"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something." - Churchill
I'm writing this during a day of student walk-outs to protest gun violence. Speaking up for something you care about can be scary. Staying silent is scarier still.
When we speak up, or encourage our kids to speak up, we might make enemies. That's OK. In fact, if you follow the words of Winston Churchill, it's not only necessary but good. As he says:
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something."
What would our life be like if we never woke up, stood up and spoke up? It's the basic tenant of conflict mediation. It's the essential nature of justice. Whatever the topic that bugs you, remember the central message of It's OK to Go Up the Slide:
"If something is bothering you, it's time to make a change."
That simple adage works on the level of dealing with a toddler who won't stay in bed. It works on the level of opting out of elementary school homework. It works on the level of major national issues like climate change and access to assault weapons. If something is wrong, if you know something is wrong or out of whack, it's time to make a change.
Teaching our children to question and stand up for themselves begins in preschool. It continues throughout life. My new heroes are the thousands of students who are taking on adult roles and demanding change against gun violence.
As many voices have said, the children have to be leaders because the leaders are acting like children.
If this is the way children act, let us all follow their example.
What have you stood up against that made you uncomfortable or made you enemies? What was the result? What are you standing up for today?
