This.....Represent, young sister!

[spicysista]

There's nothing for me to say. I'm just hoping to help Naomi shine!

[Collimator]

1. This small girl . . .

Utterly humbled me. She didn't just "speak well", she shone with sincerity and resolve. She didn't "play to the crowd" by riling them up with catchy phrases designed to stir up their fears and frustrations.

She spoke to their hearts by speaking directly from hers.

This young child is both pure-hearted and knowing.

"We know what is right and wrong" she said. Naomi Wadler has chosen the path of righteousness. She will march into the future and drag the doubters and the fearful and the narrow-minded into a better world whether they like it or not.

[spicysista]

2. "This young child is both pure-hearted and knowing."

The perfect summation. I could just barely contain my joy while watching her speak. She was magnificent!

[Collimator]

3. "I could just barely contain my joy while watching her speak."

No kidding. I keep tearing up a little thinking about her. She was earnest but not naive. I want so much for her to keep her eyes and goals clear and unclouded by cynicism.

Young women like Naomi and Emma and Edna deserve every chance to live out their potential. They need unfettered access to education, fair treatment in the workplace and control over their own bodies.

They will make wonderful mothers if they so choose, and they will also lead the world forward during what I hope will be long and healthy lives.

[qwlauren35]

4. I was going to post this.

I'm glad you beat me to it.

EVERYONE needs to see this girl.

My sister told me about her, and I raced home to see what she had to say. Last year I saw a poster of 16 girls who were missing in Washington, DC. Girls who don't make the news. Girls whose photos only get circulated by concerned friends on Facebook. Naomi spoke for them.

I have no doubt that no action will be taken, and nothing will change when it comes to African-American girls and women who are the victims of gun violence.

But at least she said what needed to be said, and people heard it. And maybe they will remember her words, or just remember her face, and her hair, and that she was 11, and had something to say. I've been to rallies. You don't always remember the words. So many people speak. And you nod and cheer, but the words don't always stick. What MIGHT stick is if someone takes Naomi's words and makes them a rallying cry for some action, and people who heard her respond and participate.

I don't know what that action will be. But my fingers are crossed. I don't want my nieces to be statistics.

[spicysista]

5. I still hold onto hope.

I can not afford to give up hope. My amazing daughter and three sons inspire me to find new hope every day. I was heartened to see parts of young Naomi's speech on many shows today and yesterday. Like you, my hope is that her words have been heard. Please, let her words stick!