In today’s political climate, “fake news” has become a catch-all excuse to dismiss inconvenient facts. Don’t like what a journalist reports? Fake news. Don’t want to acknowledge the consequences of climate change? Fake news. Don’t want to face the hard truths of systemic injustice? Fake news. It’s an easy way out—a way to avoid engaging with uncomfortable realities. But here’s the thing: facts don’t cease to exist because they make you uneasy. Science doesn’t become a lie because it challenges your worldview. Truth isn’t up for debate just because you don’t want to believe it.
The rejection of objective truth isn’t just frustrating—it’s dangerous. When people decide that facts are subjective, we lose the ability to have rational discussions, let alone create effective policies. Take climate change, for example. The overwhelming consensus among scientists is that human activity is warming the planet. This isn’t a matter of opinion. It’s not a conspiracy cooked up by tree-huggers in lab coats. It’s physics. Yet, because addressing climate change means confronting industries that pollute for profit, many politicians and their followers label the science “fake news.” The result? Inaction that leads to more devastating storms, rising sea levels, and hotter summers that hit working-class communities hardest.
The same logic applies to public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we watched people reject expert medical advice simply because they didn’t like what it meant for their personal freedoms. Mask mandates, vaccines, social distancing—all dismissed as “fake” despite overwhelming evidence of their effectiveness. And when misinformation took root, it wasn’t just a matter of differing opinions; it cost lives.
Even history isn’t safe. In Florida, where I live, leaders have tried to rewrite the past to fit a more palatable narrative—downplaying the horrors of slavery, banning books that make people uncomfortable, and silencing discussions of racism. But historical facts don’t change just because they make some people uneasy. Teaching the truth about our past is not about guilt; it’s about ensuring we don’t repeat our mistakes.
This culture of denial isn’t just about misinformation—it’s about power. When politicians and corporations convince people to reject objective truth, they make it easier to push harmful policies without accountability. If science is fake, there’s no reason to regulate pollution. If racism is fake, there’s no need for civil rights protections. If poverty statistics are fake, there’s no urgency to address economic inequality. It’s a deliberate strategy to keep people uninformed and divided.
So what do we do about it? First, we need to stop treating facts like opinions. Truth isn’t a matter of personal preference. When experts present evidence-based conclusions, we should listen—even when it’s inconvenient. Second, we must hold those in power accountable for spreading disinformation. If a politician or media outlet deliberately misleads the public, they should be called out, not rewarded with airtime and votes. And finally, we need to encourage critical thinking. It’s not enough to tell people what’s true; we need to teach them how to evaluate sources, question motives, and distinguish fact from propaganda.
It’s time to face reality. Not everything is up for debate. Some things are just true, whether you like them or not. And if that makes you uncomfortable, maybe it’s time to ask why—because truth doesn’t need your approval to exist.
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