See the world through the eyes of our children, if you dare. The leading cause of youth deaths is gun violence. As our children endure active shooter drills, school and mass shootings continue to headline the news. They see our leaders offering no solutions, just thoughts and prayers. Students are taught each year that science has been of enormous value to humankind; yet they observe climate science being ignored and undermined. Then they see the predictions of climate scientists being born out in real time. What of their future? During the warm months, their outdoor lives are threatened by debilitating diseases from mosquitoes and ticks; in winter months they see their outdoor recreational opportunities diminished by warmer weather. They see our government is polarized and dysfunctional; democracy is threatened. Public discourse has coarsened, with an increase in violent rhetoric.

They see children dying in Gaza and Ukraine. LGBTQs and youths of color feel devalued by divisive concepts laws, book banning, and culture wars. Forever chemicals? Their social, emotional, and academic lives have been stunted by the pandemic and beyond. They’re told that AI presents a potential existential threat and will destabilize their future employment opportunities. Social media exposes them to false and misleading information and exploitation by media companies. Why are we surprised when the mental health of our children is tanking? JFK: “Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” When are we going to make them and their future a priority?

Allan MacDonald

New London