long read response

Brandon Walker

26 March 2018

ENG 101

Longreads response: Are the Teens All Right?

I chose to read the Longreads article entitled Are the Teens All Right?. This article explores the current condition of teenagers who have been affected by the tragedy of the Parkland shooting. This is an issue that struck home to me as it is a tragedy in which I personally felt connected to for reasons I haven’t yet been able to decipher. More so than any other personal tragedy or public tragedy witnessed in the past. The article talks about how the amount of devastation the students of the school are feeling along with their strength and ability to speak with confidence and control on the subject is rather amazing. A part that stuck out to me is the student who spoke publicly about their demand for actual change rather than the plethora of “thoughts and prayers” being delivered. Although “thoughts and prayers” seem like a positive thing on the surface they don’t provide change or progression of any sort. The kids are mature enough to realize this and will speak out about it. The kids are doing their best to make change and progress forward through their grief. Just picturing being in their shoes gives a good sense of how brave, courageous, and strong they are.