I know that our school, and many others, will be having a walk-out in March to fight for safety in our schools. But let’s be real. While that may take a stand, it will not change anything. We have been fighting for years to get Congress to listen to us: the women’s march, protests, rallies, boycotts. But there’s a pattern: no one is listening. Because I support the cause and its intentions, I will walk out on that day. But something more needs to be done. I’m still trying to figure out what that is. But something needs to be done, all of us contributing together. I’m not kidding; really, I’m serious about trying something, whether big or small. And I’m open to suggestions. But I can no longer sit back and hope other people are taking charge, because now, I feel personally affected. I am scared, and that is enough.

Here is my version of Rise Up.

Here is the original piece by Andra Day: Andra Day – Rise Up

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Dear Congress,

I have my share of political views, but I do not often share them publicly. However, since what I am about to address isn’t a political matter, I am not breaking my code.

I know you will hear about protests and people demanding change in the coming days. I know students are rallying and hosting walk-outs for gun regulations. I know there are celebrities posting on Facebook and Instagram demanding change. I know people are being encouraged to register to vote to change who is in office this coming year. I stand behind all these people because I am scared.

I walk around my house at night, staying up doing homework, wondering if the noise I hear is the dishwasher, or some stranger with a gun outside my door. I check behind me when walking in the streets of New York City, making sure I am not being followed. I used to think when there was a lockdown in my school, it was just a drill, as usual, but now I can’t tell the difference. Is it real or is it a drill?

I am an eighteen-year-old girl living in New York. I believe I should not be scared. I should be safe in my own home. I should not fear anything but a bad test grade when I am at school. But unfortunately, I do. And the fact is, being female does not help any of these circumstances.

So here’s the deal Congress. Get this through your heads. This isn’t about politics. This isn’t a partisan issue. This is about my safety. If you care anything at all, even an inkling, deep, deep down somewhere; if some good part of you, that small part, is telling you to forget about getting reelected and listen for once to the people, then you will do something. You will help me, and my peers, not live in fear. You will make it so I don’t wonder if a murderer is standing outside my door. You will not have me living in fear at school, worrying about matters other than my grades. You will help me be more confident that walking out into the streets won’t get me automatically harassed. You will improve my confidence that this country is the best country, and that my family made the right decision in moving here and staying.

Point blank: I could care less if you get reelected. I don’t give a damn if you lose your job. Because everyday, people are losing their futures. They don’t get to have careers, go to college, have families. They die in totally preventable school shootings and attacks. They did nothing wrong. So don’t you dare say, “It’s not the time to discuss gun control.” If you truly believe that, you are delusional. If this is not the time, when is it? Let’s wait, until thousands more get killed. Even then, it still won’t be the time to discuss gun control.

Stop being selfish. It’s our turn. It is our turn to be selfish. Your agenda to get reelected is unimportant, and if you care about that more than our lives, you are selfish. Today, and from now on, I choose to be selfish, if that is what you call it. I choose to stand with my peers and we will fight.

You too have a choice. You can choose to protect the right to bear arms, or you can choose to protect the right to live. In my opinion, the choice is clear. As an eighteen-year-old, I cannot drink, or, heck, rent a car. I live under my parents’ insurance and they pay my bills. I studied for weeks to get my permit; I spent over a year learning how to drive; I had a junior’s license for a year, restricting me from driving after 9 PM and with no more than one non-family member. But, for some horribly wrong reason, I can get a gun in under five minutes. No one will stop me. I can buy ammunition, I can hide things from my parents. I can post pictures of said gun and ammo on the Internet, and no one will notice. Let’s be clear, I am not morbid enough to do that. But I can, and that is the issue.

I am not a parent, so I have no idea what it feels like to have a child. I have never lost someone I loved so deeply, so I can’t empathize with those who have. But I know one thing with absolute certainty: you would never wish your children to go through what those kids in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, Sandy Hook Elementary, and Columbine High went through. You would never wish your parents or brothers and sisters to go through what those humans in Las Vegas and the Pulse nightclub went through. You wouldn’t want to be without someone you love.

Because I am eighteen now, I can vote, and I fully intend to do that. I will vote this year. And if you don’t support safety and valuable lives, then I will make sure I get everyone I can to vote you out of office. So I suggest you figure out what to do. I don’t have much power. In fact, I am pretty much a nobody. But I promise, with all of my being. I will not go down without a fight.

Sincerely,

Radha Patel