We are the generation that has not experienced a day of school before Columbine. We are too young to remember the world before 9/11. We grew up during the presidency of Barack Obama and now are becoming adults during the presidency of Donald Trump. Historically, teenagers and young adults have been politically apathetic; however, we have grown up in a world where not being politically knowledgeable is almost impossible. We are confronted by political issues on almost every platform with the ubiquity of social media and the immediacy of news. It is the opinion of The Omniscient staff that teenagers should not only be informed on political and social issues, but they should be activists for matters they believe in.
In recent weeks, there has been a surge in teenage activism across the country; however, many adults question the validity of teenagers’ opinions on such issues. Student-led movements such as the national school walkout and March for Our Lives have empowered teenagers to speak up and encouraged them to recognize the importance of their voices. Many kids hold opinions on issues, but do not know how to use their voice to make a difference. A very important way that teenagers can make their voices heard is by voting. Although many students are not yet old enough to vote, they can still pre-register to vote and advocate for candidates who they believe will represent them. Another way kids can be involved in issues they care about or wish to change is by contacting their representatives and urging them to take action.
It is essential for teenagers to be involved, because current issues such as gun violence directly affect their lives. The teenagers of today will be the leaders of tomorrow, and it is important to recognize that their voices matter as it is their future at stake.