On Wednesday, thousands of students across the United States—some in grades as early as kindergarten—are participating in a National School Walkout. The protest coincides with Wednesday being one month since the deadly Parkland, Florida high school shooting that left 17 people dead, including 16 students. Two Parkland teens have come up with their own response: Parents Promise to Kids. What is Parents Promise to Kids?
Adam Buchwald and Zach Hibshman, two 16-year-old juniors at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, came up with a powerful idea about advocating for gun reform, particularly when it comes to keeping students, teachers and all kids safe from gun violence, especially in schools. But to pull this off, they’d need parents to sign on—literally. And that’s how Parents Promise to Kids (#PPTK) was born.
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Speaking to The New Yorker, Hibshman described how their idea came to fruition. “Last Friday, we were just, like, ‘Let’s change the world.’” Buchwald added, “Our classmates marched in Tallahassee, which we think is great. But our movement will make a major change in future elections.”
So, the pair came up with the idea of a contract. Buchwald’s father Scott is a lawyer. “I’m just trying to help, as a father,” Scott told The New Yorker. “I’m terrified of guns.”
While many students could face school disciplinary actions for participating in Wednesday’s school walkouts, their efforts are no less important or valid—and are desperately needed. Thankfully, several schools have come out in favor of supporting students who walk out, while some institutions such as Harvard, Yale and MIT have said college applicants won’t be penalized for participating in the National School Walkout.
When students return to classes on Thursday, PPTK offers anyone a chance to create and engage in a lasting dialogue and action when it comes to ending more deaths due to gun violence—of kids, teachers, or otherwise.
Parents Promise to Kids is a literal written commitment from the people who can—and should—do whatever they can to protect kids, no matter what—parents.
Are your kids participating in the National School Walkout? Would you sign a Parents Promise to Kids contract? Share your thoughts in the comments.
—Keiko Zoll
Featured image: Parents Promise to Kids via Instagram
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