By: Emilee Caldera
For years talk of gun control and gun violence has plagued our society. Most of us have just sat back and watched from the sidelines. The recent events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas seem to have ignited a call for change. Maybe it’s because such tragic events took place on a day that’s supposed to spread love, friendship, and joy. Maybe it’s because the gunman was a disturbed teenager that made several cries for help. Maybe it’s because the school that experienced such a horrific event was in a so-called “safe” neighborhood. Maybe it’s because it was a little too close to home for us to ignore. Too close to pretend that it can’t happen to us and that it’s “just another school shooting.”
The real question is…who cares? Who cares why this time it’s different? Who cares why it took a tragedy to bring change? Who cares that we’re just a bunch of “crisis actors?” Who cares that our own President can only “send his thoughts and prayers?” The real issue is that no student should have to look up from a textbook and face the inside of the barrel of an AR-15. It is officially time for change and we are proud to see the majority of our student body standing up for what they feel is right. Just watch us make this right. Watch us as we stand together and peacefully protest. Watch us show respect and solidarity. Watch us make them listen.
Two hundred years ago, our founding fathers granted us the right to bear arms, but they probably did not foresee the advancements in technology that would take place, and the leverage that right would give in terms of causing mass destruction. As semi-automatic weapons continue to be sold, society is continuously digging a bigger grave for the future victims of gun violence.
This generation has previously been deemed as lazy, entitled, and most importantly politically uninterested. Recently we have been proving to adults nationwide that they have incorrectly judged us. The continuous efforts made by students has opened the eyes of powerful political figures all over the states. Just yesterday, we had a respectable demonstration here at Braddock.
The nation’s caretakers have been avoiding the obvious gun control issue for so long, and the children who they chose to belittle and ignore are now stepping up to the plate and giving these issues the attention that they need. So, for those that say we aren’t wise enough to know about politics… in the famous words of Emma Gonzalez, “WE CALL BS.” Watch us change the face of politics.
The Watchdog 