David Hogg (1) (2000–)

David and Lauren Hogg, survivors of the Parkland School shooting, describe who they are, what happened that fateful day and what they decided to do about it. The students at Parkland gathered together and decided enough was enough. I found this story inspiring and moving, so much so that I will be voting in 2020 for change. I want to see people elected who value people's lives, especially the lives our children, more than the right to have guns designed for mass shootings for all, even those who never should have any weapons. Kudos to Parkland students for taking the lead on this important issue. Lives depend on their success.… (plus d'informations)

I think it is important to listen to "own voices" descriptions of events. How do we understand what it must be like to experience a mass shooting by just listening to news reports? David and his sister experienced the school shooting at Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. Their willingness to tell their story and to encourage activism on the subject of gun violence is meaningful and appreciated. There was not a lot of content that had not been out there already, but reading the book and learning about their background put context around their commentary. It is a short book written in the style of high schoolers who have something important to say. I definitely recommend it.… (plus d'informations)

Put your politics away and read this short book by two of the survivors of the Parkland shooting and organizers for March for Our Lives (All proceeds from the book go to that organization).
The book starts by giving some background on the Hogg's lives. Their story is fairly well-known: they are white middle-class children of an FBI agent and teacher who found in Parkland an excellent school system. As a result, David and Lauren are mature, intelligent children, pretty normal, with the usual teenage introspection and foibles. February 14th changed their lives forever.
I was impressed by their ability to lay out facts and their use of social media. David talks about it here: "we are growing up in a time when technology gives us the confidence to assume that we can do things and figure out the world in ways that it hasn't been figured out before." They are honest enough to talk about the privilege they have, better teachers, equipment, a variety of classes, etc that have enabled them to speak out in a way others from less advantaged backgrounds often can't.
They are not gratuitous in writing about the shooting itself, but there are moments that just grab your heart: Lauren speaking of the four friends she lost or this quote from when her mom took her to counseling, "I nonetheless began to tell my story, which was hard enough, but harder still was sitting in that chair and watching the therapists weeping." The last section of the book is pages and pages listing the many school shooting victims since Columbine.
They lay out a common-sense 10 point strategy that respects both gun owners and the inherent right of people to live. Their parents must be so proud of them all, not just David and Lauren, but all the rest who are working to make a difference. As it says in the book, they are learning to change the world by presuming that they can.… (plus d'informations)