The gun control debate rages across the country once again, we see the same talking points spewed out. Republicans call for safer schools while not infringing on the Second Amendment. Democrats call for expanded background checks and weapon bans.
But, as adults talk and talk and do nothing, a new group of activists has risen. The students of Stoneman Douglas High School are speaking out on gun control and forcing the American public to recognize, once and for all, the importance of this issue as it pertains to the physical and emotional safety of my generation.
Young voices are being raised and are finally contributing to the national conversation. These new perspectives will finally help us reach a consensus on guns in this nation.
People my age know more about what’s going on in this country than we are given credit for. We have issues we care about: The environment, healthcare, net neutrality and, now, gun control.
We post on Instagram and Snapchat not “thoughts and prayers” but rants and complaints lodged against the inaction of the people in power. We want something, anything, done and done quickly. Young people see clearly what’s going on in this country, without campaign funds or political pushback clouding our judgment.
The days of teenagers being dismissed just because they are teenagers are coming to an end. It will be our generation that fixes the mess left by our parents and grandparents. High school students know that they can change our country and that speaking out, going to town halls and attending marches
are, little by little, altering America for the better.
I, for one, attended Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s town hall on gun control in Lafayette recently. While attendance at such events is, I believe, imperative to furthering the discussion on gun control, these town halls are not enough. Real action is needed and needed soon.
But, as adults talk and talk and do nothing, a new group of activists has risen. The students of Stoneman Douglas High School are speaking out on gun control and forcing the American public to recognize, once and for all, the importance of this issue as it pertains to the physical and emotional safety of my generation.
Young voices are being raised and are finally contributing to the national conversation. These new perspectives will finally help us reach a consensus on guns in this nation.
People my age know more about what’s going on in this country than we are given credit for. We have issues we care about: The environment, healthcare, net neutrality and, now, gun control.
We post on Instagram and Snapchat not “thoughts and prayers” but rants and complaints lodged against the inaction of the people in power. We want something, anything, done and done quickly. Young people see clearly what’s going on in this country, without campaign funds or political pushback clouding our judgment.
The days of teenagers being dismissed just because they are teenagers are coming to an end. It will be our generation that fixes the mess left by our parents and grandparents. High school students know that they can change our country and that speaking out, going to town halls and attending marches
are, little by little, altering America for the better.
I, for one, attended Rep. Mark DeSaulnier’s town hall on gun control in Lafayette recently. While attendance at such events is, I believe, imperative to furthering the discussion on gun control, these town halls are not enough. Real action is needed and needed soon.
