Shocker: Conservatives Don't Think Teens Are Capable of Having Their Own Opinions Against Gun Violence

Teenagers across the country are angry about the lack of response to a broken gun system in America. However, in a time when we should be listening to the survivors' pleas and opinions, many conservatives wish we wouldn't. A vocal group of conservative pundits are questioning whether or not children have the right to express their opinions, and some are even spreading conspiracy theories that survivors of the Parkland, FL, shooting are being used by left-wing organizations.

Fox News political pundit Bill O'Reilly maintains that the liberal media is using angry teens as a part of their larger "coup" on America, and has gone so far as to say that by giving these teens a platform, we in the media are taking advantage of their grieving processes. For O'Reilly and other conservatives, their fixation on the anger of teenagers is nothing more than trying to distract people from the larger point.

Aging conservatives attempting to discredit teenagers is nothing new. When I was in high school, hanging above my drafting teacher's door was a sign that read, "I wish I was young again and knew everything." Considering it was placed next to a sign that also read, "The only good liberal is a dead liberal," I doubt that it was intended to be an encouragement to the social activism that is so prevalent in youths. Just as teenagers are idealistic and trying to change the world, there are those that wish to taint their efforts.

When I was a teacher, I was awestruck by my students' activism, desire for social change, and progressive ideals. Working with youth helped me to be a better thinker and challenged my own beliefs. Yes, these kids are young, and we as adults need to protect them, but just because they're young doesn't mean that they are incapable of having experienced real heartbreak in the world or taking action as a result.

I've taught students who grew up surrounded by systemic poverty and gun violence. Those kids don't need the liberal media to coach them into how to feel or what to say. Their grief, anger, and desire to make the world better fuels their progressivism all on their own. Can we not invalidate teens' experiences just because they're young? Instead, we should honor their eagerness and listen to them, because listening to other adults sure isn't getting us anywhere.

The no-spin truth is, conservatives are scared of this crop of teenagers. Yes, they are the generation that spends hours on YouTube looking up stupid challenges to do with their friends, but they are also the group that is giving moving speeches, petitioning the government, planning marches, and organizing demonstrations. Don't let their ages or their moments of silliness distract you from the realization that a group of conservatives are scared of a bunch of teenagers and their idealistic beliefs.

Editor's Note: This piece was written by a POPSUGAR contributor and does not necessarily reflect the views of POPSUGAR Inc. Interested in joining our POPSUGAR Voices network of contributors from around the globe? Click here.