The young gun protesters are inspiring, but we can't leave it to them

Jessica Valenti
Updated

There’s no reason our children should need to protest to essentially beg for safety. We’re the adults. Let’s do something

Students at Roosevelt high school take part in a protest against gun violence Wednesday in Seattle, Washington.
Students at Roosevelt high school take part in a protest against gun violence Wednesday in Seattle, Washington. Photograph: Manuel Valdes/AP

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The kids are alright. Young people protesting gun violence participated in a national walkout this Wednesday, giving some of us old folks the hope we haven’t been feeling in some time. Their signs were amazing, their actions inspiring and they reminded us that no matter how much conservatives want to paint young activists as silly or underwhelming – they are anything but.

All I can hope is that the adults who were touched watching kids as young as seven march out of school will take that admiration and put it to good use. There’s no reason that our children should have to protest to essentially beg for their lives and safety. We’re the adults, we’re the people who need to be creating change. So let’s take our cues from the young activists among us and stand up to do something.

Glass half-full

Despite scare tactics from the right, abortion in the United States is an extraordinarily safe procedure – and this new study says as much (again).

What I’m RTing

Who I’m reading

Melissa Harris-Perry urging those applauding Parkland students to think about why young activists of color have gone ignored for so long; Grace Bonney, one of my favorite design writers, in defense of trends; and the dos and don’ts from Columbia Journalism Review on conducting interviews with kids.

Who I’m talking to

The incredible Michael Twitty was just nominated for a James Beard award for his book, The Cooking Gene. Watch the conversation I had with him about his book and the politics of food, race and history.

How outraged I am

We’re at the point where conservatives are mocking teenage activists for their appearance, so I’m a solid eight out of ten.

How I’m making it through this week

This girl’s sign is making my month, not just week.