GUILFORD — I was very proud of how our kids at Brattleboro Union High School conducted themselves at the recent walkout to protest gun violence. I also appreciate adults from our community who joined in.
Unfortunately, someone among the non-student group chose to display the U.S. flag upside down. I can understand the feeling that the leaders of our country are failing our youth by their inaction regarding sensible gun control. But this inaction is not a reflection of our entire country. The flag represents all of us.
Displaying the flag upside down angers and hurts many people, especially our veterans and those who have lost loved ones in armed conflict. Creating this anger only sidetracks us from dealing with the issue at hand.
I'm so glad to see our kids taking a thoughtful leadership role in demanding sensible actions to be taken to address the violence that is primarily directed at them. So, as adults, let's support our kids by not creating more hostility.