Inspired by the Youth Climate Strike
Young people recently marched and rallied at City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, as part of the Youth Climate Strike.
My thirteen-year-old daughter had seen videos of Greta Thunberg [a young Swedish climate activist] as well as other young climate activists confronting a California (USA) senator. She wanted to take action.
Organizing a school walk-out seemed too challenging. Instead, she spoke to her class about climate change and used social media, word-of-mouth, and posters to encourage everyone in the school to wear green. She made and handed out several hundred stickers for the Youth Climate Strike. The teachers and principal were encouraging and supportive. Her attempt to inform her fellow students was apparently the only “discussion” of the Youth Climate Strike at her school.
I listened to her ideas and helped her with her art projects. We talked about strategies for organizing young people and handling disappointment if interest should appear to be low. We talked about how, because of internalized young people’s oppression, some young people may target young people who show enthusiasm for anything, including for activism. I got to listen to her growing excitement about leading.
Then we joined the rally at City Hall. We saw other RCers and heard young people speak, sing, and lead. She learned about possible strategies for the next action, had a great time, and felt empowered while having fun with friends, classmates, and parents.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list
for leaders in the care of the environment