Amanda Lamb: 17 minutes
We should be able to spare 17 minutes to let young people express themselves without fear of personal attacks from adults who should know better. Teenagers need our support, not our criticism and judgment.
Posted — UpdatedWhen did it become acceptable for adults to bully children? It’s happening, and in my opinion, a society that allows this means we are basically one step above cavemen.
Everyone knows that civil discourse is rapidly disappearing from daily American life. Spend a few minutes on social media, and this view is rapidly reinforced. It’s one thing to negatively engage with other adults, it's another thing to attack our youth.
I interviewed several very thoughtful students who talked about how profound it was to honor the students killed in Florida. They talked about really listening to the concerns and feelings of their fellow students, and even if they disagreed, respecting their views. They talked about how important it was to them that adults, and especially the administration at their school, allowed them to have a voice. They were diplomatic and mature in their measured responses to what has become an incendiary topic.
Yet, when I looked at the comments on social media regarding our coverage, I was frankly appalled and embarrassed to see adults making personal attacks on the teens, attacks that had nothing to do with the content of what they were speaking about. As a parent, as a journalist, and honestly, as a human being, this made me feel so hopeless about where we are in this moment in history.
How low are we going to sink?
Like your mama said, if you’re going to pick on someone, pick on someone your own age — leave the kids alone.
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