I’m sitting on my couch, staring out the window as I watch the melting snow drip from the tree branches. It’s like the trees are crying, I think. They’re weeping right alongside all of America.
It’s only been four days—how has it only been four days? Four days since 17 children lost their lives in a school shooting. Another school shooting. There have been 18 this year, and it’s only February.
And we have refused to take action on gun reform, so now our children are doing it for us. They’re organizing marches and appearing on national news circuits, showing up and speaking out for what is right. They’re calling out politicians and raising money for victim’s families, refusing to bow to fear. We could learn a thing or two (or one million) from them.
They inherently know what we are trying to forget: it’s all about connection.
Violence happens when meaningful connection is severed, and the kids are banning together while the rest of us are distancing from one another even further.
We are not the real leaders of America. They are.
So the world can keep it’s theories about why gun reform won’t work—but I’ll be following the kids.
Here are 3 ways to stand with the kids and enact real change:
1. Listen to the kids.
Follow them on social media. Watch their interviews. Pay attention because they have important things to teach us.
Start here:
“My generation won’t stand for this” by Cameron Kasky
2. Call your legislators.
Demand action. Let them know you will not stand for apathy any longer. We cannot afford to continue doing what we’ve always done while expecting different results.
Find your Senate representatives here.
Find your House representatives here.
On March 24, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets of Washington DC to demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that we end this epidemic of mass school shootings. The collective voices of the March For Our Lives movement will be heard. Join us in DC or march in your own community.
Are you angry? Upset? Frustrated? Scared? Good.
Do something about it.
Bailey Welch-Pomerantz 