“There is also the dogged persistence of kids, from school age to college age. That persistence can be endearing in children, but it’s rarely even feasible for adults. Even politically committed adults typically have to return to daily obligations, lacking the time and energy that author Phillip Hoose says are critical to youthful success. Young people can truly commit to their commitments, with one more day of marching, sitting-in or rounding up followers. In the process, they’re often able to reach grown-ups who can actually implement change. In his book It’s Our World, Too! Hoose also points to the importance of young activists’ firmly defined senses of right and wrong, as well as the power of being underestimated and the availability of school as a place to organize.
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Children — especially by their teenage years — also display a sense of invincibility in the face of risk, which is often amplified by their exasperation with being under the thumb of adults. Hoose took the title of his book from an 11-year old boy who was told he could not sign a petition to stop the spread of nuclear weapons because he was too young. “It’s our world, too!” the boy said, and he promptly started a petition for kids.” —Karen Leggett
“There is also the dogged persistence of kids, from school age to college age. That persistence can be endearing in children, but it’s rarely even feasible for adults. Even politically committed adults typically have to return to daily obligations, lacking the time and energy that author Phillip Hoose says are critical to youthful success. Young people can truly commit to their commitments, with one more day of marching, sitting-in or rounding up followers. In the process, they’re often able to reach grown-ups who can actually implement change. In his book It’s Our World, Too! Hoose also points to the importance of young activists’ firmly defined senses of right and wrong, as well as the power of being underestimated and the availability of school as a place to organize.