55. Teens on why they Walkout

On March 14, 2018, one month after the shooting in Parkland, FL, over 3000 Walkouts took place around the world.  For 17 minutes students walked out of their classrooms to honor the 17 lives that were lost in the brutal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. I have often expressed my personal outrage and frustration with gun violence in this country.  Marches and protests often get criticized in its inability to create change.  I have seen otherwise.  On January 21, 2017 over 5 million people worldwide participated in the Women’s March.  One step at a time, people are making their voices heard and invoking action. This Saturday, March 24, 2018, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets of Washington, DC and over 800 locations worldwide to demand that their lives and safety become a priority.  In the past I have been skeptical on America’s gun control laws ever seeing change.  Today, I chat with kids from different parts of the US, and am inspired by their actions.  I am convinced that they will not give up until the change they demand is made. I am excited to introduce you to some incredible students that I had the honor of interviewing from around the US. They talk to me about why they participated in the National Walkout and their thoughts about the upcoming March for Our Lives.  Please listen to all of the different opinions and reasons on why they support this movement. I learned so much and hope you will too.  I’d like to take a moment to say thank you to the parents of all my interviewees for allowing me to speak with them today. As many of you know, I tend to be cynical about the state of our nation.  I am grateful to these courageous youths for giving me hope, and I proudly stand with them. As a reminder, the views expressed in this podcast are my own and do not influence my position at work or represent the Wah Lum System. If you are as inspired as I am, please share this podcast with everyone you know.  The March for Our Lives is this Saturday. Visit their website if you want to get involved.  If you love this podcast you can help me by donating on my website or on Patreon, I sure would appreciate it!  For comments or questions, please email me at [email protected] or reach out on social media @sifumimichan Now On with the show. At 16, Camryn Kwiatkoski is not only one of our future leaders, but a current one.  Together with two of her friends, she led the student walkout last week at her high school in Pittsburgh.  I was so impressed with her determination and was inspired by our conversation.  Camryn is a dancer and will be performing in her school musical this week, so I am grateful that she took time to talk to me today. Camryn’s Speech at the Walkout   Bryce Hall is 16 years old and lives in Clermont, FL.