Listen to the Children
We the people …
Our founding fathers and mothers dreamed of a society where all could be free to pursue their dreams. The central idea of our young nation is grounded in a phrase, “we, the people.” As a constituent in a society based on what is best for the community as a whole, we as individuals sometimes may be called on to give up our own individual desires, needs, and wants, for what is best for the whole.
My mother used to tell me about her childhood during the Second World War. She, her family, and most Americans had to give up a lot of things, in order for our nation to be able to defend freedom and justice in Europe and the Pacific. Sugar, flour, meat, gasoline, and other products were rationed to civilians, so our troops overseas would have enough to sustain them in battle.
You see, when we are a society whose ideals are greater than any individual’s desires alone, we must sometimes make difficult decisions to do what is best for all. The debate before us now is about perceived rights to own and use certain self-defense tools, which have shown to threaten the security of the whole, and each of us as individuals. Do we as a nation of “WE, the people” merely hold onto these so-called self security objects merely to falsely satiate our own fears?
Yes, all of this debate is complex, but some parts of the solution are easy. I am no politician, but I am a father of a young woman who will one day teach in our classrooms. I want to be assured that she, and all children in this nation, will be able to go to school every single day without fear.
“We the people” have all seen the images on TV of brave children speaking out and being activists. “We the people” have heard from parents whose hearts are broken beyond repair. “We the people” also have heard the messages of our politicians. “We the people”, can no longer be silent. “We the people” must speak about this issue now, and “We the people” must act for change.
Our voices must join with the voices of those who have experienced incredible pain and anguish as a result of all of these tragedies. If we stand together as “We the people” and listen to the children, the path ahead will set the tone for how we live as a nation of brave and loving people, and not a society of fearful and divided individuals.