Standing Up for Something

"If I were to remain silent I would be guilty of complicity."

Albert Einstein 

Earlier this school year during one of our Celebrate Monday discussions, my eighth graders and I were reflecting about the recently released movie Marshall. We talked about the struggles that Thurgood Marshall faced as an NAACP lawyer, and his eventual rise to becoming the first African American Supreme Court Justice. We talked about the challenges that he and his clients consistently faced while standing up for their civil rights. After the discussion I played the powerful Oscar nominated song from Andra Day, "Stand Up for Something" that is part of the movie soundtrack. When the song concluded I asked students what they were willing to "stand up" for. Their answers were similar, sharing that they would stand up for their families and friends. I shared with strong conviction that I would stand up for my family, my friends, and my students.  I took the opportunity once again to emphasize that I believed in them and was there to support them.

Immediately following the recent school shootings in Parkland Florida, students have elevated their voices. They have organized rallies at the local and national level in an effort to condemn school violence. Moreover they have put the blame squarely in the hands of the lawmakers as a result of their failure of to pass rigid gun control laws. Their mantra is loud and clear, " thoughts and prayers are not enough", action is needed.  Those who can vote in the next election have vowed to vote out leaders who fail to pursue legislation to create gun law reform. They may have been victims in Parkland of unimaginable school violence but they are taking full advantage of their opportunity to "stand up", and speak out. 

On Wednesday, March 14 to support the students of Parkland Florida, High School and Middle School students held a national walkout in protest of school violence. For 17 minutes to honor the victims of the shooting in Parkland, students held walkouts or sit ins at districts throughout the nation which primarily were supported by their administrators.  At my middle school in Robbinsville New Jersey, students in grades 5-8 organized in the gym and the cafeteria for 17 minutes. Supervised rooms were respectfully provided for those students who decided not to participate in the protest.

 While in both venues, students listened as student leaders supported by staff and building administrators spoke passionately about their disdain for school violence. Some even spoke about the need for immediate gun control and the benefits that it would bring. On this day our students were attentive and well behaved and made the school and surrounding community proud. On this day our students and students around the country had a chance to Stand Up For Something that directly impacted them and many of them did.

Our nation has been built on the foundation of revolution and reform. If we are to continue to grow and prosper, we as the current gatekeepers of democracy must encourage, guide and support the civil disobedience of our younger generations.  We must encourage them to engage in civil discourse and challenge social injustice.  Anything less neglects to protect the democratic society that they are set to inherit as adult citizens.