The “Never Again” movement takes flight
Can kids really push for change and have it work? Why does this country act as if that’s never happened before! One week ago today an armed gunman walked into Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and murdered 17 students and teachers. Since Columbine in 1999 there have been roughly 208 school shootings. So, why is this one different?
Kids. Young adults. Young women and men standing at the crossroads between child and adult. They are as mad as hell and they aren’t going to take it anymore! And the world is watching. Watching to see if this rising of young voices will bring about real change. We are watching and we are in awe! In my lifetime I’ve never seen anything quite like this. However, my own children have never known school without an active shooter drill. But, if we look back in our country’s history, big movements for change happen because young people are as mad as hell. Fifty year old men don’t march on capital steps by the thousands. Their kids do! How many old squares were a part of the 1960s countermovement living in Haight-Ashbury?
These kids are intelligent. They know how far the NRA’s reach is and how they keep the republican coffers full. And they are done. And America should be done right behind them. This shouldn’t be hard. This shouldn’t be political. These kids just get it. This is this generation’s countermovement. The big question that remains is will this generation of lawmakers hear them and heed their call?
That would mean that this inept administration would have to do something it’s never done before: listen and act. My level of optimism that the current administration has half a brain between them is rock bottom. My level of optimism for those kids and the rising tide they bring with them knows no end.
I’m a musician and voice over artist. I’m living blue in a red state. Bless your heart.