Timothy – I think it is important to distinguish between the reporting of the protest and the actual protest itself. Yes, there is a paucity of real local news as should be expected. I know and understand that. It is why so much seemingly trivial “news” gets published in the first place.
My point is that protest for the sake of awareness is misguided when the events that spawned it are already so well known. Civil protests of underreported events (i.e. bus boycotts in Montgomery, Alabama to raise NATIONAL awareness of common, everyday, ongoing racial discrimination) are far different than a “We, too” protest of a national tragedy. It would be much more newsworthy to have read a story about a “teach-in” about the causes of school violence and what can be done on a LOCAL level to minimize the chances of a similar tragedy happening here. I reiterate my earlier points, including my understanding of and acceptance of why the students felt compelled to protest. The teachers may have missed a real opportunity.
Long ago my fellow fourth graders and I, under the direction of our teachers, made signs and marched around the neighborhood to raise awareness of an upcoming local election. Learning how to protest/raise awareness is simple and anyone can do it. But learning to think about and discuss complex issues is important and relevant as that is the education’s primary mission. That was wasn’t evidenced in the story. If that occurred and wan’t reported, then shame on paper.