It is an age of disillusion, of confusion, of dismay with our institutions, of distress over our Constitution. A time when freedoms are being hollowed out, when death is being meted out, when good intention has seemingly evaporated and love for our fellow man teeters on the brink of extinction. It has been, in so many ways on so many days the worst of times.
But then there was yesterday, when we announced we would no longer be frightened, when our steps lightened, our eyes brightened. Our resolve manifest, our destiny in our hands, our future no longer a dark shadow on the horizon.
As the youth of this country introduced themselves to us, we were amazed by their poise, by their purity of purpose and commitment to cause. In their voices we found the hope that had disappeared, the strength that had been sapped from our weary bodies, the focus that seemed out of our reach.
We owe those who have brought us so low a debt of gratitude. We thank them for allowing us to see what a better tomorrow looks like, what it sounds like, what it feels like. We thank them for awakening the passion and promise of the next generation. We thank them for making us understand that today is not forever.
It was, in so many ways, on this one day, the best of times.
10 comments:
you're absolutely right hope the powers that be will take it seriously lois
So true!
We marched in New York yesterday!
An experience that in a time of such uncertainty and sorrow was uplifting and indeed memorable And Hopefully will bring the needed changes
LB
Well said.
H
BELOW IS A COMMENT FROM HENRY LOWENSTEIN (A PEN PAL) WHO IS AUTHOR OF MORE THAN 150 PUBLISHED LETTERS IN THE NEW YORK TIMES
The sight of the diminutive Emma Gonzalez, calling for this period of silence, with tears streaming down her face, was the most stunning and incredible outpouring of emotion, in a truly remarkable event in American history. It evoked memories of Jacqueline Kennedy whispering to her toddler son as JFK’s flag-draped casket went by in December of 1963, and the little boy standing at attention and saluting his dead father. After the election of Donald Trump in 2016, I and many like me feared that our democracy would not survive Trumpism. But today, my faith in our nation and our democracy has been restored. These young people, by the millions all over the country and around the world, convinced me beyond any doubt, that this republic created some 240 years ago will endure even the presidency of Mr. Trump. It is not even a question of whether Robert Mueller nails Trump for collusion or obstruction of justice, but rather that these young people, their parents, and friends, will go to the polls this November and throw out all the Republicans who have been cowed by the N.R.A. into doing nothing to change gun laws in our nation. I wept at the speeches, so eloquently given by the friends of the 17 dead in Parkland, at their courage, their defiance, and their commitment to see that another Parkland will not happen again. I stand with this generation of activists, who are truly fighting for their lives, the lives of every school age child, and for their inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I stand with Emma!
Henry A. Lowenstein
Robert - So well said, much hope for tomorrow. Your words were on target and poetic.
Helen
the youth is needed to vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FCL
So powerful!
MA
Excellent piece! It did awaken hope!
MLS
Well said.
FCL
Thank you so much for sharing this powerful and poignant piece. You are so right, the young generation is speaking out with eloquence and passion and it is hopeful and uplifting in these trying times.
Beautifully said!
PB
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