In the summer 2018 issue of Fast Company, the magazine names the 100 most creative people in business.  Numbers 1-5 are the five teens who cofounded the non-profit March for Our Lives after they survived the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.  They are Jaclyn Corin, Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, Cameron Kasky, and Alex Wind.  They are tough, resilient, and determined to make a difference for all students and other victims of gun violence.

I am a public school teacher, and it breaks my heart to think of what these young people and other victims of gun violence, such as the parents of the children who died at Sandy Hook Elementary, have been through.  It makes me hopeful when I see these young people working to register young voters and to bring about change.

In education, we talk often about the importance of agency.  Agency is the belief that our thoughts and actions can shape our experiences and the direction of our lives.  We have to believe that it is possible to accomplish something before we can actually do it.

On February 17, 2018, just a few days after the shooting at her school,  Emma Gonzalez gave a speech that was eloquent and beautiful, but painful to watch.  There is a line that really goes to the heart of the movement that these young people are beginning:

“Every single person up here today, all these people should be home grieving.  But instead we are up here standing together because if all our government and President can do is send thoughts and prayers, then it’s time for victims to be the change that we need to see.”

In my opinion, these young people are taking an approach that is constructive and positive. Despite being met with hostility, they are trying to engage and show empathy to those who see things differently.  How can there possibly be a downside in encouraging young people to vote?