The Conversation
Kids Can Make A Change! Protest Organized By 8-Year-Old Brings Crowd Of Hundreds
As protests calling for racial equality continue around the country, even the youngest among us are using their voices to make a difference.
After attending a few protests in his community in Kirkwood, MO, eight-year-old Nolan Davis was inspired to plan his own march for children. Little did he know that hundreds of people would respond to what he had to say:
Nolan and his 5-year-old sister are both mixed race, and were adopted by Ryan and Kristin Davis.
While Kristin acknowledges the challenges of explaining systemic racism and police brutality to her children, she finds it's important to talk with them openly and have honest discussions.
Both parents have shared lessons with their children that their white friends don't need to know, like playing with water guns in the backyard "because you don't want it to get mistaken for something else," or always keep the hood of a hooded sweatshirt down so you don't look suspicious.
"We're preparing them for when they're older and taller and bigger," Kristin told CNN. "When they're not going to be perceived as cute little kids anymore."
After hearing about the death of George Floyd, who was killed while in police custody, Nolan "wanted to speak out more for the rights of people who look like him," so he made a flyer advertising his "Children's Black Lives Matter March" and posted it to Facebook to help spread the word.
Nolan said he wasn't expecting a huge turnout for the march, but when families started to gather at Kirkwood Park last Saturday, he was pleasantly surprised.
"We thought that maybe 50 people would be there," Nolan said. "But there were like 700 people."
Children and families from all backgrounds and walks of life drew hopeful messages on the sidewalks with chalk, like "Stop Racism" and "Be Kind To Everyone."
Before the march started, Nolan addressed the crowd and gave a powerful speech.
"I'm worried about Black people, like me, getting hurt. Some skin is like chocolate. Some is like vanilla. Some is mixed together like mine. But we're all people," he said through a megaphone.
Nolan, holding a homemade sign that read, "Kids Can Make A Change," led the group from the park through the neighboring shopping district. The march was supported by the local pollice.
The elementary schooler hopes that his actions will inspire other young people to do similar marches in their communities.
"Even though I'm a kid, it's important to speak my voice so people can hear me and know they can share their voice too, just like me," he said.
