US president Donald J Trump is often compared to a teenager. What an insult to young people everywhere.
At no point has this been thrown into sharper relief than in the aftermath of the Parkland massacre in Florida in February. Watching the speeches, the protests, the passion and the eloquence of the young people of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, as they came to terms with one of the worst mass school shootings in even the US’ ignoble history of such events, you could not have failed to become hopeful about the future.
Youngsters whose lives were forever altered by a tragic experience picked themselves up, made their voices heard and pushed for long-overdue reforms to the US’ gun laws - all while attending funerals for their classmates, teachers and friends.
Put simply, they changed the terms of the debate.
Their voices were transported around the globe: their dignity, optimism, anger and eloquence - while Donald Trump humiliated himself time and again - wowed not only the US, but the world.
This is a generation that has grown up with social media and they know how to use its full power to demolish every critic who tries to shame or silence their arguments.
The next time you witness someone attacking the coming generation of young people, remind them of Marjory Stoneman and the extraordinary students who will no doubt change the future.
Tes’ people of the year 2018
