In the wake of the horrible shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14, I have practically had my eyes glued to Twitter and every news station that’s been discussing the reactions to the shooting. We’ve all seen it happen before: a tragedy involving gun violence occurs, it’s all that people talk about for the next week, and then just as suddenly as the story became popular, the story disappears from the news and no one feels the repercussions of the event except for the community and the people that it directly affected.

I expected that the Parkland shooting would be no different. But somehow, against all odds, the reactions from this school shooting have been wildly unlike those in the past. Not only have people across the country been arguing in the favor of gun control, but the students, parents and teachers from the high school have also been taking a stance.

Watching students who are just a few years younger than me be so vocal and take so much action in their fight for gun control has been inspiring. I can’t imagine the pain they’ve been through, and I can’t even fathom putting myself and my opinions in front of the public in the way they have while they are still grieving.

No matter what your political views, you must admit these kids are amazing. And no matter what your political views, you must realize that the actions of the Parkland students since the shooting are so important. They are not to be overlooked and simply seen as the silly reactions of hurting children.

There is not a doubt in my mind that these students, and everyone who joins in their fight, are changing the United States.

The outcry of the students has finally gotten the attention of everyone in the country and has caused people to become more educated on the NRA, gun control, gun violence and the arguments that surround the issue of guns. Not only that, but the students have gotten the attention of Florida legislators, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump and the NRA itself, all people who can help enforce the changes that the students wish to see, if they choose to come to their senses.

Saying that these students will soon lose the power of their voice or that their promotion of gun control is insignificant is completely wrong. The fact is that these students, this generation that is so looked down upon by the baby boomers, are the future. One day the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School will no longer be just seventeen-year-olds who are marching in the streets and begging for adults to open their eyes and save lives by implementing more gun control. One day they will be the adults who are going to take the actions that could lead to a country that no longer sees news stories about gun violence and school shootings every other day.

These students and the discussion around gun control right now are important, so pay attention, because you’re seeing history in the making.