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On March 14, 2018, one month after the shooting in Parkland, FL, over 3000 Walkouts took place around the world. For 17 minutes students walked out of their classrooms to honor the 17 lives that were lost in the brutal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
I have often expressed my personal outrage and frustration with gun violence in this country. Marches and protests often get criticized in its inability to create change. I have seen otherwise. On January 21, 2017 over 5 million people worldwide participated in the Women’s March. One step at a time, people are making their voices heard and invoking action.
This Saturday, March 24, 2018, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets of Washington, DC and over 800 locations worldwide to demand that their lives and safety become a priority. In the past I have been skeptical on America’s gun control laws ever seeing change. Today, I chat with kids from different parts of the US, and am inspired by their actions. I am convinced that they will not give up until the change they demand is made.
I am excited to introduce you to some incredible students that I had the honor of interviewing from around the US.
They talk to me about why they participated in the National Walkout and their thoughts about the upcoming March for Our Lives. Please listen to all of the different opinions and reasons on why they support this movement. I learned so much and hope you will too. I’d like to take a moment to say thank you to the parents of all my interviewees for allowing me to speak with them today.
As many of you know, I tend to be cynical about the state of our nation. I am grateful to these courageous youths for giving me hope, and I proudly stand with them.
As a reminder, the views expressed in this podcast are my own and do not influence my position at work or represent the Wah Lum System. If you are as inspired as I am, please share this podcast with everyone you know. The March for Our Lives is this Saturday. Visit their website if you want to get involved. If you love this podcast you can help me by donating on my website or on Patreon, I sure would appreciate it! For comments or questions, please email me at mimi@culturechatpodcast.com or reach out on social media @sifumimichan
Now On with the show.
At 16, Camryn Kwiatkoski is not only one of our future leaders, but a current one. Together with two of her friends, she led the student walkout last week at her high school in Pittsburgh. I was so impressed with her determination and was inspired by our conversation. Camryn is a dancer and will be performing in her school musical this week, so I am grateful that she took time to talk to me today.
Camryn’s Speech at the Walkout
Bryce Hall is 16 years old and lives in Clermont, FL. He hopes to study engineering in college, practices kung fu, and is active in community theatre. He’s also a big fan of comic books and Marvel movies. I was fascinated with Bryce’s strong opinions on our current government and the NRA. Bryce certainly speaks his mind, and I was happy to listen.
Zander Melvin is 14 years old and attends Boone High School in Orlando, Florida. Zander participated in the walkout last week where he sang in the chorus to honor those that were killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Even at 14, Zander shares with me why he feels it is important to participate in the March for Our Lives this Saturday in Orlando, Florida.
Natalia Cruz is 13 years old from East Boston. She is excited to be attending her first march, the March for Our Lives on Saturday. Natalia enjoys art and plays the ukulele. She was born in the USA and her family is from Guatemala and El Salvador. I was sad to hear that her mother was deported when she was a toddler and was never able to return to the US. She is passionate about DACA and is hopeful to do her small part to make a difference because of her personal experiences. I am looking forward to future interviews with dreamers and going more in depth on this subject. For now, meet Natalia Cruz.
IF you enjoyed this conversation, my favor as usual is to please continue to share this podcast with others. It would mean so much if you also rate it and leave me feedback. If you would like to help keep this podcast going and support the work I do, visit my website or Patreon.com/sifumimichan to become a patron of the show.
For comments or suggestions reach out on social media @sifumimichan
Discussed in this episode:
Ban on assault rifles and bump stocks
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Great group of kids! So nice to hear about all of the positive things they are doing. You did a great job of asking them questions and let them tell their stories. I felt like you were having a nice conversation and not an interview.
Thanks for the kind words Angela! I definitely like to have conversations vs interviews. I feel like my guests are more relaxed and makes it nice for listeners to hear them as naturally as possible. I loved all of the chats with this group – definitely one of my favorites!