Nowadays, adults are not the only ones taking action in politics. Children are taking a stand to fight for what they believe in.
For example, student activists from the Parkland shooting took a stand in the March for Our Lives rally against gun violence. These young teens continued to share their message by connecting with other young activists like themselves. March for Our Lives has now marched in over 50 cities and still continues today to advocate for gun control and “to remind the audience that, as they like to say, the young people will win.”
Just because someone might be under the age of 18 or might have limited knowledge on politics that does not mean they are not able to take a stand. Besides marches, children also have given speeches in regards to making a change. Greta Thunberg is a Swedish activist who has raised awareness of the risks of climate change. She became aware of this problem when she was only eight years old and began school strikes and giving speeches to spread the information about the problem that we as a planet are facing.
In one of her speeches, dated Sept. 23, 2019, Thunberg shares how as a child she should not have to be the one striding towards change. She should not have to push so hard to get a response that the government “understands” the problem. She says that more and more young people are going to see how the government is failing us and how it will change our future.
Thunberg led a Global Climate Strike last Friday, Sept. 20, all over the world. Our very own Oswego State campus participated by marching from Sheldon Hall to the Marano Campus Center lawn. There were speakers, performances and poetry that also took place. Young people all over the world are taking action for different problems.
Children who are taking a stand should not have to continue to beg and nag the government to make a change. Gun control, climate change, and many other issues are very important and everyone should want to solve these problems and make the world better. For the government, it is about money or staying true to past laws and amendments. They do not seem to listen to all the people across the world advocating for a better tomorrow. Children can and will continue to make a difference until the mission for a better world, in every aspect possible, is achieved.
Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian
