Since the birth of this nation over 243 years ago, we have been told to be the change that we want to see in this world. Past presidents, community leaders, and activists have stressed the importance of civic engagement within the community, explaining that it is how we create connections while also improving the lives of others. As children, we are taught lessons on how one person's actions, or a group of people, can change how the world works. Because of these lessons, we are inspired to go out and advocate for the change we want to see in the world.
Recently, students around the country have been staging walk-outs in their schools in order to protest the rather lax gun laws of the United States in the wake of the Stoneman Douglas school shooting that occurred on February 14th. In a historic moment, children are finally taking a stand and making their voices heard on an issue that has been plaguing the United States for far too long. Emma Gonzales has arguably become the defacto leader of this movement, along with several other students who survived the SDHS shooting, which demonstrates the power America's youth possesses. While many politicians and celebrities are applauding their protests, others are condemning them for speaking out.
The same people who urged them to "stop being lazy and take the initiative" are now lambasting these children for using their civic duty to protest for gun control.
Right-wing conservatives are so concerned about protecting their precious right to free speech yet they feel threatened when students start using their voices to bring light to an issue that has been swept under the rug for years. It seems like Republicans only support a movement that is in the interest of their own agendas and beliefs (I mean, they really aren't concerned when white supremacists speak hate and intolerance).
Just like how Black Lives Matter has All Lives Matter, Walkout has gained the despicable Walkup movement. This movement tells kids that the only way to protect themselves from being killed while in school is to be nice to the quiet kids who don't have a lot of friends. This blatant victim shaming is dangerous for children since it makes them complacent in their murder as well as others. It is an illusion of action; nothing is being changed, nothing is being rectified. Innocent children and people will continue to be gunned down, even if they had "walked up" to the quiet kid in class.
Stop criticizing the people who are taking the initiative to change things rather than sit back and do nothing. You're not going to convince them that what they're doing is wrong, that it's disrespectful, that it's not going to change anything. You'll only make them want to do it more, just to prove you wrong. Civic engagement is necessary for change. Civil disobedience is necessary for change.
Unless you want the blood of innocents to be on your hands, I suggest you wake up and support those who are looking for answers and action.