“Children, after all, are not just adults-in-the-making. They are people whose current needs and rights and experiences must be taken seriously.” — Alfie Kohn
If you talk to anybody about today’s youth, you’ll most likely receive the response on how “everything has changed”, or that “things are not like they used to be.” So, what does this mean? How is today’s youth different than it was in the past? Is it because our lives are saturated with ideals of social media and technology? All of these questions echo inside our heads, and unfortunately there is no clear answer.
As like every other teen, my life, I admit, is extremely impacted by the use of social media. Part of me feels guilty of saying this, but I learned that it’s not something to be ashamed of. As cliche as it may sound, social media and the access to technology is a blessing. Our society has changed drastically, and it’s no shock that the world around us feels different. The youth is constantly growing up in a world that is evolving; in which the culture is set by the individuals and ideals that came before them. There’s no use for blaming the youth for today’s problems, when the problems are deeply embedded in a faulty society. Social media is an outlet, that has virtually transformed the ways of activism and protesting. Without it, how could we recognize the problems of discrimination and violence, and evoke change? Significant issues would go unnoticed, and dehumanization would thrive. Thanks to social media, we have the power to bring evilness into the light; we can acknowledge problems effectively and find a solution.
Now that I am done rambling, I want to accentuate my main point in writing this piece; and that is the purpose of teen activism, and how today’s youth holds a significant voice in society. In the past month, our nation has been shook once again by a mass shooting. This event took place at Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland Florida. This was a tragic event, where seventeen innocent lives were taken. I won’t be going into much detail about these individuals, but if you would like to know more about them, and of the tragedy, I encourage you to read my article from last month.
On Wednesday, March 14th, marks one month since the shooting; and the incident has not been forgotten. On this day, compassionate students and teachers walked out of school for seventeen minutes to be a part of the National School Walkout. This event has been portrayed on social media, where we see hundreds of thousands of kids mourn for the seventeen live lost, and protest for the protection of their youth. This includes, encouraging the action of gun reform laws, better mental health care, and effective safety in schools. It is needed said that these kids are not just walking out to get out of class. They are living in a world where they see fellow classmates being shot. This is an ongoing tragedy that we face too often, and it has drastically affected the minds of young people. They are scared, but they are resilient, and will fight for the safety of their future. Schools, in fact, are a place to learn. In no situation should a child feel afraid of attaining their education, for it is their right to flourish.
Here at Greenwood on the day of the walkout, me and my fellow students organized a “walkout” in a way that we could speak our voices respectively, while still being effective. We were able to walk up to the auditorium, link arms and form a circle, say the names of the seventeen victims out loud, speak our opinions on ways to make change, and contact our senators and representatives about our views, encouraging them to take action. This experience was emotional, but passionate and effective. We got to form together as a community, and had a chance for our voices to be heard.
To conclude my thoughts, I want to say devotedly that I put my faith in this generation, and their strifes of influencing change. I believe that the voice of every teenager matters. The youth of America is passionate, caring, and powerful. We are still developing, and learning; but we are not just struggling “adults-in-the-making”, we are living our lives now, and our lives matter more than ever. I encourage every person to speak out against prejudice and discrimination, violence and hatefulness. Even if you are doubted, keep persisting. You might be able to change the world one day.
*The views and opinions mentioned in this article are NOT affiliated with the views and opinions of Greenwood
If you are interested in contacting your representatives, here is a guide to help: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicole-silverberg/guide-elected-representatives-gun-control_b_8708154.html
If you are interested in participating in “March For Our Lives” to demand school safety and diminish gun violence, visit here for more information: https://marchforourlives.com/