Do not underestimate or diminish the voice of young people.
Do not box them in as immature and clueless.
Do not limit what they are capable of and the influence they may have.
People who ridicule young people for voicing their opinions usually have not found their own voice yet and most likely cannot fathom someone younger than they are being so passionate and purpose driven.
Do not tell me that great things cannot happen at their age.
Remember, David was only a teenager when he fought Goliath and won.
Joan of Arc was 18 when she led the French army to victory.
Alexander the Great was 18 when he conquered countries.
Louis Braille was 15 when he created the Braille language for the blind.
Barbara Johns was 16 when she initiated a student strike for better resources and equality for her school causing the Supreme Court to use her case as evidence that segregated schools were unconstitutional.
Malala Yousafzai was 17 when she became the youngest recipient of the Noble Peace Prize.
In every era and generation there have been young people that have raised their voices and made a change.
Today is no different.
Let them be passionate.
Let them speak.
Let them fight for what they believe in.
Let them influence other kids to do the same.
Let them be the change we need in this world.
Young people are very capable of influencing society and changing history… they have already done so in the past, today is no exception!
