She came and she conquered. She conquered her fears and everyone else's by taking stage and speaking up. 11 year old Naomi Wadler is the young activist who spoke and led protests at the March for our lives in Washington D.C. to protest against guns. At the march, she ensured the protest was not only for those killed in Parkland, but also for those who are underrepresented and whose names are just as worthy of remembering.
Who is Naomi Wadler?
5th grader from a school in Alexandria, Virginia, she is all of 11 years old.
Why did she make global headlines?
Naomi Wadler was chosen to speak at the march after she organized a walkout at her elementary school on March 14 to protest gun violence and honour the lives of those lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in Parkland, Florida. She also honored Courtlin Arrington a 17-year-old high school senior from Alabama who was shot and killed in school, just weeks after the Florida shooting.
What she said about African Americans
“I am here to acknowledge and represent the African-American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper, whose stories don’t lead on the evening news. I represent the African-American women who are victims of gun violence, who are simply statistics instead of vibrant, beautiful girls full of potential.”
Her most powerful comments include:
1. "It’s completely unacceptable that we are not exercising our rights to be safe at school.”
2. "I am here to acknowledge and represent the African-American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper, whose stories don’t lead on the evening news."
3. "My friends and I might still be 11, and we might still be in elementary school but we know. We know life isn’t equal for everyone and we know what is right and wrong."
Worldover Naomi Wadler received accolades, warmth and solidarity for her comments.
Young Ms. Naomi Wadler just rocked my world and thrilled the nation said Michael Eric Dyson on a tweet. This was followed by Tessa Thompson declaring her president. "Naomi Wadler is my president," Tessa tweeted.
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