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Are we listening?

Our young people are calling us out! Their voices are strong and persistent as they call us to act, instead of hollow words, followed by inaction.

School walkouts and other events locally and across the country this year include calls for respect for each other; willingness to talk with and work with those who have differing ideas or beliefs, no exceptions; inclusion of everyone in the process of change; insistence on a voice in and participation in shaping their future, our future.

Affordable post-secondary education, student debt relief, jobs, health care, school safety, common-sense responsible gun ownership, change in the punitive criminal justice system and reform in immigration are some of the practical, on-the-ground examples of the change they seek.

Change is underway; our youth bring it with them. That is the nature of youth.

Are we listening? Are we truly listening?

Do we respect their voices? Do we believe them? Do we walk with them? Do we believe together we can be the change we want?

As adults we are called to add our experiences and our wisdom to their experiences for our future. My 12-year-old grandson says, “Treat everyone with respect, we are all the same.”

Elaine Tyrie

Spokane



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