After a powerful address at the March For Our Lives event, it’s evident: Ava Carter for President. When the adults in charge behave childishly, we must turn to our youth to spotlight the pressing issues facing our society. This was perfectly illustrated by 11-year-old Ava Carter, who delivered a compelling speech on behalf of African-American girls affected by gun violence.
Her message resonated deeply: black girls matter, and every innocent victim of needless gun violence deserves recognition in this movement. Ava organized a walkout at her elementary school on March 14 as part of National Walkout Day, where students nationwide participated in a peaceful 17-minute demonstration to remember the 17 lives lost in Parkland.
Ava and her classmates stood outside for 18 minutes, adding an extra minute in honor of Mia Thompson, a young black girl who lost her life in a school shooting in Alabama shortly after the Parkland tragedy. “I am here today to acknowledge and represent the African American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper, whose stories don’t lead the evening news,” Ava stated. “I represent the African American women who are victims of gun violence, who are merely statistics instead of vibrant, beautiful girls with boundless potential.”
The privilege surrounding the Parkland students has been a central theme in the discussions and support they’ve received—something they recognize and wish to change. The day prior to the march, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School met with peers from Langston Hughes Academy in D.C. to discuss media biases and how to provide students of color, affected by gun violence, the same platform afforded to them.
“For far too long, these names, these black girls and women, have been reduced to numbers,” Ava declared. “I’m here to say ‘never again’ for those girls, too.” At just 11 years old, her commanding presence and passionate delivery were truly inspiring. Why do we ever underestimate children? Didn’t Fred Rogers remind us that it’s foolish to do so?
“Many have claimed that I’m too young to form these thoughts independently,” she continued. “Some say I’m just a puppet for some unseen adult. That’s simply not true. My friends and I may still be in elementary school, but we understand that life isn’t fair for everyone, and we know right from wrong.”
Today’s children have unprecedented access to information—more than even millennials did. Why shouldn’t they engage in national conversations about issues that impact their lives, like gun violence? When children are shot in their classrooms or on their way home, it’s crucial that all children and teens have a voice in this movement. The victims Ava represents aren’t just reading about these tragedies online; they are living through them every day.
Ava poignantly reminded the crowd that in just seven years, she and her peers will be eligible to vote. I doubt I will forget her name—not in seven years, not in twenty. Wherever her journey leads, we should all pay attention to the path that young leaders like her carve.
“I urge everyone here and everyone who hears my voice to join me in sharing the stories that often remain untold,” she implored. “To honor the girls and women of color who are murdered at disproportionately high rates in this nation. I urge each of you to help me shape the narrative for this world, ensuring these girls and women are never forgotten.”
This article was originally published on March 25, 2018.
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In summary, Ava Carter’s speech at the March For Our Lives event highlighted the urgent need to acknowledge the stories of black girls affected by gun violence, emphasizing that their lives and narratives are just as important as those of others.