Listen, the Children are Talking

Despite what I’ve read, heard and witnessed, I have a renewed sense of hope in our nation’s youth. I work in a public high school and today a diverse group of teenangers were sitting outside of my office giving their opinions on our recent election, the state of our economy and our country’s future. This wasn’t a debate or civics class of some sort, just a group of kids talking over their lunch. It was a conversation that rolled over from an online social network, from what I understand. Usually I close my door when students hang around my office but today I decided to leave it open to listen on further with what they had to say. Their questions, comments and responses to one another were very mature and insightful. “This is where it starts,” I thought to myself. “I’m hearing the makings of bona fide movers and shakers of tomorrow—our community & country’s leaders”. I wanted to step outside of the office and pat them all on their backs. Maybe they’ve been listening to their parents and have formed their opinions based what they’ve heard. Maybe they’re repeating the opinions of their teachers. Perhaps they are listening to the news themselves and forming their own opinions, I don’t know. But in an era where our children have so much distraction that has placed a façade on real issues effect our country’s future and our way of life, I am so glad to hear that the issues have penetrated their world enough so that they are talking about it!