#stonemanstrong

Something a bit more serious--I want this piece to highlight the bravery of the kids from Stoneman Douglas who have been speaking out against gun violence and the laws that allow for it, especially when many try to discourage them from doing so because of their age.

The survivors of the Stoneman Douglas H.S shooting in Florida using their voices to end gun violence and mass shootings in America are so inspirational. 

I stand in solidarity with my peers. 

No teenager should have to beg Congress to regulate guns for the safety of the general public. These kids want to be able to go to school and get the education they’re there for WITHOUT having to worry about school shootings. 

How many more children and innocent bystanders have to die before some regulation occurs? This shouldn’t even be up for debate.

These kids are the future, they are inspiring and they are unstoppable. Their movement will go down in history and trust me, you’ll want to be on the right side of the story. 

Rest in Power to the 17 innocent lives taken away too soon. You did not die in vain, your deaths mean so much more and have sparked a movement that honours you.

Please follow these kids on their respective social media accounts! Join their movement! Actively engage in educating others about their movement it is so important! Folow them and fight with them.

SOCIAL MEDIAS

Twitter

@NeverAgainMSD 

@AMarch4OurLives

@cameron_kasky

@sarahchad_

@Emma4Change

@AAlhanti

@davidhogg111

@al3xw1nd

WEBSITE

marchforourlives.com 

I've seen so many people try and deflect away from the fact that we have a) a major problem with gun access in general and b) toxic white masculinity which, when threatened in some evil individuals, leads to mass shootings. These people try to blame these shootings on mental health or bullying.

But this is not a mental health problem. Other countries have mental illness rates just as high or higher compared with the U.S., and many struggle seriously with adequate treatment. They don't have mass shootings, because they do have gun control. Those with serious mental illness are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. Many violent criminals have personality disorders, but these aren't easily treated in mental health care systems of any kind.

Bullying is an ongoing problem in U.S. schools, to be certain. But the students bullied the most are not the ones committing the shootings. Trans students, female students, Disabled students, obese students, students with Autism, and students with mental illness are the most likely to face bullying. But nearly all school shooters fit a chillingly specific profile: White, male, able-bodied, openly straight.

What does this mean? It means that we've created a society where some (not all) white males have been conditioned to believe they are owed nearly everything -- steady work, a romantic relationship, good grades, friendships -- that Trans students, girls, Disabled students, students of color, and others don't take for granted. When these over-privileged white males (who feel victimized, not privileged) perceive that they have been wronged or robbed by society or school, a small percentage snap. Access to toxic internet hives of discussion where their views are reinforced radicalizes them further. Unfettered access to the tools of destruction they believe are "manly" is easy in America, and this small group responds to the perceived injustice in the way they believe exacts proper revenge and gives them what they have "earned" -- they commit a mass shooting.

This is not a mental health issue. This is not a bullying issue. I just watched a freshman student from Stoneman Douglas -- a young man of color with dwarfism -- articulately read the names of his murdered fellow students and quote Michael Jackson. He was cheered on by his classmates as he urged the receptive crowd to hug their neighbors. And that boy, who has undoubtedly faced some bullying in his life, responded to the unfathomable violence at his school with a calm, collected request for compassion.

This is not about mental health, or "walking up instead of walking out." This is about access to guns. Period. The time has come. We need national gun control laws in America, and we need them now.

Vote. Vote, vote, vote. Vote out the lawmakers who are beholden to heartless groups like the NRA. Vote in lawmakers dedicated to common sense gun reform. Donate to advocacy groups. Give your time to help register voters and educate people ahead of the election. Volunteer in a campaign.