It almost seems as if the darker the headlines get, the more–and more brilliant–are the young people stepping up to illuminate that darkness. From the eloquence and courage of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, to the defiance and persistence of the Parkland massacre survivors, to the indigenous youth leading the No DAPL movement and the undocumented young people behind United We Dream, young brothers and “sisters are doin’ it for themselves.” Their arrival on the scene is as welcome as the Allied forces were to the liberation of Paris in an earlier era. The young people bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm and hugely refreshing honesty and directness.
We have two interviews this issue. The first is with Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, at 18 a published author and recorded hip-hop artist, the youth director of Earth Guardians, and one of the plaintiffs in the groundbreaking lawsuit against the federal government for failing to preserve a livable environment. The second is with Luc Reynaud, a 30-something singer, songwriter, and activist, whose band, Luc and the Lovingtons, brings hope and courage to people facing adversity in places as far-flung as a Syrian refugee camp and the island of Puerto Rico, post-Maria.
In Essays and Memoirs, we share a short list of young change-makers throughout history, Laura Grace Weldon’s thoughts on empowering even infants and toddlers to build community and connection, and Stanford undergrad Rebecca Nelson’s essay on faith to carry us through cultural turbulence.
We have poetry by Annette Gagliardi, Bashir Richard, and Paige Stetson; a short story about a young Muslim teen who chooses life; four powerful Movies You Might’ve Missed, MOON Shine, and more!
No comments yet.