An Open Letter to David Hogg

First, I want to caution people. Don't:

• Photoshop him into Nazi regalia, or imply that his raised-fist gesture is intended to be evocative of the Nazi salute.
• Respond with ridicule or shaming - he is, after all, just a kid, and one who likely is still suffering the aftereffects of having been in near-proximity to a horrific atrocity.
• Engage on his level - yes, his rhetoric is overblown, his speech is both impassioned and - often - over-the-top. Keep in mind - YOU are the adult. It is up to you to model adult behavior.

Having said that, I would also say - do NOT apologize to the whiny little brat for any "pain" you might have "caused".

He hurts?

So what?

If you're LIVING, you're gonna experience some pain in life. NO ONE is exempt. And, NO ONE'S experience gives them a pass on behaving decently - which, actively working to TAKE AWAY SOMEBODY'S LIVING is NOT.

Now - what would I like him to hear?

1. Those that disagree with you, David, are NOT "Child murderers" anxious to see people die. That's wrong to say, and you should fairly be reprimanded for stating such a thing. You really need to start ratcheting back the emotional, overstated speech. May I suggest, instead:
1. Find 3 main points you want to make (Three works. More than that at a time, and none of your points get across).
2. Make those points as unemotionally as you can. I know, it's tough to keep it down. You keep tearing up and getting a lump in your throat (contrary to what people say, real men DO cry). It helps if you practice the speech until you can deliver it without getting choked up.
3. Watch the language - you will alienate many people who might otherwise support you, if you say things like "When your old-ass parent is like, ‘I don’t know how to send an iMessage,’ and you’re just like, ‘Give me the fucking phone and let me handle it.’ Sadly, that’s what we have to do with our government; our parents don’t know how to use a fucking democracy, so we have to". It's demeaning. It's beneath you. It ignores the face that parents may not have command of every feature of their cells, but they have expertise in other things. What mastering the cell means is that you have a LOT of time to do so - something many adults cannot do, because they use those hours to put a roof over their kids' heads.
4. Detach from the activist group as much as you can. Give yourself some downtime. Shoot a few basketballs, play a video game. The cause will be there when you return. However, if you keep at it without a break, you WILL burn out. That means that your plan to drop school and focus on activism is NOT A GOOD IDEA.
5. Don't become known just for this one event. You want to have a career in broadcasting; you clearly have some talent. Work on projects NOT associated with the shooting. You don't want to be a one-trick pony.
2. Spend some time learning about the other side. Meet some NRA members, individually, or in small groups. Talk to them about why they feel it important to own guns. Talk to those who oppose gun control on Constitutional grounds, and find out what their arguments are.
3. Don't go on camera again until you can repeat the opposition arguments, and back them up with some evidence. Only then can you begin the process of rebuttal. Otherwise, you're slinging words against an imaginary enemy. Not effective, nor fair. They are the political opposition, not the Evil Child-Hating Enemy.
4. Find out more about the people who are supporting you. Where do they get their money? What is their background? Who pays for their mortgage? Can they verify what they say with some evidence?

I hope you take some of this advice. I may oppose some of your positions, but I truly want you to do well in life. Unfortunately, those who blindly follow the activist Left seldom do.

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