Students at several local high schools staged another walkout, this one on Friday to recognize the anniversary of the Columbine, Colo., school massacre 19 years ago and to call attention to the issues of school safety and gun violence.
The students ran into opposition from some school officials and took some scathing criticism from adults on social media. It should be pointed out that the school officials, understandably, were focused on student safety, and that social media users have every right to criticize the students.
That’s part of being an activist — taking the heat from opponents and paying a price, whether it’s punishment from authorities or social pressure.
The most important lesson for students to learn is that, if you believe strongly enough in a cause, you should be willing to make sacrifices for it. Clearly, some local highschoolers were willing
to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk, as they say. Others, when it came down to it, were not so committed to the causes that generated the walkouts.
There are at least two important lessons to learn here for adults, too.
We should be supportive of students exercising their First Amendment rights. Youth shouldn’t be censored, but should be encouraged to speak freely about political and social topics.
Active Americans who make their voices heard strengthen our democracy. Too many people are timid about expressing their opinions, thereby forfeiting their influence over important public policy.
But it’s not enough just to let students vent. Adults should really, really listen.
While they might lack the years of real-world
experience that can imbue adults with a more nuanced understanding of issues and human nature, youth often see issues with a crystal clarity that eludes older folks.
Instead of rushing to explain why they’re wrong or why it just can’t be done, try just sitting back and attempting to see things from the youths’ point of view. And then engage in an open-minded, honest discussion.
American history shows that change is often fomented by the young.
Think about the civil rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War groundswell — students led the way.
On issues big and small, youth always have something important to say, if we would only listen.