Young People VS. The Law

 

Young People VS. The Law

By Desi Ward
Since the beginning of time, society has often described youth as ignorant beings who should be seen and not heard. However, as time progresses, culture evolves, and people learn, it becomes clear that children and young people are the foundation of a successful society. The youth are the generation that carries forward the ambitions of their parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. These ambitions may range from building a successful enterprise to becoming a household name.

Today, I believe these ambitions increasingly concern the legal systems of the world and the fight for equality. Young people engage in these struggles through political movements, participation in law-related extracurricular activities, and voicing their opinions on social media to raise awareness. For the purposes of this discussion, I define youth as the period between childhood and maturity, specifically ages 10 to 24. Scientifically, the brain fully develops around age 25, making age 24 an ideal upper limit for this definition (Merriam-Webster).

Youth-led movements have existed since the late nineteenth century, initially advocating for labor rights. However, youth activism gained broader momentum in the early twentieth century, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement. Students led sit-ins, publicly promoted by activists like Clara Luper in Oklahoma, as a major form of nonviolent protest against racial discrimination. Sit-ins were conducted across the United States to challenge segregation. These youth-led movements contributed significantly to reducing racial violence and discrimination (Oklahoma Digital Prairie).

Although the fight for equality has been ongoing for centuries, challenges remain. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” This quote emphasizes that real change begins with people’s willingness to fight for justice, equality, and fairness.

A current example illustrating King’s message is the ICE protests happening across the United States. These protests, particularly those occurring in schools, demonstrate youth activism in action. In one state, the construction of an ICE detention facility near the largest Hispanic population was briefly halted due to advocacy and protest by young people. It was the voices of youth, standing up to government decisions, that successfully challenged this action.

In conclusion, youth have demonstrated that their voices have the power to create meaningful change. Across history and into the present, young people have fought for justice, equality, and fairness. Their resilience and passion show that no individual, government, or society can stop them when they are committed to a cause. The youth of today may very well be the reason we achieve true equality in the future.

Works Cited

  • admin. “First Sit-in - Oklahoma Digital Prairie.” Oklahoma Digital Prairie - Your Information Hub for State Records, Archives, Pictures, Forms, and Online Resources, 19 Aug. 1958, digitalprairieok.net/first-sit-in/.

  • Merriam-Webster. “Definition of YOUTH.” Merriam-Webster.com, 2017, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/youth.

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