As a disclaimer, this isn’t a nice article. This is honestly an article that does the exact thing I as a writer often try to avoid, it shows my emotions. This is an article written in hope and desperation, an article that is not nice and is full of frustration. It’s an article that firmly states what is wrong, an article that is calling out people I personally know for their actions in a sad, gross, gripping-for-some-type-of-humanity time. This is not a funny article, but this is also not the first article I have written while feeling this way.
Listed here are some of the most repulsive things I’ve seen about the students in the Parkland shooting, and some of these thing have been shared by my close friends. Call me a bleeding heart, call me sensitive, call me whatever you want, but I ask of you two things. Attack me instead of these children who have just dealt with a really terrible trauma that will leave them with lifelong scars, and ask yourself what if that was your kid being spoken about. What if your child’s, niece’s, or brother’s face was the one being shown and their name being said? Would you feel differently?
We need humanity, and I hope this article can show what happens when we lose humanity during tragedy. I hope people read this not as an attack, but as a firm reminder that these things can happen to any of us. And we need to treat each other the way we would want to be treated. So, without further disclaiming, here are the three most disgusting things I have seen about the Parkland children.
1. Shut Up
This was shared by one of my best friends, and is honestly infuriating. Doesn’t trauma change people? Didn’t we all hate when we lost recess because one kid spoke during the test? Don’t we all hate when we are judged because of the actions of a few? These kids are traumatized, and are the best people to be listening to when it comes to making kids feel safe at school. They shouldn’t shut up, because they are grieving, they are angry, and they want to feel safe. Imagine someone told your child who was just hit by a drunk driver to shut up when they spoke about drinking and driving laws, wouldn’t you be infuriated?
2. He Doesn’t Even Go There, He’s A Crisis Actor
David is a student who attends the Parkland, Florida high school, and has been speaking out for gun control. Conspiracy theorists have been attacking the boy left and right, claiming he doesn’t attend the school, he is a crisis actor, and that he is suspicious because his dad is former FBI. Snopes disproves all of these claims, and David is just a kid trying to make sure that what happened to him doesn’t happen to any other kids. He’s a kid, remember? A young man in high school, and he is just trying to make the world a better place along with many of his fellow classmates. Take a minute to think how difficult this would be for you or your child. You just survived a shooting where 17 people were killed, you are trying to do what you think is right, you are only 14-18 years old, and adults are attacking you and telling you that you are a liar. Let’s take this even one step further, even if you are opposed to David’s beliefs, would you change your mind on the way he is being treated if he was fighting for armed teachers? Would you have a problem with this treatment if he shared your beliefs? Even if you don’t agree with him, he needs humanity.
3. More Tide Pods
This was another image shared by the person mentioned earlier. Honestly joking about this is distasteful, rude, and trashy, especially so soon after these children went through this.
I think it’s common for internet users to assume that people won’t see what they put up on the internet, as a writer I see this all the time. People comment on articles not thinking that the author will read their comments, but we all see. Every insult, every threat, every single thing is seen by the person it is about. These kids are seeing these things, they are seeing people telling them to shut up, that they are dumb, they they’re liars, and that they are invalid. This same treatment is the one that makes people suicidal, that makes people feel worthless and alone. If any of those kids are reading this I want you to know: You aren’t alone, I believe you, I support you, your thoughts are valid, and to keep going. You will be the change in the world, you will have an impact.