I know my silence on this blog is deafening. Trust me, I am working on it. I am finishing up my coursework for my doctoral program over the next few weeks. It involves some pretty heavy lifting in a time when we are living through a global pandemic and massive civil unrest. I support Black Lives Matter. I will say more when I get a chance to write something thoughtful and coherent. In the meantime, take a look at this from Facing History.
I promise I’ll share more soon.
Sometimes, real life is more important than discussing Mrs. Dalloway. And if you knew how I loved that book, you’d know I am really saying something.
I invited my AP Literature and Composition class to discuss gun violence in our country. They have questions. They want to know what we are supposed to do when the fire alarm goes off if mass killers are pulling fire alarms. They want to know why this keeps happening. They want to know why people care more about their guns than they do about people’s lives.
We watched Emma González’s incredible speech, which I can also completely justify on the grounds that it’s an excellent example of the rhetorical triangle at work.
As a side note, how amazing is Emma González? When can I vote for her? She even thanked her teacher for teaching her “everything we learned.” Go, Mr. Foster! I know, I know, how very proud you are.
We signed a card with messages from our AP Lit class to the AP Lit classes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
My students who were eligible registered to vote.
I wish I could express how proud I am of my students. They have thought about this issue. They were pulling up their writing from AP Gov and sharing selections. They know the facts and statistics. Their logic is airtight. They’re going to be marching. They are going to be a part of a revolution.
Incredibly moved by @DelaneyTarr’s speech today. Follow her!
"We've had enough of thoughts and prayers…we are coming after every single one of you and demanding that you take action, demanding that you make a change." #ParklandStudentsSpeak pic.twitter.com/XTkon1ugTV
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 21, 2018
Florida school shooting survivor Cameron Kasky challenges Sen. Marco Rubio: "Can you tell me right now that you will not accept a single donation from the NRA?" https://t.co/LiU42QFBEv #StudentsStandUp https://t.co/p6jlUGFxOs
— CNN (@CNN) February 22, 2018
Really? You followed the damned script to a T. You pumped up millions of kids, for two decades, to believe they and their friends could make a difference. Then you thrust them all into a dystopian nightmare of violence and persecution.
And NOW you're shocked they're all Katniss?
— Patrick S. Tomlinson (@stealthygeek) February 21, 2018
I’m not sure why people are so surprised that the students are rising up—we’ve been feeding them a steady diet of dystopian literature showing teens leading the charge for years. We have told teen girls they are empowered. What, you thought it was fiction? It was preparation.
— Jennifer Ansbach (@JenAnsbach) February 19, 2018
Young people have helped lead all our great movements. How inspiring to see it again in so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe; marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be. We've been waiting for you. And we've got your backs.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 22, 2018
As a Floridian, I hope I get to cast my vote for one of these #StonemanDouglas kids, one day.
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) February 22, 2018
Timely! #BowieForever pic.twitter.com/S8GROQQ8lV
— Iman Abdulmajid (@The_Real_IMAN) February 19, 2018
I admit to a feeling of real despair in my last post. So many Americans, so many children, have died due to senseless gun violence, and people in power do not seem to care. In the days since I wrote that post, however, I am feeling more hopeful. This girl is one major reason why.
If you haven’t heard her amazing speech in its entirety, you need to listen. CNN isn’t allowing me to embed, so head over to their site to watch and come back.
Anyone who works with young people knows they are capable of organizing. I really think that politicians need to watch out. These kids are marching, and soon they’ll be voting, and then they’ll be running for office. My friend Jennifer Ansbach captured this generation well:
I love that people on here doubting that teens are in charge of this movement. I promise you, their SM game is way ahead of yours, even if you have “influencer” in your Twitter bio. Mock them at your own risk. Doubt them at your own risk. I work with teens. They’ve had enough.
— Jennifer Ansbach (@JenAnsbach) February 19, 2018
They know what they’re doing. Again, Jennifer’s tweet captures what many of us who work with teenagers know:
I’m not sure why people are so surprised that the students are rising up—we’ve been feeding them a steady diet of dystopian literature showing teens leading the charge for years. We have told teen girls they are empowered. What, you thought it was fiction? It was preparation.
— Jennifer Ansbach (@JenAnsbach) February 19, 2018
Emma González is not the only one of her classmates to speak out, either. David Hogg. Cameron Kasky. They are speaking out.
The adults had better watch out. These kids have started a revolution.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers—That perches in the soul—And sings the tune without the words—And never stops—at all—Emily Dickinson, Fr. 314
I’ll be marching with them on March 24. Will you?
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