In May of 1963 the Civil Rights movement had stalled in Birmingham Alabama as Bull Conner and the city leaders had made protests more difficult with long jail sentences for those who challenged the racist environments. The adults feared losing their jobs, families and homes. But high school children had no jobs to lose. So they walked out of class, marched on the town and added many new voices to the calls for justice. Conner used fire hoses on them, and brought down violence. Those images were brought to all of America through print media and brave photographers who stood on the streets even as police tried to stop them. Those photos of young people being attacked by the racist government officials led to a change in attitude for many in the country and marked a turning point in the cause.
In 1969 it was young people who frequented the Stonewall Inn in New York's Greenwich village that rebelled against the oppressive actions of the police and the homophobic culture of the time. Sylvia Rivera was an 18 year old drag queen the helped launch gay liberation groups and worked to helped homeless gay youth was at Stonewall when the riot broke out in May of '69. This was a turning point in gay rights and opened the door for many to come out in support of the right of gay people to live openly. It also led to better programs to help those homeless youth, often kicked out of home for being gay, to get help and not have to resort to hustling or fall prey to the streets.
In the late sixties, as America was being torn apart by the assassinations of the 60s and the debate over our involvement in Vietnam it was young people who led the way. In May of 1970 four of those young people lost their lives on the campus of Kent State in Ohio, as National Guard members opened fire on a group of protesters. The country heard their voice and in less than 3 years the United States withdrew from that conflict.
In the 1980s I am proud to say I was part of a movement that challenged our country to stop investing in South Africa which supported the Apartheid government. While there were a diversity of voices that were out there, young people in high school and college educated the public while protesting on campuses, at businesses and to the government.
In every major cultural change movement of my life time, youth voice was there, loud and unafraid of the consequences to themselves by the authorities that stood in the way of change. So to see 100s of thousands of young people march this past weekend in Washington and around the world to help seek solutions to the problem of gun violence and mass shootings is not a surprise. It is a continuation of what I have known to be true my entire career of working with young people. Young people will act when given the opportunity if they have the passion. The school shooting at in Parkland, Florida was the spark because those students, many who have been taught to stand up for what they believe, many supported by parents in their beliefs, gave us a lesson in how to be brave. Attacked by those who share the false narrative that any gun restriction is a violation of the 2nd amendment and an attempt at confiscation, likened to Nazis by those who fear the very conversation about the role of guns in our society, and laughed at by a right-wing noise machine that uses simplistic humor for cheap cheers from their listeners, these students were not stopped. A metaphor played out on Saturday as one speaker vomited from the adrenaline pumping through her, scared to speak to so many, but persisted through and told truth to power.
Movements happen because someone or a small group of someones decide that their goal is worth the effort, the ridicule and the costs. Often those movements are led by people who are looking to the future they want to build. Young people's voice have always been important. If you disagree with these youth, listen to them and answer them where they are wrong. They are able to learn more about the issues. If you agree with them, support them and teach them how to respond with class, information and clear vision. If you choose to just ridicule them, you are risk for being on the wrong side of history. In the words of a 20th century prophet, Mr. David Bowie:
In 1969 it was young people who frequented the Stonewall Inn in New York's Greenwich village that rebelled against the oppressive actions of the police and the homophobic culture of the time. Sylvia Rivera was an 18 year old drag queen the helped launch gay liberation groups and worked to helped homeless gay youth was at Stonewall when the riot broke out in May of '69. This was a turning point in gay rights and opened the door for many to come out in support of the right of gay people to live openly. It also led to better programs to help those homeless youth, often kicked out of home for being gay, to get help and not have to resort to hustling or fall prey to the streets.
In the late sixties, as America was being torn apart by the assassinations of the 60s and the debate over our involvement in Vietnam it was young people who led the way. In May of 1970 four of those young people lost their lives on the campus of Kent State in Ohio, as National Guard members opened fire on a group of protesters. The country heard their voice and in less than 3 years the United States withdrew from that conflict.
In the 1980s I am proud to say I was part of a movement that challenged our country to stop investing in South Africa which supported the Apartheid government. While there were a diversity of voices that were out there, young people in high school and college educated the public while protesting on campuses, at businesses and to the government.
In every major cultural change movement of my life time, youth voice was there, loud and unafraid of the consequences to themselves by the authorities that stood in the way of change. So to see 100s of thousands of young people march this past weekend in Washington and around the world to help seek solutions to the problem of gun violence and mass shootings is not a surprise. It is a continuation of what I have known to be true my entire career of working with young people. Young people will act when given the opportunity if they have the passion. The school shooting at in Parkland, Florida was the spark because those students, many who have been taught to stand up for what they believe, many supported by parents in their beliefs, gave us a lesson in how to be brave. Attacked by those who share the false narrative that any gun restriction is a violation of the 2nd amendment and an attempt at confiscation, likened to Nazis by those who fear the very conversation about the role of guns in our society, and laughed at by a right-wing noise machine that uses simplistic humor for cheap cheers from their listeners, these students were not stopped. A metaphor played out on Saturday as one speaker vomited from the adrenaline pumping through her, scared to speak to so many, but persisted through and told truth to power.
Movements happen because someone or a small group of someones decide that their goal is worth the effort, the ridicule and the costs. Often those movements are led by people who are looking to the future they want to build. Young people's voice have always been important. If you disagree with these youth, listen to them and answer them where they are wrong. They are able to learn more about the issues. If you agree with them, support them and teach them how to respond with class, information and clear vision. If you choose to just ridicule them, you are risk for being on the wrong side of history. In the words of a 20th century prophet, Mr. David Bowie:
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through.
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