Teen right to speak out

In response to Shannon Edwards, a 17-year-old from Spokane Valley who feels that her generation’s views on politics are ignored: I assure you that you are our country’s future and our only hope. I am sorry that many adults believe they should not discuss politics with their children. In a democracy, we presumably value freedom of speech and respect the rights of individuals, yet many adults refuse to heed their own children.

Thomas Jefferson believed the purpose of education was to prepare students to become citizens in a democracy. What happens to a democracy when we become so immured in our own party politics that we no longer bother to research and discuss? Now that we have elected a president who brags about serial sexual assault, violates our country’s laws and our Constitution, and mocks the very principles on which our country was founded, the need to speak out against injustice and abuse of power is greater than ever.

Thanks to Shannon for speaking out, and may her generation avoid making some of the mistakes that our generation has made. By the time Shannon is old enough to vote, may there be a democracy left for her to uphold.

Donna Potts

Pullman