After a powerful speech at the March For Our Lives event, one thing is certain: Ava Johnson deserves recognition. In a time when the adults in our society often act more childishly than actual children, we find hope in the voices of youth who highlight critical issues facing our communities. This was exemplified by 11-year-old Ava Johnson, who delivered a compelling address on behalf of African-American girls affected by gun violence.
Her message resonated: Black girls matter, and all innocent victims of senseless gun violence deserve recognition in this movement. Ava led a walkout at her elementary school on March 14 as part of National Walkout Day, where students across the country peacefully protested for 17 minutes to honor the lives lost in Parkland last month. Ava and her classmates stood for an additional minute to commemorate the memory of a young Black girl, Jasmine Brooks, who tragically lost her life in a school shooting in Alabama shortly after the Parkland incident.
“I am here today to represent the African American girls whose stories don’t make it to the front page of national newspapers or lead the evening news,” Ava stated. “I stand for the African American women who are victims of gun violence, reduced to mere statistics instead of vibrant, promising individuals.”
The privilege surrounding the coverage of the Parkland students has been a significant focus, one that they themselves acknowledge and seek to change. Just a day before the march, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School engaged in discussions with their peers from the Thurgood Marshall Academy in D.C. to address media bias and ensure that students of color affected by gun violence receive the same platform as their Parkland counterparts.
“For far too long, these names — these Black girls and women — have been just numbers,” Ava declared to the audience. “I’m here to say ‘never again’ for those girls, too.” At just 11 years old, her impressive stage presence and passionate delivery left listeners in awe. Why do we ever underestimate the capabilities of children? Didn’t Mr. Rogers teach us that it’s foolish to do so?
“People have claimed that I am too young to have these beliefs,” she continued. “They’ve said I’m merely a puppet for some unnamed adult. That’s false. My friends and I may still be in elementary school, but we understand. We know life isn’t fair for everyone, and we recognize what’s right and wrong.”
Today’s children have access to information in ways that even millennials did not — the entire world is literally at their fingertips. So why shouldn’t they be included in the national conversation about issues that directly impact their lives, such as gun violence? When children are shot in their classrooms or while walking home, every child and teenager has the right to voice their opinions on this matter. The victims that Ava represents are not just reading about these tragedies online; they are living through them every single day.
Ava also reminded the crowd that seven years is not a long time to wait until she and her peers can vote. I know I won’t forget her name, not in seven years, nor in 20. Wherever she and other young girls like her lead, we should follow.
“I encourage everyone here and anyone who hears my voice to join me in sharing the stories that often go untold,” she urged. “To honor the girls and women of color who are murdered at disproportionate rates in this nation. I ask each of you to help me craft the narrative for this world and ensure that these girls and women are never forgotten.”
This article was originally published on March 25, 2018.
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Summary:
In a powerful speech at the March For Our Lives event, 11-year-old Ava Johnson advocated for African-American girls whose stories are often overlooked, emphasizing the need for recognition of gun violence victims. She challenged societal narratives and called for a change in how media portrays these girls. Ava’s passionate delivery and insights into the inequalities faced by youth today highlight the importance of their voices in national conversations.
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