Civics 101
I hope I am one of many people driven to put some words together to reflect how proud I am of what young people are doing today. The student March today against gun violence is refreshing, authentic and evidence that critical thinking is alive and well in schools and within the tunnels of social media, beyond schools and teachers. On this first official day marking one month past the cry for “enough” mass shootings in schools, students demonstrated passion and poise. Knowing full well that schools would lose money for students not signing in for attendance first thing in the morning at schools, many students chose to honor the idea of stopping school action for 17 minutes within their school day, honoring each person killed in the Parkland massacre and all who have suffered since the slaying at Sandy Hook. Even when the news was aware of this day, there was little attention given days prior to the event. No one can say fake news manipulated students into action; rather, students rallied via social media to coordinate peaceful walks, and even when threats hurled by spineless administrators that protesting students might face suspension, this has been an incredible first step toward change. While many students on this day have demonstrated respect for the system by “signing in” for the day, there may come a time when students may feel they need to make their point heard more by giving each victim 17 days of protest. Want to get the attention of politicians, disrupt the money train. Sadly, if there are few fiscal casualties of protest, decision-makers can simply get through the day and hope the stories will run their course in the media. Even though Americans were handed a serving of provoking news (firing, via Twitter, of Rex Tillerson; hints at shuffling cabinet members, a $31,000 purchase of a dining room set for Ben Carson…), the day before this historical march, it did not deter the passion of young people to step and be heard today. We cannot underestimate the power of social media as young people were able to mobilize and coordinate such a important march. As I listen to broadcasts all day today, I am moved by students realizing that they are not skipping class; they are doing Civics!
Creative Director, Editorial @ The N2 Company
6 年My 12 year old son walked out of class on his own with about 40 others in his middle school in Loudoun County, Virginia. I was surprised to hear that teachers met the kids at the door and discouraged them from leaving. He was given a lunch detention. I’m proud that he has a mind of his own—and that he had the courage to go through with standing against gun violence with so many other kids and educators across the USA.