The Day I Learned How Early Politics Begins

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬.

I was asked to prepare.

Not casually but seriously. To conduct a stage, hold the mic, and manage an audience. I believed in the opportunity because I was told to. I prepared with confidence, excitement, and pride, even shared the moment with my family. And then, quietly, the decision changed. Not because I lacked skill or confidence, but because sometimes ability isn’t the deciding factor but background is.

I was asked by my teacher to prepare for an external event where I would conduct the stage. It wasn’t about representing the school , but was about communication, confidence, and the ability to handle a mic in front of an audience.

I prepared seriously. Because when a student is told to prepare, it creates trust.

Later, the decision changed. Another student was chosen & not because of stronger stage presence, confidence, or communication skills, but due to background-based preferences.

This is a hard reality many students face early on: Talent is acknowledged, but opportunities are filtered through internal politics.

Rejection is not the issue. Lack of transparency is.

When students are motivated, prepared, and then quietly sidelined, it doesn’t build discipline .. it builds disillusionment.

Still, this experience reinforced something important for me: Skills don’t disappear because of unfair decisions. Confidence doesn’t wait for approval. And people who love the mic will always find a stage.

I remain ready ... not for politically convenient platforms, but for spaces that value merit, clarity, and ability over background.

How do we build confidence in students while navigating biased systems?