With the political controversy surrounding the current administration and the polarization it has sparked, a smaller but growing trend has emerged: the rise of the “staying in the middle.”
Many people, particularly online, describe themselves as “centrist” or proudly claim that they “don’t do politics.” This stance is often presented as a sign of maturity or level-headedness, as a way to rise above the drama.
In practice, though, it functions as a pressure release valve, a way to simply avoid discomfort, conflict, and responsibility.
While this reflex isn’t new, its normalization is relatively recent. Political neutrality has become a form of social branding, particularly among influencers and celebrities who fear alienating their audiences.
For instance, Taylor Swift, arguably one of the most influential celebrities with a large following and platform, has not spoken out about the Israel-Gaza conflict at all, with other well-known figures following suit.
After the 2024 Met Gala, many observers noticed this and reacted to the “blockout” trend, where social media users highlighted the extreme contrast between celebrity lifestyles and those of individuals who have suffered due to the Israel-Hamas war, with celebrities’ reluctance to speak out about these issues making the situation even more problematic.
Beyond this, ordinary citizens have also begun adopting this silence, often using it to sidestep conversations that feel overwhelming or contentious. The common rhetoric of “both sides are equally bad” offers a way to disengage without acknowledging that disengagement itself is a political act.
Often, during heated debates or high-pressure situations, people tend to say they “stay out of politics” to avoid discomfort and potential conflict.
However, a research study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology shows that “staying out of it” is often the wrong approach, as it actually fosters distrust and leads others to perceive people, especially celebrities, as disingenuous.
Essentially, political neutrality doesn’t read as fairness, but rather just as avoidance.
Unfortunately, that avoidance, whether it is intentional or not, is often rooted in privilege. The ability to ignore politics usually belongs to those who feel protected from its outcomes. The people whose rights, livelihoods, and safety are unlikely to be affected by the policies of the party or administration that holds power.
For many others, politics is not an abstraction but a daily reality: access to healthcare, the right to vote, the legality of their relationships, and the safety of their communities. For them, there is no “middle” to retreat to. They don’t have the choice of being neutral or saying that they “stay out of politics.”
None of this means people must adopt extreme positions or be the loudest in the room during political debates.
Real centrism, rooted in nuance, evidence, and the individual weighing of issues, has a truly important place in a functioning democracy. But today’s widespread modern version of centrism and neutrality is not that. Instead of being an actual political ideal, it is used as a shield, allowing people to disengage or opt out of politics while pretending they’re being objective.
During a time when politics and government policies shape every aspect of daily life, neutrality cannot be treated as an apolitical space.
Being neutral is a choice with consequences, and one that often supports the status quo by default. When the stakes are this high and the issues this important, claiming to sit out of the debate is not the same thing as rising above it; it’s simply just choosing comfort over responsibility.
We don’t all have to agree, but we do all have to recognize that opting out of politics is neither neutral nor harmless. Politics affects everyone, whether they participate or not. The only real question is who is privileged enough to pretend otherwise.
This editorial reflects the views of the Editorial Board and was written by Ashlyn Wong. The Editorial Board voted 10 in agreement, 5 somewhat in agreement, 1 in disagreement, and 1 refrained from voting.
