Today, I’ve got something special to share; A lot of you may be familiar with the “30 under 30” concept. It’s used as a list that celebrates young people who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments in their fields or industries.
It’s used to celebrate innovation, creativity, leadership, and activism.
But what about the promising young people whose lives were cut short by gun violence before they could even really begin?
I saw this in real time with my classmates’ during the horrific school shooting I lived through at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
I’m not alone in this. Since the Columbine shooting in 1999 more than 383,000 students have experienced gun violence at school. That means 383,000 kids who watched their friends and teachers die. 383,000 kids who have to shoulder the trauma of living through a school shooting for the rest of their lives. 383,000 kids who will never truly be able to walk through their school hallways without fear.
Change the Ref’s 30 under 30 project celebrates and honors 30 children whose lives were taken too early due to the epidemic of gun violence in this country. They created a beautiful magazine that shares these 30 stories and calls for action.
This isn’t about statistics, it’s about futures cut short.
With gratitude,
Jackie
Co-founder & Executive Director
March For Our Lives
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