From day one of his improbable climb, Barack Obama has delivered one consistent message to the youth of America, (they) “held the power to insist that America can be better.” And Iowa’s youth took his message to heart, and did indeed flex their power on one cold night in January, 2008.
And, America’s youth didn’t stop in Iowa, but continued to spearhead Obama’s grassroots primary and general election victories. Pundits and cynical strategists from both sides, love to scoff at the impact of the youth vote, but numbers don't lie and in 2008 they proved "difference-makers."
And, the Obamas, at least, have never forgotten their impact nor given up their campaign to inspire, motivate, support and salute the American youth who prove "Yes, they can."
In Time100's 2018 list of difference-makers, Barack Obama pays tribute to another group of young people worthy of the title, "difference-makers."
In these dark times, for those of you who have fallen fall prey to cynicism about the sad "disengagement" and "lack of commitment" from our nation's youth, I urge you to read his full tribute.
"The Parkland, Fla., students don’t have the kind of lobbyists or big budgets for attack ads that their opponents do. Most of them can’t even vote yet.
But they have the power so often inherent in youth: to see the world anew; to reject the old constraints, outdated conventions and cowardice too often dressed up as wisdom.
The power to insist that America can be better.
Our kids now show us what we’ve told them America is all about, even if we haven’t always believed it ourselves: that our future isn’t written for us, but by us."
- Barack Obama
http://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217568/parkland-students/
And, I hope all pay heed to his frank assessment of the future
"Already, they’ve had some success persuading statehouses and some of the biggest gun retailers to change. Now it gets harder. A Republican Congress remains unmoved. NRA scare tactics still sway much of the country. Progress will be slow and frustrating."
Finally, I urge you all to please, take some time to familiarize yourself with Parkland Kids' MarchforourLives.com summer and fall campaign efforts and help them spread the word on social media.
They have not given up.
They are showing up.
They are inspiring others.
Much has been made of Gillum's African American support helping to drag Nelson over the finish line. But, don't dismiss the Parkland Kids' impact as they consider Nelson a real ally who spoke out immediately for them.
And like one cold January 2008, I believe the Parkland Kids are going to prove real difference-makers in the upcoming Florida elections…