The civics test should not define citizenship

Why having political knowledge is more important than U.S. history

OLIVIA SYNEK / OPINION EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

I was sitting in my Political Communications class when my professor put on a YouTube video titled “Jaywalking Citizenship Test.” This video featured Jay Leno walking up to strangers on the streets and asking them simple questions that would show up on the U.S. Citizenship Test, or the civics test. They were all citizens of the United States. 

The first question Jay asked was, “What country did we fight in the Revolutionary War.” Citizen #1, Debbie, answered France. He then asked Debbie, “If the President and the Vice President were to die, who would then become president?” Debbie claimed it would be the Secretary of State. She was wrong both times. 

In order to become a U.S. citizen, immigrants need to take a test that asks several questions regarding the U.S. Questions range from details about the Constitutional Amendments, branches of our government, high political positions, the colonial period, etc. 

For instance, the test could ask the name of three Supreme Court Justices.  I am a  U.S. citizen, but off the top of my head I can only name Sonia Sotomeyer and Amy Coney Barrett. Does that mean I should get my citizenship revoked? Absolutely not. Why is it important for me to be able to remember “one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for” or to be able to recall “the last day you can send in federal tax forms” or to be able to define the “rule of law?” The civics test deems this important information

Not only were the citizens in the video unable to answer the questions, but even I was struggling to find the answers to a few. I am a White female whose first language is English – no one would second guess my U.S. citizenship based on how many questions I can answer. Yet, we are having immigrants, some who may even be asylum-seekers, spend excessive time studying for this pointless test. 

I say pointless because it makes no sense why someone who wants to live in America should know the answers to most of the questions, considering every day U.S. citizens would fail the test. I would even fail   the civics test, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what is going on in America. 

Passing the citizenship test should not deem you a U.S. citizen. The citizenship test is outdated and not proactive considering people who were born and raised in America do not even know the answers to some of these questions. It is important and crucial for all Americans to have political knowledge, in order to be able to vote in elections, which is one of the main rights of a U.S. citizen. If immigrants are expected to be tested on their knowledge of the U.S., it should be present knowledge not questions I answered on my middle school American history final. 

Every citizen should have political knowledge in order to cast a well-informed vote. If immigrants are going to hopefully become U.S. citizens, I do think it is important for them to have some political knowledge so that they can cast an educated vote. 

I think it is naive of Americans to not educate themselves on politics. No matter what your political beliefs are, it is so crucial that we exercise our right to vote, protest, and petition. For me, it is crucial because now I can vote in favor of minority groups who may not be able to vote themselves due to continuous efforts of voter suppression, a lack of citizenship, or being too young. 

As college students, we may have similar views or we could have polarizing opinions. No matter what it is, reading the news is necessary, as is learning about politics in a college classroom. I highly recommend downloading both national and local news apps such as CNN and NBC 7, then turning on notifications. Because I do this, I’m aware of any breaking local or national news stories. This way I stay on top of what’s going on in America and around San Diego. We are responsible  for educating ourselves on the major topics circulating around American news because we are responsible for casting a well-informed vote. 

Increasing their political knowledge is what U.S. citizens should be focusing on. That being said, increasing and having political knowledge is also what soon-to-be U.S. citizens should be focusing on. 

Although Susan B. Anthony was an American feminist hero, she should not be the reason an immigrant cannot pass the civics test. America is not going to become a better country by continuously educating and testing citizens and non-citizens about it’s history. America will grow when political knowledge grows, as it is necessary for our democratic society.