oppressor, not the oppressed.

Denying the influence of personal politics in your life has effects reaching beyond the tip of your nose too. Refusing to develop and nurture critical thinking skills not only makes communication and innovation more difficult but erodes your empathy as well.

The “scary” politics we avoid so regularly can only become less scary when we acknowledge and interact with them. Continuing to quietly label politics as taboo means we never talk about it. If we never talk about it, nothing ever changes.

It’s time to stop avoiding it — politics are there whether you like it or not.