Opinion: When thoughts and prayers are not enough, children lead

Rev. Joe Parramore
Your Turn
Rev. Joe Parramore

Our children marched last weekend because on Valentine’s Day — a day that typically represents love — families were destroyed and countless hearts were broken at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. This tragedy at the hands of a madman with an AR-15 military-style assault weapon still haunts us.

But last Saturday, at rallies across the state of Florida and throughout the nation, we witnessed the determination, passion and commitment of these students, who want to see law makers at every level take real steps toward banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines, expanding background checks and de-arming teachers.

Watching our young people this weekend reminded me of a story in Mark where Jesus welcomed children. Jesus, an itinerant preacher who healed people, was a celebrity and a phenomenon when he came to town. Parents came with their babies to hear him and have their children blessed by him.

The disciples attempted to shut it down. Perhaps it seemed trivial that Jesus was concerned about blessing children. Jesus took offense at his disciples and rebuked them. It pained Jesus to see that his disciples did not understand the worth of these children and the special joy they bring.

But after watching audacious voices like 11-year-old Naomi Wadler and Parkland survivor David Hogg speak to our nation, I know our children are prepared to lead.  Young people represent change and passionate idealism, unspoiled by adult cynicism and apathy. Children say what they see and feel, uncensored and unashamed. These young people are ready to see reality, ready to right wrongs and ready to change the world.

Even in the face of politics that has governed our state for decades, while dangerous weapons have continued to fall into the hands of unstable people or even homegrown terrorists – our children started organizing and speaking.

On Feb. 21, Florida’s House of Representatives took up legislation to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, expanded background checks, increased the buying age and implemented a three-day waiting period. Some of these measures passed, but the assault weapon and high capacity magazine ban did not.

During this hearing where families, students, and parents were present, I along with many others, testified in support of monumental, not  incremental, gun reform legislation in Florida. Despite the cry from students, families and those who testified that morning,  the ban legislation went nowhere.

In the end, the Legislature did pass incremental gun control to appease our outcry. It fell far short of what most Floridians demand: an assault weapon and high capacity magazine ban, expanded background checks and not arming our teachers and school personnel. Only hours after the governor signed the bill into law, the NRA filed suit against the state, showing again that it doesn't respect our communities or human life.

Many politicians find themselves glibly saying, tragedy after tragedy: “You are in my thoughts and prayers.” I am grateful the students of Stoneman Douglas have heard the shallowness and hollowness of their thought and prayers. I am grateful they are taking action. They are taking to streets. As a pastor, I am proud to have marched under the leadership of the these children.

Rev. Joe Parramore is the founder and senior pastor of New Journey Ministries in Quincy. His activism and advocacy work on issues regarding the LGBTQ+ community, non-discrimination, hate and violence has led him to build bridges with many legislators across the state.