Step Aside Adults
They tell me that I’m naive.
That I’m stupid in the ways of the world.
They tell me, that because I’m thirteen, I don’t know what I’m doing.
They tell me that I’m ignorant.
They don’t know the things I know.
They haven’t seen the things I’ve seen.
They haven’t felt the things I’ve felt.
I have all the information in the world in my hand or tucked away in my pocket.
They don’t know I’m scared. I shouldn’t be scared. I should be able to walk into my school without feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me, thinking that maybe my school is next. Thinking that me or my friends might not make it out alive. They tell us school is a safe place. If it’s so safe, why have there been so many shootings? Why have there been so many deaths?
They don’t know I’m strong. They think because I’m young, I’m weak. After all, wisdom comes with age doesn’t it? I shouldn’t have to be fixing the adults mistakes. When you leave this world, it’s up to us. And you’re leaving this world in chaos. In fear. In terror. Why? Because you want to keep a chunk of metal? Because you’re so attached to that thing, that you’re willing to let innocent lives die over it?
They don’t know know anything. I shouldn’t have these words together at my disposal. I shouldn’t be reprimanded adults! If wisdom comes with age, that you should be the wisest. What is wrong with you? The fact that a thirteen year old child can see the wrongs in America should be enough for you to think and change! We’ve marched, we’ve protested, we’ve signed petitions and yet you still remain oblivious. So now I ask you, America. Are the lives of Scott Beigel, Alyssa Alhadeff, Martin Duque Anguiano, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jaime Guttenberg, Christopher Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alex Schachter, Carmen Schentrup and Peter Wang worthless to you? These were people who had their whole lives ahead of them. Some were planning to go to college. Some were cleaning up after Hurricanes and donating and playing sports and earning scholarships. And you know what they’re doing now? Paying the price for something they shouldn’t have to pay the price for. These people had families. They were loved and respected. And your stupid guns ripped them away from the life they had. Do you feel good? Maybe, you’re thinking that I don’t have the right to be mad. And maybe you’re right. But after seeing so many bomb threats come to my school and so many ALICE drills, I think I have the right to be mad. Or maybe, you’re thinking I’m too young to be an activist. To those I say, if you aren’t getting the job done then it’s my turn. No, it’s our turn. You adults want to turn your back on us? Fine. The revolution is coming and the fire within burns bright. So talk down to us, make us feel like our opinions mean nothing. In the end, you’re the one going down. We’ll fix this country with or without the approval of you adults. Our voices have been silent for long enough. This time, we’ll speak up for what we think is right. Because it’s our turn.