To The Students Of The Parkland Shooting
Start writing a post
Politics

To The Students Of The Parkland Shooting

You are not alone in this fight.

203
To The Students Of The Parkland Shooting
Flickr

Let me start off by apologizing.

I want to apologize for the lack of compassion from our congressmen who have chosen and continue to choose to take bribes from the NRA instead of protecting your lives. They watch tragedy after tragedy happen, and have the power to change it, but choose to do nothing out of fear of losing funding or popularity. They did not respect previous victims of mass shootings, and will continue to disrespect you and your classmates.

I want to apologize for the leaders who claim you are "exploit[ing] tragedy for political gain", but are simply in shock because of the backlash their organizations have been receiving. It disgusts me to see how they attempt to diminish the sadness you are feeling.

I want to apologize for those who are trying to turn your tragedy into a conspiracy theory. These people are just downright rude and abhorrent; how could you try and turn a mass shooting into a spooky ghost story to tell at a sleepover?

These people do not deserve to know your brightness and your determination. They do not deserve to bear witness to the light you are trying to bring to the world.

Next, I want to thank you.

I want to thank you for your activism. I, along with thousands of other students, plan on attending the "March For Our Lives" on March 24, and will be proud to walk alongside each and every one of you.

I want to thank you for continuing to remain strong even in the face of tragedy. What you are doing will impact this country for years to come, and I am so sorry that you had to to suffer such devastating losses.

Lastly, I want to let you know that you are not alone in this fight for justice.

Your strength and your determination to make this world a better place has inspired so many people. Many schools, mine included are proposing a walkout. Already, teachers have gone on strike until more stringent gun laws are put in place.

Even in my own hometown, there are walkouts.

My close friend, Ciara Kelly, is organizing a walkout in Rutherford High School. On March 14, at 10:00 AM, all of RHS is walking out of school in memoriam for your peers and to protest gun violence.

When asked about why she is joining in the protests, she said:

"I am walking out to defend the lives of the students of America, my sister in eighth grade, teachers, and my own life.

Many may say that it is not that serious, but to me it is. Every person can recall a time they have said, 'that could never happen to me.' But what happens when it does? Who can you blame?

In the case of the school shooting at Parkland High School, the shooter could be blamed, the person that sold him the gun can be blamed, the government can be blamed, the 2nd amendment can be blamed. I refuse to let another life simply be taken and then realize that the person who holds the blame needs to be held accountable because eventually you, yourself become the person of blame.

I cannot and will not allow another child, teacher, human being become a victim of gun violence and neither will schools across the country in which brave students and teachers ban together to show that in a dark time, change can blow the clouds away for a ray of hope.

I also will not permit my own life to be seen as less than that of the check that state legislators and other politicians receive from the NRA.

The students of America deserve more and if after the tragedy that has occurred adults in government cannot see that there is a clear need for change then I will walk out of my school hand in hand with my classmates, teachers, and administration to protest gun violence and memorialize the 17 victims of the Parkland High School shooting.

It is time to take the matters of my life into my own hands. I come to school to learn and have a bright future, not fear that a gunman will walk through the doors and kill me or my classmates. I will live by, 'That could never happen to me, because I did something about it.'"

She is not the only one. These walkouts are occurring everywhere, in schools across the country.

Never again, will you be alone. We are all standing with you in some form or another.

Thank you. This is because you persisted.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

42691
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26798
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951859
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

140170
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments