We’ve got so much time for
THE WALKOUT KIDS
Groaning as you sit down, staring in the mirror and seeing your mother’s reflection – there are plenty of rites of passage to ageing. But now the ‘despairing of younger generations and saying you did it better’ one can be no more.
Last Wednesday, American children took on a battle that powerful politicians, gobby celebrities and rich lobbyists have failed at for decades.
Students from around 3,000 schools across the US (who have been brought up doing what we would consider unthinkable – performing drills in case a mass shooter entered their school) staged powerful protests as part of The National Student Walkout. Another is planned on 24 March.
This protest marked the one-month anniversary of the Parkland, Florida shooting and lasted 17 minutes – one for each pupil who died. With the tagline #Enoughisenough, these inspiring kids paid the best tribute possible to their peers by calling for lawmakers to pass gun reform legislation.
It’s easy to be pessimistic about the future, especially in the current political climate – and standing up for what you believe in is tougher than wallowing in fury. Luckily, this week, the walkout kids showed that it is possible, and worthwhile.
The pictures from the march, showing tears, defiance and promise, were powerful – and, we hope, will make a real change. Power to the youth.