On the surface, the March For Our Lives is about gun control. But beneath the politics lies a deeper issue that portends the possibility for a more radical revolution to our cultural standards. The radical revolution is a stand for self-worth.
March For Our Lives
Tomorrow, school kids, their families, and other concerned citizens will take to the streets in Washington and in cities across the country as part of the March For Our Lives. This is an effort started by a group of high school kids who decided to take a stand.
This march was organized by high school kids who decided they have had enough with feeling unsafe at school. They are unwilling to tolerate the status quo any longer.
They decided that they are “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.” Something needs to change. And they are tired of waiting for the people “in charge” to change it. So they are taking action into their own hands (and feet).
Their lives are at risk, and that is not ok.
So they are taking a stand.
For themselves, for the students in schools who get less attention, for our country, and for the future. Their future.
Beware of Dismissing Kids
“Kids,” by the way, is their word. They lost their ability to be kids the moment a shooter invaded their school and mowed down 14 of their classmates and 3 adults. In an instant, the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were stripped childhood innocence.
Those who would write them off as just a bunch of naive kids are missing the bigger picture. They may not be old enough to vote — yet — but they are determined and focused enough to mobilize. Their ability to organize this march, keep their story in the news, and deftly handle media attention — all while processing their grief — is far from child’s play.
When You Incite Change, Expect Push-Back
Some people are pushing back against these students. Journalists. Politicians. Cynics. People who feel threatened by what might change, or who have seen attempts to create change fail in the past.
This is expected. People in the establishment fear those who take a stand for change, because change threatens their power and authority.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a stand. It means you need to steel your strength for the fight.
Creating lasting change is a process that happens over a long period of time.
The Hidden Revolution in the March For Our Lives
Beneath the surface issue that will be the topic of tomorrow’s March For Our Lives is an even more radical revolution in the making. In a culture that tries to tell us that we are worthy only if we meet certain criteria, these students are pushing back and declaring:
We deserve to be heard. Not because we can vote, or because of our great accomplishments, or because we have deep pockets to influence political decisions. Our lives are worth fighting for, merely because we exist.
We can learn a lot from the students about what it takes to stand your ground.
Courage. Persistence. Grit. Determination. Resilience. Strength. Humor. Compassion. Empathy.
More important, we can learn from these kids that each of us has inherent worth as a human being, and that our lives our worth fighting for.
What About You?
How do you march for your life?
Where do you take a stand in your life?
How do you take a stand for your life?
Please share in the comments.
Photo Credit: Roya Ann Miller on Unsplash
Love it? Hate it? What do you think? Don't hold back...