The aftermath of the massacre at my school should not have been politicized, but it was. Only a few days after the shooting occurred, my peers and I were immediately bussed off to lobby the State Capitol; many saw an opportunity to capitalize on the immediate emotional reaction that follows a school shooting for legislative change. Students and the media horde descended on Florida’s capital to demand not only ineffective but also harmful, reactionary “common sense gun control,” as our only option. Legislators, especially conservatives, were given an ugly ultimatum: either agree to pass unconstitutional laws that would likely lead to the deaths of more innocent people or be labeled complicit with murderers with “blood on their hands.”
Since Parkland, I have noticed a pattern emerge. The Second Amendment is under attack by policies nefariously billed as attempts to protect our youth. As a counterbalance to those who would seek to undermine the Constitution and make our schools more vulnerable, I knew I had a unique opportunity to let my voice be heard. I took media appearances and meetings with government officials, but I knew I had to do more. I needed to energize thousands more to fight for the liberties perpetually under attack as well as the foundational beliefs on which this great nation was fortified. In this mindset, I agreed to be Director of High School Outreach for Turning Point USA.
Turning Point USA is in the business of empowering young conservatives. Through large events and speakers, TPUSA members are equipped to learn about public policy, develop a voice fluent in conservative principles, and go out and spread the word. Those at the highest level of government and conservative thought are regularly at TPUSA events and help to cultivate knowledgeable, conservative thinkers to help fuel a groundswell of grassroots activism that makes this nation a better place.
Coming in as High School Director, I am ready to start a new chapter in the growing legacy of TPUSA. I will personally see to it that our metrics are accurate and consistently on the rise. The work we produce will engage young Americans at varying intellectual levels in a sincere and thoughtful way. That I can promise. The positive effect that Turning Point has had and will have will be undeniable.
TPUSA has made the conscientious choice that it is never too early to be an engaged citizen. I can’t even vote yet, but I have had the opportunity to lobby Congress and even the President directly. Through tragedy, I was given a special microphone to tell my story, but there are others out there with voices we need to hear. This is why I have championed the High School Leadership Summit, which has sought out exceptional high school students to come to D.C. for a unique conference. The speaker list for the event is long indeed and includes many current Trump Administration officials and leading conservative voices.
But we will not stop at merely voicing our principles in our echo chamber. We are going to win converts. Just today, I announced that TPUSA will be sponsoring scholarships to any Parkland student that wants to come to the summit. I hope that we can have a longer dialogue among the young people in our great country, and this is one step towards a more unified, politically engaged youth voter.
We are at a turning point in American politics. Sadly, everything has become politically divisive. We must prioritize engaging with one another and teaching our young people to be effective communicators of our inspired heritage, truth and reason. Join me in the conversation, as we embrace the role of carrying forward our great constitutionally grounded, liberty-promoting national heritage and begin the discussion to reignite the same inspiration that gave us generation upon generation of freedom.
Kyle Kashuv is the Director of High School outreach for Turning Point USA, where he will be hosting the High School Leadership Summit on July 24-26, 2018 and a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He has become an outspoken gun rights advocate since the horrific tragedy that happened at his high school on February 14. Kyle has been able to successfully lobby congress and the president to pass “STOP School Violence Act” and “Fix NICS.” You can follow him on Twitter @KyleKashuv