There may be an age requirement for driving and voting, but there isn’t one for having an informed opinion — and with good reason.

In the wake of the February shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 dead and more than a dozen injured, many Parkland students have spoken up to both encourage and call out politicians to enact stronger gun control legislation. These students have taken control of their narratives by speaking on news shows and publishing op-eds. And while many have praised the students for their activism, others have denounced their opinions, saying they’re too young to be taken seriously.

The reality is young people are equally affected by these laws and policies, which have been put in place by adults without their consent. Students are taking back the power, though, and some from Parkland helped organize the March for Our Lives, an anti-gun violence demonstration that will be held Saturday in Washington, D.C.

Satellite marches will be held in cities across the United States, including Syracuse. Aishwarya Varakantam, a student at the Syracuse prep school Christian Brothers Academy, is one organizer of the satellite march that will be held at the Everson Museum of Art on Saturday.

“We started this march to encourage stricter gun laws,” Varakantam said. “The most recent school shootings have had gunmen who were young and could easily go and purchase an assault [weapon] … If so many of us are coming together and want to see the same change, I think the government will be receptive.”

It’s not a new trend for young people to get involved in protests, but the Parkland shooting has put politically active students — some who aren’t old enough to vote — in the limelight. Some are even becoming leaders in the gun control movement, and colleges are noticing.

Amid nationwide student walkouts and other gun violence protests that followed the Florida shooting, Syracuse University joined other institutions and stood by the students, tweeting: “Admissions decisions will not be affected by participation in or disciplinary action associated with peaceful, meaningful protest.”

This public assurance is important, especially today, when being silent on controversial issues just isn’t an option. This applies to high school  and college students who will soon enter the workforce. Although there are universities to apply to and jobs to interview for, students shouldn’t have to fear that political involvement will affect their futures.

Of course, it’s always important to have an informed opinion. Research and fact-checking must transcend age groups — public claims must be backed up by evidence.This goes for politicians and teenagers alike.

Being a young activist is difficult, because you have to prove your credibility and worth, and you have to get past the people who say “you’re just a kid.” This scrutiny is why young people need support more than ever.

Whether it’s the threat of school suspension, or a simple social media post that garners a hoard of negatives responses, speaking out isn’t easy. But students should be commended for being vocal when adults can’t — or won’t — find the courage to do it themselves.

Rashika Jaipuriar is a junior broadcast and digital journalism and civic engagement dual major. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at rjaipuri@syr.edu and followed on Twitter @rashikajpr.

Published on March 21, 2018 at 10:23 pm