To Tweet or Not to Tweet About Politics

People who view my Twitter page sometimes ask my why I've advertised my political affiliation on Twitter or why I choose to Tweet about politics.

The short answer is, "I'm a person who is passionate about political activism. Anyone who knows me will learn that very quickly. Since Twitter is primarily a relationship-building tool, I can't build an authentic relationship with another person on Twitter if I'm not disclosing that part of my personality." But really, there's more to the decision about whether or not to Tweet about politics than just passion and personality.

Should You Tweet About Your Political Views?

This decision depends largely on one's personal own level of comfort with Twitter, online political discourse, and talking about politics in general. Some people wear their politics on their sleeves--often literally--while other people may have very strong opinions, yet rarely share them outside the context of a specifically political event. Some individuals, including judges and many reporters, can't discuss their personal politics without jeopardizing their livelihood.

My grandmother told me, "If you want to be well-liked by everyone you meet, never talk about sex, politics, or religion."

That's good advice. It holds true today. But people who keep those topics out of their conversations may be sacrificing the opportunity to build deeper relationships with others. Some of my strongest friendships throughout my lifetime have been built on a shared interest in political activism. Had I refused to discuss politics, I'd never have become as close to these friends.

Ultimately, the question is, which sacrifice would you rather make? Would you rather avoid discussing politics on Twitter and lose the opportunity to bond with others based on shared views or even an amicable debate? Or would you rather talk about politics on Twitter, knowing that you'll likely drive some potential friends and followers away because they disagree with your views?

If political activism is a part of your daily life and you're not working an an industry where you must keep your views private, it's probably okay to Tweet about politics if you wish to do so. I think many of my wittiest and most meaningful Tweets have been political messages.

On the other hand, if you're not "into" politics, there's no real reason to Tweet about political issues. The existence of political discussions on Twitter and active political groups like #tcot (True Conservatives on Twitter) doesn't constitute a requirement that all Twitter users participate in political discussions. It's never rude to beg off talking politics with a polite, "I'm afraid I simply don't discuss my political views--I find it's much easier to keep friends when I stay out of politics!"