Rebirth

As a teacher who does not have children of her own I often find myself pushing my students harder to think about topics involving race, gender, sexuality, and religion. Monday I gave my students time to express their concerns involving the shooting in Orlando. Our discussion was in fact deep. Many of my students couldn't wrap their heads around why someone would commit such an act of hate and violence. After the discussion settled I asked my students to write freely about whether or not they believe we have made any gains towards acceptance in the United States over the last 5-10 years.

Our own children know we have not made any gains and are horrified by what is happening on a daily basis in society. A society they are evolving in. Deciding what to do and who to be in the world. As cliche as it sounds, children are our future. They are mimicking what they are told, what they see, and what they learn from others and through social media. Such delicate creatures are looking to everyone in the world now...not just their parents. Every single person is analyzed.

If we can't come together as adults and shape up then why should children try and fix the mistakes that have been made.

Many of the children in the world today are confused and scared. More importantly children are angry and yet we instantly shut them out and tell them they don't understand so they can't make comments about such raw and real topics.

I ask you all as adults to please stop shutting children out and start talking to them. Have conversations with them. Eventually they will need to be able to stomach what is happening in the world and make hard decisions because they will be an adult. They are going to be a voice that others will eventually look up to. If we do not teach them acceptance at the most impressionable stage in life; who will?

The people causing the mistakes could very well be the answer to that question.