People yell. Others honk. Some look away. A few stare. One learns a lot about fellow human beings when expressing an opinion in public.

Some time when you have your active citizen juices flowing, take that opinion you’ve always held dearly, get a few people and scrawl it on a piece of poster board; then stand at the corner of Welch Ave. and Lincoln Way.

You would think, from the reaction of passers-by, that you were shooting bright green slime out your head. I’m convinced it doesn’t even matter the cause or message, because you’ll get that look of utter wonder even before people can see what we’re saying.

You can see people in their cars straining their heads, “What is this?” “Just who are these crazy people?” “Oh no, are they participating in democracy?” “They must be crazy.”

That’s right. You, as a demonstrator engaging in constitutionally protected — if not encouraged — activity, will be treated as a nut, someone who has gone off the deep end. Why? Because you have an opinion and you are willing to stand before fellow citizens and express that view.

It happens regardless of the group or cause and is a testament to the sad state of political life in the United States. Our regard for active participation in democracy has fallen victim to our culture of political and geographic illiteracy.

Let me share a headline on CNN.com from Wednesday: “Global goofs: U.S. youth can’t find Iraq.”

According to this news story, a National Geographic Society survey found that among American 18- to 24-year-olds provided maps, 87 percent of them could not identify Iraq. Moreover, 83 percent couldn’t find Afghanistan and 76 percent were unable to locate Saudi Arabia. To top it all off, 70 percent couldn’t place New Jersey.

A quote from John Fahey, president of National Geographic, speaks volumes: “Someone once said that war is God’s way of teaching geography, but today, apparently war or even the threat of war cannot adequately teach geography.”

It seems to call into question the accuracy of those polls broadcasting that Americans “support” an invasion and occupation Iraq. Could those polled place the Middle East on a world map?

Mr. Fahey continued, “More American young people can tell you where an island that the “Survivor” TV series came from is located than can identify Afghanistan or Iraq. Ironically a TV show seems more real or at least more meaningful, interesting or relevant than reality.”

So why don’t we want to express our opinions? Why stand up for a cause when “Sex and the City” is on TV or the latest Maxim promises to show you more of Tyra Banks than ever before?

There’s no time, right?

You know, people are busy with school and work. They have opinions, but they are too busy to express them.

That’s what we thought until a columnist for the Daily wrote an inflammatory piece this fall mocking Nebraska fans in anticipation for big game. College students and alumni are too busy to voice their opinion, right?

Wrong.

As though it were some divine rite of Nebraskan-ness, every Husker in the Western Hemisphere (plus the letter from the U.S. Marine and Husker fan stationed in Kandahar) assailed the Daily for the grave injustice that is allowing such horrible journalism to be published.

Columnists for the Iowa State Daily write on a variety of topics, from politics to agriculture.

What does it take get people to care enough to be active participants in democracy: to vote, to speak out on their opinions, to criticize unjust policy?

Corporate farms, state slashes in higher education and a foreign policy gone haywire won’t do it, but prematurely informing Nebraska fans of their looming defeat sure does.

Is everyone cut out for public demonstration? Probably not.

Does everyone need to demonstrate all the time to be an active citizen? Of course not, but regardless of your cause, do something. Vote. Write letters, make calls to the people who work for you in Washington D.C., Des Moines, or your city council.

And if you feel like it, get out there and demonstrate. It’s harder and much more fulfilling than you think.

So there you have it. Find an issue, place a call, take a stand and count yourself among those active in our democracy.

Omar Tesdell

is a junior in journalism

and mass communication from Slater. He is the online editor of the Daily.