You’ve Got The Power

By Cheryl Mattox Berry

One of the most powerful things to emerge from the tragic shooting death of Trayvon Martin is a new level of activism among young people. From participating in marches to staging walkouts at dozens of Miami-Dade high schools, students have been moved to take action.

Social media – specifically texting and Twitter – have made it easy for teens to connect and spread the word about activities surrounding the outrage over Martin’s senseless death. Surprising, yes, because not much seems to faze this generation, except cell phones and the Internet. Any talk about civil rights is met with rolling eyeballs and the words “old school.”

The Martin case has been a wake-up call for millennials. The world is not such a pretty place, especially if you’re brown or black. Now that your voice has been heard, how will it be used in the future?

Instead of complaining to your friends, take your concerns to the proper authorities. If they don’t listen, take your cue from what you’ve seen activists do in the Martin case and make them listen.

For example, I hear students complain all the time about the state test they must take before receiving a diploma. Some students are unable to pass the test and can’t go to college or get a decent job. Parents and teachers fight the good fight, but hearing from fed-up students would get the attention of legislators.

Education isn’t the only issue that students can tackle. Is crime bad in your neighborhood? Do people dump garbage in vacant lots that are never cleaned by the city or county? Can’t find a summer job? You don’t have to be indifferent anymore about things you see and know aren’t right. As the proverb goes, “it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.”