The day after the election, my students wanted to talk. They wanted to tell me how they were feeling and what they were thinking. I listened. Then I encouraged them to write their thoughts in a letter to America. Below are excerpts from their writing. I am hopeful as I think about the future of our country when I hear these eight year olds speak their truth and begin to discover their music inside. They matter. And they want the world to know it.

“We have to speak up and show who we are.”
–Kelvin

“We should have kids vote, like 6 year olds, seven year olds, eight, nine and ten year olds.”
–Mezaih

“We want people to not want so much power.”
–Enrique

“America needs to know who we are and what we are capable of.”
–Iyannah and Mark

“Everybody needs to have freedom.”
–Alexa

“We are all unique and that’s okay.”
–Belinda

“We have voices.”
–Evelyn