My kid just walked out with his classmates [View all]

He was supposed to have an excuse from a parent to prevent an unexcused absence. I didn't get the message in time to excuse him.

My neighborhood FaceBook page is deriding the kids for doing this while others celebrate. Many of the adults on that page have tried to defend the kids for making this choice and adding their voices (or as in today's protest, NOT adding their voices as it was a silent protest).

Many of the adults on that page are parents trying to defend or otherwise protect their kids. My kid didn't get the excuse or permission he needed to participate.

And this is the exact introduction to protest that students will benefit most from. If students get full support, they don't experience what it is like in the greater political world to have dissent from what they are trying to bring to light. They don't experience the nastiness that can come from others when you speak up. By giving my kid "permission" today, am I not taking away his right to protest peacefully? Isn't the Constitution his permission?

They don't get full support, free from heckling and vile hatred. And that is part of protesting. If all of the people were on their sides, they wouldn't need to speak up as they have today. All the parents who want to "protect" their kids on FB...have to step back and let the kids have a voice, accept the consequences of that voice, and realize their great power to change our world.

I'm proud of my kid. I admit that I went to school and stayed to watch...out of sight. It should be their day. They don't need the adults. But when we allow them to grow, we can change our world.