Pt. 1

This morning I was almost surprised to read on ABB’s blog that Rep. Jane Cunningham dismissed students from her office ,]that were participating in Lobby Day, because she couldn’t stand to look at them. I say almost because I have experienced the ass-backwardness of politicians in this state and others.

The incident reminds me of the “ignorant bumps” and “hatred hurtles” I have faced and overcame to be who I am today, but it also makes me think of what the older generations are doing to the youth.  When I was in high school, the Gay-Straight Alliance and Diversity Group I helped  found became a community platform for a friend’s father running for office. It really stings to have a wannabe elected official tell you at 17 that as a homosexual you are responsible for the spread of AIDS and hold a town hall meeting to figure out how to crush you. I could have just crawled back into myself and left the group and never attempted to be out side of the box again. But I didn’t, not because I wasn’t feeling like the world was against me, but because I knew my principal( who had to constantly fight off rumors of her own homosexuality) and advisor’s believed in what we were doing.

At a time when people’s identities and self-esteem are so fragile the things older people say effect youth in tremendous ways.  I have seen too many of my peers lose all hope in themselves and take their own lives. Sometimes I feel like young leaders are few and far between… But how many more would there be if instead of telling courageous young people that they are disgusting, older people commended them on standing up for what they believe in and encouraging them to continue?

Pt 2.

I firmly believe all children (and adults) should have dreams. Unfortunatly I am realizing that either everyone doesn’t think that or some people don’t have time to make sure their children have dreams because their’s have been unrealized.

I asked my 9yr old cousin what she wanted to be when she grew up and she didn’t have an answer. I guess her not knowing shouldn’t make me feel like the world is going to end..but it does.She is a very bright, beautiful girl.. and I see her future taking a bad turn already ( not just the lack of drection but in missed opportunities and poor parental involvement). Is it her parents? her school? the world?

But I know it is not the world, I work at an organization that helps children find their dreams and voice and then publishes it. I know its not the world because of the work The People Who Could Fly does with young people around the world.  The whole world is not failing our youth, maybe I am failing her by not being around.

Whatever the case is do this for me… make sure you have dreams, make sure the youth have dreams, and make sure to encourage those dreams even if it means they have piercings in their face..