Sketches 2020

we want to live our lives just as much as
everyone else. It is upsetting to think
that I may see the day where my friends,
classmates, cousins, and colleagues
may be dragged into an unforgiving
war that we want nothing to do with.
We have the right to be angry with
the fact that more money is spent on
military than our education. It deeply
upsets me that we have neglected
those who have served our country,
leaving them scarred and left to fend for
themselves. I am sickened that I have
watched my mom, take money from
her own pocket to put supplies in her
student’s hands. I am deeply angered
that we have people in America freezing
and starving to death on the streets. The
thought that there are people in Flint
Michigan, so close to my city, that have
not had clean drinking water in over four
years makes me truly sick to my stomach.
I am aggravated that there are simple
things that can be fixed but the greed of
a few refuses it. Most of all I am angry
that we are shunned from speaking about
it, from complaining, for thinking things
should be better. Do not let anyone tell us
that we are too young or that we are not
experienced enough to know any better.
Do not let anyone even utter that it is “too
far out of control” and “not a single person
can change the world”. I refuse to believe
I am the only one that cares because I know
my peers, I recognize the pain they are
feeling, for I feel it every day. I will not prevent
my thoughts and words from flowing.
I absolutely will not sit quiet and pretty.
I truly hope that my peers come to the same
conclusion. I hope that they can find the
self-confidence to believe that they can
make a change. I hope that we can inspire
each other and not only stand up for what
is right but also act and do what is right.
I believe we can organize, speak our
minds and make things happen. There are
millions of us, intelligent, young and
resilient and we are beyond capable of
making this world what we want it to be.
Let us no longer let our thoughts burn
holes in the back of our minds, let us spit
fire, be loud, and be passionate. It is time
for us to take our world back.
Liviya Obeney
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