Resilient Essay

In 1963, a march broke out onto the streets. There were banners, yelling, violence, and kids! Kids wanted everyone to be equal and the kids were the secret weapons because no one expected the kids would be the ones to help end racism. In 2008, a large amount of high school students from Kearney High took to the streets with their cause. This protest/march didn’t have violence or yelling, but there were banners and kids. The students and some parents’ protested at their school because they heard that some teachers were threatened to be fired or forced to quit because they couldn’t pay them much money. Though these two protests were different.

The Children’s March in 1963 was a resilient act because the kids did what ever they could so they can be equal like everyone else. The Children’s March took place in Birmingham, Alabama. They show kids that just because they are kids, don’t mean that they can’t make a difference. Children’s March can teach a lot of people and kids some important thing about doing what’s right and what seems right. The kids in the Children’s March didn’t mind or care if they went to jail, got sprayed by the fire hose, or got chased by dogs, as long as they get the word out and they made everyone equal, they would do anything just to make everyone equal. After the march, 4 girls were killed in a church where the march started by a bombing. Kids from everywhere came to the protest. They walked long distances to the protest because they wanted to help and be apart of it. They wouldn’t stop for anything until they made everyone equal. The Children’s March connects with my cousin because he did the same thing with some students from his school.

My cousin and some students in Kearney High made a protest at their school because they didn’t want the teachers to get fired because they can’t pay them that much. This happened on April 10, 2008. There were students, teachers, parents, banners, pizza, and a lot of things. Some students were holding up banners that said, “ Honk if you don’t want the teachers to leave.” And they also had petitions on clipboards because they wanted people to sign their petition so they could save their teachers. My cousin went to the protest and started to help them. He had a T-shirt and banners that said “S.O.S” which means “Save Our Staffs.” My brother also goes to the same school, but he didn’t go because he had homework. My cousin used his time protesting for the staff, so that’s why I think my cousin is resilient. My cousin doesn’t seem like the type who would go to protests, but he believed that he and some students could make a difference and try to change the principal’s mind. Since he is a teen, it seems like he would do something like going on Myspace or on the phone all day, but instead he stay to help his classmates and teachers protest. He decided to help others instead of hang out with friends and I think that is resilient because hanging out with friends can be done any day and any time, but that protest might only come once. He wanted to help his teachers to be resilient. My cousin and the Children’s March connects to my life because I joined my cousin in the protest even thought I didn’t know the teachers, staff, or the students there. That didn’t me stop from trying to help them keep my job. Ever since I did that, I like helping people and trying to make things better.

I connect with peaceful protest because I stand up for what I know is right. Protesting with my cousin made me think how other people feel and they want to make a difference but they can’t make a difference alone. Sometimes, they have to make a protest. We can protest and stand up for people on a smaller sale everyday. For example, recently I went to the store with my mom. I was in the game section getting something and I seen this girl and her mom. The girl wanted to buy this game but she wasn’t sure about the controls, so she asked one of the casher. He said that she did need this controller to play it. I didn’t want the girl to spend her money on something she really didn’t need for the game, so I told her that she could use any controller. This doesn’t have to do with protesting, but I did help someone save money. This can affect my life because doing that makes me want to help more people. I often try to help people at school. I just have a thing for helping others in need. I’m not sure if I can do what the Children’s March what my cousin, and his classmates did, but once I get older, I might be able to if I put my mind to it. In conclusion I can continue this legacy of peaceful protest by doing what I think is best for me and what I think is right. I’ am going to try and help people in the ways I can and when I get old enough, I can start a protest if I want something to change because I also want what’s best all people.