How My World Changed Forever...Again

A/N Never Again-One Year Later

A/N I just had this realization that one year ago today, I walked out of class, and it holds to be one of the best moments of my life thus far.

If you don't want to read this, don't.  If you know this will make you mad because "it's against your beliefs," by all means, don't waste your time.  But don't stay here and hate.  I don't like to get political because it upsets people, but, I said it a year ago and I'll say it again, when will this stop being a political issue and start being a human rights issue?

Every child deserves to feel safe in school, period.

Since Parkland, I've seen people saying everything under the sun:
-"it was faked."
-"kids are just walking out to get out of class."
-"why would students protest in streets outside of their 'weapon free' schools?"
-"liberal teachers are brainwashing kids."
-"districts make their kids walk out to make the news."
-"they just want attention."
-"they're using families' private grieving to make a non-issue a political one."
-"what do they think marching is going to do anyway?"

The fact of the matter is, most of these kids don't have the power of the vote; we can't voice our opinions in a way that really counts because we simply aren't old enough.

In order to get the safety we know we need first hand, we have to take to the streets.  People have been marching on Washington since you could physically own humans!  It's not a new concept people; it's not something "socialists" have brainwashed us to do.

On March 24th, 2018, the largest youth-lead protest since Vietnam.  Let that sink in.

On this day one year ago, students walked out not to cut class but to cause a scene.  Nobody was listening and doing it for us so we had to take matters into our own hands.

One year later, cameras have disappeared and hashtags aren't trending anymore, but there is still a fight to be had.

We cannot do this alone because we don't have the power of the vote.  If you are 18 or will be by 2020 and happen to be reading this, please register to vote.  We need you.  Kids are depending on you because we may be able to cause a scene, but that won't change anything if the public doesn't listen.

The times and culture are changing and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it, but none of that matters if the law doesn't change.

I shared a personal story about my walkout experience last year, so here's another short story on how the times have changed me. 

Since I could speak, I've wanted to teach.  I was never one of those five year olds who changed her career path every hour.  It's in my blood to love learning and love helping others learn.  I absolutely love kids and seeing the light in their eyes when they learn something new.  For the first time in my life, I don't know if I want to teach anymore.

After two more years, I don't know that I will ever want to set foot in a school ever again.

I don't know if I can be responsible for 24 small, fragile lives when I'm feeling unsure of my own.

I want to raise a family, and I want to be there to watch my own kids grow up.

This isn't about money; this is about feeling safe where I end up.

Remember, kids hold the future; we are the future and we will change the path this country is on.

This is the era I grew up in; Columbine three years before I was born; Sandy Hook when I was 10; and Parkland when I was 15.

March 14th, 2018 was a day that changed my life forever; the first time in my life that I realized I can change the course of history; a time of hope in a month of turmoil.

Here a year later, it's hard to look around and see that nothing's changed at all.  It was swept under the rug like every other call to action since 1999.

No matter what happens, the U.S. will always have this dark era in our history books; an era that a lot of other countries will never have to teach their kids about. But maybe, someday #NeverAgain will only be a distant memory to ground us and remind us where we came from. I hope my kids never have to hashtag "never again."

I will be forever grateful to the girls bold enough to register my high school last March.  I wouldn't have had the guts, so I'm glad someone did.

I am thankful to have an administration who made those girls' visions come to life and encouraged student activism (those students who wanted to be involved of course-nothing was forced) instead of stifling it with threats against our academic standings.

We are kids. 
We are here to stay. 
We will put up a fight. 
We are not backing down until we see some change.
We may be young, but we know what we're talking about.
We are the future.
We are kids.

2,850 schools.
One million students.
17 minutes.
365 days later.

March 14th is a day that shouldn't have ever had to happen in the first place.

On this day, take a moment to watch this video and listen to the song.  It makes me cry every time.

Thanks for reading.  Feel free to comment your "one year later" experiences.

Disclaimer: I live no where near Parkland.  I don't even live in Florida.  I just want everyone to understand I'm not trying to claim this tragedy as my own because I will never know the grief they felt.  I, as a public high school attendee, do, however, know what it feels like to fear.

Continue to speak up.  Let your voice be heard.  Don't back down.  And vote 💙

🧡🧡🧡