Claire - #TeenArtistsUnite

Society at it’s finest – not really.

Can I just say, props to us teens that have made it this far – because growing up in a generation where we have to fight for everything [that’s right], due to controlling and malicious world leaders, political figures *cough cough Trump* and other narcissistic teens, is really hard.

I’m sure we’ve all heard of the women’s march late last month [21st – 22nd of January “17]. I love the idea of an internationally diverse community coming together to support each other all around the world, but the reasons why they’re marching are silly. They shouldn’t have to fight for anything as simple as:

Reproductive rights: This includes women not having the legal right to have access to a safe and legal abortion, when NEEDED. Or having the legal right to birth control, or the right to a good-quality reproductive health care. Or having access to educational sessions that inform young women about healthy reproductive choices.

Approximately 4,600,000 people marched all around the world, but that still isn’t enough. What more do we need to bring to the table for certain legal rights over an organ we are born with, that supposedly created the world leaders that refuse it?

LGBT rights: What I don’t understand is that some people are refusing to accept lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people. It is what is, people. Accept it, it’s not going to change. But why don’t they have the right to get married? I mean, obviously you don’t need to be married to show your partner you love them, but having the legal right to do so, would be a great act of kindness. But still they shouldn’t have to fight for their rights at an equal marriage. It’s 2017; why is SOME LOVE against the law?

Racial Equality: I’m sure anyone reading this has most certainly heard about racial equality and the whole ‘Black lives matter’ movement. Good! Great! Fantastic!

Why is something as simple as melanin pigmentation in your skin bad? Over 250 black men were murdered by police in America alone [2016]. I don’t understand it, if a man or women, of any race I might add, is given the privilege to work with or for the law, they should act like it. Not like someone that thinks taking lives from anyone is okay. Because its not.

All this and yes it is only a small example of what we are currently fighting for.

But, if we were to put all disagreements aside, we should be proud of what out society has accomplished over the past few years. I’m proud to say that music, art, education and individuality have brought us together as one community of understanding and compassionate young adults. And that I am honored to be apart of.