I started writing this post a few weeks ago but it wasn’t until today that I finished it.

Here is how I began . . . . . .

Today is March 14.  Exactly one month from the Parkland school shooting where 17 people, mostly high school students, were shot and killed by the violent actions of a young man who was able to obtain an assault weapon, despite his age and the several warning signs that were manifested prior to the shooting.  This most recent horror in our schools is indicative of the state of our Country, our legislators, and our current moral code.  It is infuriating, horrific, embarrassing, and fully represents the sad state of our nation.  

Then I stopped writing.  I just couldn’t find any words to adequately describe how I was feeling.  All I could do was reiterate the foul and unspeakable nature of events of that day at the Stonemen Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.  Then, of course, I was immediately reminded of Sandy Hook and all the other senseless and evil shootings of the past few years.  I began to, almost obsessively, follow all of the unbelievable politics and fierce activism arising from this most recent school shooting.  But mostly I have spent every day marveling at the intensity of the most powerful organized movement I have ever seen.  The movement that arose from this newest tragedy and that is led by these high school kids, pictured above on the cover of Time.  Nicely done Time Magazine.  👊

This is the rest of my post . . . . .

For the past month, I have watched with admiration as these young adult survivors have taken an unthinkable and horrific experience and created the most profound and inspiring movement our Country has seen in a very long time.  And they have done this during a time that has been nothing short of embarrassing, confusing, hateful, scandalous, idiotic, and violent.  I have watched as these amazing young adults have stepped forward and taken control of their future – and indeed the future of our Country.  To say that they are inspiring is an understatement.  The poise, strength, honor, and intellect they exhibit is amazing.  They have shown more substance, morality, and strength than any legislator, State or Federal.

Their young faces exhibit so much.  All at once they express deep sadness, strength, intelligence, anger, shock and most importantly resolve.  Their eloquent words verbalize all this each time they speak.  They have not only brought the violence that exists in our schools to the forefront of the many issues our Country is faced with but have gone even further to encompass the continued racial bias that we, as humans, cannot seem to eradicate.  They have opened their bleeding arms to embrace the other children and young adults who suffer daily from violent acts while merely living in their schools and backyards.  They have scooped up these other victims of violence and offered a place beside them on their platform so they too can be heard.  This inclusiveness is stunning and something we all should try to emulate.

One of the more disturbing thoughts I have about this is that so far these children – yes, hear clearly that word – children, who are the victims of this senseless violence, have been unable to garner any attention or help from us – the adults who are in charge.  That last phrase is laughable.  “Adults who are in charge”.  I am embarrassed to be swept into that category because I am, of course, an adult in charge as well.  I am in charge of my family and our moral compass.  I am in charge of my own actions.  I am in charge of my ability to speak out, to be involved and try to make a difference.  I am in charge of listening.  And admittedly (and somewhat shamefully) I have not done much of any of that in any real or meaningful way.  I am embarrassed and ashamed that because we – the adults – have been unable to keep them safe, these children are compelled through tragedy to step up and take control.  They are instigating change and it is nothing less than inspiring.

Make no mistake.  These young adults are our present and our future.  They are standing at the gates.  They will not be ignored.  They are not going away and we need to listen carefully to them.  They are making history right now.  As usual, I heard a song the other day – 🙄 – and since then have not been able to stop listening to it.  It almost seems to have been written for these young activists.  Listen to it here:  Legendary, by Welshley Arms.  I think you might agree with me that this should be their theme song.

These young adults are by far the strongest leaders of our time.  They are not tethered to any interest group.  They are smart.  They are passionate.  They are honest.  They are brave.  They are legendary and they are my heroes.  I stand with them.