A column on passing along the need for political activism to the next generation.
This is something I wrote a few days ago and have gotten some good feedback on it from a lot of people so I thought I'd share it here as well.
Today (July 8th) my wife and our 14 year old son, Chris, are going to the “Moral Monday” protest in Raleigh at the General Assembly to protest the numerous regressive and extreme bills being passed by our GOP-Dominated Legislature.
I’m especially excited for him; as it’s the first real taste of what it’s like to be part of a political movement to enact change (or demand the reversal of it). He’s going to experience what it’s like to be one in a sea of thousands making an important statement. Thousands demanding to be heard on local and State political issues.
His Mom and I weren’t politically active until 2008. Sure we had our opinions on things but we’d never gotten active in the political process before. Not taken the time to go vote. As we awoke from our slumber that year we, as we always have, shared our thoughts with our son. He’s never been a master of common sense but always shown a maturity beyond his years so we’ve never shielded him. This being the child who took it upon himself to decide to collect money for UNICEF after the devastating Tsunami of 2004.
During the Presidential Campaign in 2008, Chris wanted to be part of it so he setup a drink stand at a precinct fundraiser. It was a small effort and we were all new to being “activists” for a political cause but we could tell it was special to him to be able to be part of it.
We always end up talking about either politics or religion in those moments when we have the chance; such as while taking him to school, or to Boy Scout meetings. I’ve always stressed to him that in both arenas; my job is to give him my thoughts and to make sure he knows that it’s his job to make up his own mind. Never take anyone’s word, never trust only one source, and always form your own educated opinion.
Living in such an apathetic society; I’ve learned over these last few years that we owe it to the next generation to inform them and encourage them to take an active role in our society; and our politics. I grew up not having learned much at all about how our government worked, and I know that the kids today aren’t learning near enough in school about the process. Parents must take the lead on this just as they should on many other roles when it comes to our children’s “real world” educational needs.
In the last couple of years, Chris found that certain issues “hit home” to him more than others. First was when there was discussion over closing his Middle School, York-Chester, among others. He was ready to stage a protest in the courtyard of the school, his own version of the “Occupy” protests. Instead, we helped him by setting up an online petition that eventually had over 300 signatures, and a Facebook Group and website to help inform others why the schools should remain open. My wife spoke out at Commissioners meetings against their closings.
Shortly thereafter, Chris found out about “fracking” and that NC legislators were considering allowing this to be done here in NC. He researched the effects of this environmentally in places such as NE Texas and read reports of how our water supply could be harmed. I explained to him the politics behind this from the oil companies and the issues regarding landowner rights among other things and he was, and remains, outraged.
So, this brings us back to the present day. He’s taking another step. As he grows up and our influence on him wanes, I can rest assured that the foundation of activism we’ve established in him will remain. It’s his generation that fuels my own activism. I don’t have to look any further than him to understand that as disheartening as day-to-day current events may be; and as furious as I may get over what’s happening right now in Raleigh and in D.C., I can have hope that we’ve done our small part to hand our Republic over to a generation that will move our Country forward. I’ve never been more proud.
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