Shifting Power Centers

Back in the 1940’s babies were popping out all over. It was the Baby Boom and the numbers were startling. An expansion of new families happened overnight. It was the end of World War II and the mood was positive. People were relieved the war was over and could get back to ‘normal’ lives. Love was in the air and babies were the result.

Thus, began the Baby Boomer Era. Demographers suggested then that these kids would change the world. And they did.

The numbers were huge. To accommodate them houses were built. Communities sprang up quickly. Open spaces soon filled up with homes, schools, businesses and so much more. Local public services grew. Traffic grew. Roads were built and soon expressways and the Interstate Highway System. The face of the land was changed. Families were the center of things.

Political power soon followed. Numbers drove everything from advertising to voting. The culture shifted toward the middle-road ideology. Things needed to be done and they were. Can-do spirit prospered.

Those kids had kids but not in the same number. Smaller families slowed population growth and family life shifted yet again. This time toward more conservative values as people hung on to their lifestyles as long as they could.

A parade of demographic groupings followed until today we have boomers giving way to X-ers, Y-ers and now Millennials. Numbers are gaining ground. And attitudes are shifting yet again. With burgeoning talk among the alphabet groups, consensus splintered. Arguments expanded. Noisy, chaotic political skirmishing grew until events threatened the broader order.

Gun violence in our cities and towns, but most sacred, our schools. Guns in our schools? Bullets flying where our kids and grandkids spend the bulk of their daytime? Unthinkable.

When parents complained, nothing was done. Research on the problem was squelched. Government agencies were blocked from doing their jobs. The problem grew worse.

But now those threatened kids stand up and speak their truth. They point out their vulnerability. They are scared. They ask for help. From their parents and grandparents. They challenge the authorities.

At first. Nothing came. But now their truth is being heard. Things are changing. Help is on the way. If this help falters on its path toward enactment of legislation and programs to reduce gun violence in our schools, then these young people will go the next step.

They have tasted power. They will speak and act again until the right things are done. And tested. And proven right or wrong. And researched more to find newer, better answers to old and dust-covered problems.

Their persistence and numbers are shifting the power center. Soon they will own it. The rest of us will be engulfed by their willingness to do what we have been unable to accomplish.

Shame on us; kudos to them! This is as it should be.

March 14, 2018