You’ve probably noticed the anomaly of American leadership these days. We’re governed mostly by gray-haired white men like me, some forward-thinking, but many of them determined to ignore the inequality and coming environmental catastrophes looming before us, and continuing to cling to privilege, prejudice and false patriotism. On the other hand, never have young Americans been so mobilized, so knowledgeable and so determined to set things right. Much of this is coming from activists who are even too young to vote.
I think I noticed it first with the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Led by the remarkably mature and eloquent Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg, these young people were clear that the lives of their classmates, brutally murdered by a crazed teenage gunman with access to semi-automatic weaponry, should not be lost in vain. With a little help from adults, they mobilized thousands of fellow high schoolers across the country to demand sensible gun legislation. For their efforts, they have been castigated by the NRA and its supporting cast of dinosaurs and bullies. But nevertheless, they have “persisted” as was said of Elizabeth Warren when she challenged the gag order given to her by Mitch McConnell. In some states, their efforts have produced impressive results. Their courage should inspire all of us.
Then, there are the young people who’ve filed suit against the government to force it to recognize their right to a future. As Vox describes it: “The Juliana v. United States lawsuit, filed by 21 young plaintiffs, is currently going through pre-trial appeals at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral arguments are expected in the first week of June. The suit alleges that not only did the federal government fail to act to limit climate change, it profited off of selling coal, oil, and gas rights. The government encouraged mining and drilling while knowing full well the hazards caused by burning these fuels, namely climate change. In so doing, the government has deprived the plaintiffs — the youngest is 11 years old — the right to a safe and stable climate system.”
These kids are still going strong three years into their suit. At least one court has agreed with them and even the Supreme Court has not stopped the case from going forward as the Trump administration wanted. It’s likely that this suit will fail in the high court in the end, but we must tip our hats to
AND THE CHILDREN (OR YOUNG ADULTS) SHALL LEAD US
John de Graaf
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6