Teen Vogue's March cover features the new, young faces of the gun control movement from cities across the country affected by gun violence.
Unlike far too many mainstream publications and platforms, in the wake of the February school shooting in Parkland, Fla., Teen Vogue has demonstrated an inclusive understanding of the movement against gun violence. While the Parkland massacre brought about a new resurgence of resistance, it's not the first time youth have fought to have their voices heard regarding gun violence. From Ferguson to Chicago to Parkland, youth — especially black youth — are invoking change.
The magazine's March issue features nine activists leading the #MarchForOurLives and #NeverAgain movements — the new voices of gun reform. Clifton Kinnie of Ferguson, Missouri; Nick Joseph, Emma González, Jaclyn Corin, and Sarah Chadwick of Parkland, Florida; Jazmine Wildcat of Riverton, Wyoming; Kenidra Woods of St. Louis; Nza-Ari Khepraof Chicago, Illinois; and Natalie Barden of Newtown, Connecticut — are all connected to the gun violence issue in a different way.
Of the five young advocates featured on the cover, three of them are black.
"This is the reality we face as young people in America today: the constant fear of being gunned down in the places we should feel the most secure," Emma González of Parkland writes. "We have grown up in this country and watched violence unfold to no resolution. We have watched people with the power and authority to make changes fail to do so."
"And that’s why we are stepping up," she continues. "Some of us are new to this fight, but across America there are people, young and old, who have been fighting for gun safety and an end to gun violence of all kinds."
"There is 21-year-old Howard University student Clifton Kinnie, who, in 2014, mobilized teenagers to organize against gun violence and register to vote after 18-year-old Mike Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri…Jazmine Wildcat, a 14-year-old member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, is part of a gun-owning family in Riverton, Wyoming, and she started writing letters to her lawmakers after the students were killed in Parkland," Gonzalez says giving us insight into the change-makers.
"Kenidra Woods, a 17-year-old junior from St. Louis, was already advocating for more discussion of self-harm and mental health among teens before Parkland, after which she sprang into action to help conduct a walkout at her school in February in solidarity,' she continues. "Nza-Ari Khepra of Chicago founded Project Orange Tree after a friend, 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, was shot and killed in 2013," she continues. "Fellow Stoneman Douglas student Nick Joseph lost one of his best friends, Joaquin Oliver, on February 14, and is speaking out in his name by organizing and marching."
This is what true activism looks like. It doesn't have one shape, color or form. However, what it must always be in order to be effective is inclusive. We're proud of each of these students as the fight for gun law reform continues.
