National Walkout Day: Walk Out or Walk Up? Where Do You Stand? by Renee

Headlines Opinion
6 years ago

National Walkout Day: Walk Out or Walk Up? Where Do You Stand?

One month after the tragic shooting in Parkland, Fla., students across the country are planning walkouts to demand an end to gun violence. Thousands of students plan to walk out of classrooms at 10 a.m. for 17 minutes to honor the 17 killed in the attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and to make a nationwide appeal for changes in gun legislation. Many school districts have made specific plans to accommodate the demonstrations and others have warned that disciplinary actions will be taken if they disrupt classes with the protest.

On the flip side, some students, parents and educators are proposing an alternative: Walk Up Not Out. “Walk Up Not Out” proponents say students should try harder to reach out with friendliness and compassion to their more solitary peers, those who may be excluded, overlooked, even bullied. By moving out of their comfort zones and helping their peers feel more welcome, students could potentially head off an outbreak of violence.

Walk out? Walk up? I hope students feel empowered to do both. Where do you stand?

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Donna John
I'm with you, Renee Herren . I think they should do both. We need to support these remarkable kids.
Sheri B Doyle
I agree with you Renee. Both are a great idea. Teaching children how to stand up for their beliefs is incredibly important. Teaching them to be kind and to reach out to others in need is invaluable for us to create a better society.
Bri Montoya
I do not believe it has to be one or the other. I believe that we teach our youth about walking out, the importance of the First Amendment, peaceful protest, and the role that things like "walk outs" and "sits ins" have played for in America (think Civil Rights) AND we also teach them about sustaining social change - voting, writing letters, lobbying, being kind, advocating, etc.
Gina Pomering
I am so glad they are able to find their voices amongst this tragedy but I also encourage them all to walk up. We have to do a better job with helping all these children never get to this place again. There were multiple things that could have been done to prevent this and that is the real issue.
Elisa Schmitz
This generation inspires me. They give us hope! Thanks, Renee Herren !
AJ Rogers
I like both. Allowing them to speak their voice and express their feelings will only encourage them to want to use their voice when they vote.

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