So far, there have been 18 school shootings in 2018. The most recent in Parkland, Florida, which resulted in the death of 17 people. These mass shootings have been happening for years, and still no effective change has been made. Students continue to die. Because of this blatant failure by our government to pass effective gun control that can and will protect us, more and more students are paying attention, and becoming civically active. When it becomes a risk simply to walk on campus, a rise in this kind of student-led political activity makes sense.
A student movement under the hashtag “#NeverAgain” has been growing exponentially since the Parkland shootings. Students from Parkland have organized nationwide marches, walk outs, and raised millions of dollars for their cause in a matter of days. They are pledging to not rest until the representatives in Congress that are bought by the NRA are voted out.
This sort of movement usually marks a turning point in one way or another. Student activism has been around since universities were established, as early as the 13th century. As evidenced by the earliest student movements in America during the ‘20’s at largely black universities, to the anti-war and civil rights movements of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, students have proven they have the power to enact real change.
As students in Sacramento–one of the most diverse cities in the country–we have a special privilege and opportunity to get involved. With the state’s capital at our doorstep, we have the ability to easily participate civically. It is no secret that there are plenty of wonderful organizations that are youth oriented within the city and geared toward making progressive change in the community and in the political sphere.
Still, it may seem difficult to find a starting point, or to even begin getting involved. Alternatively, many people are too busy to dedicate large amounts of their time to this sort of work. But there are small, easy ways to get involved and be a part, if only a small part, in making change.
Ms. Lori Jablonski, an AP Government teacher who requires students to participate civically for credit, says, “They [students] can show up to events, that’s the easiest thing.” she suggests, “So that’s the first thing, I think taking it forward beyond that… I think there are things they can do, to push our school board, for example.”
Jablonski also mentioned an even simpler way for students to get involved, “Students can also make change at a very basic level, they must register to vote and they have to vote. Because election matter. And the NRA has understood that for years, that elections matter.”
You don’t need to march on Washington, you don’t need to go to weekly meetings, you just need to be 16 or 17 and have access to the internet. Registering to vote takes maybe 10 minutes. It’s easy, and it’s important. The best way to create the change we want to see is through our elected officials.
Right now, our elected officials are not doing what the majority of the country wants them to do. According to a February 11th poll, Congress’ approval rating has dropped to only 11%, only 2% higher than the all time low of 9%. Now is the time to act, to vote, and to elect a congress that can represent the whole of the country, not 11% of the country.
These methods may seem small, maybe even pointless. Making real change does not seem possible. But students around the country right now seem to be beginning to do the impossible.
“I do think that students can make effective change. It’s hard to write a prescription for it, but especially right now we’re seeing the opening is there, and I think the students in Florida get that, and they see the opening and they’re running through it. And they know that this is the moment, and they’re using their voice in a way that continues to impress me everyday. So I absolutely do think that, and the fact that we’re talking about this shows that students can effect change,” added Jablonski.