They say that kids today are weak and scared of everything
That we need to just toughen up a little
We are the children born into the world of 9/11
And shelter in place drills every month since we were learning shapes in kindergarten
We were raised to be so ******* scared of the world
That most of us have trouble getting through the day
Depression and anxiety levels are higher than ever in children
And all any adult can say is how much “we’re on those **** phones”
School is harder than it ever has been
I have not gone a week without hearing how “college classes are going to be hard so I need to get used to it” since sixth grade
And parents get mad when their kid cries over homework because we should just “**** it up, it's not that bad”
And after hearing that again and again they stop telling their parents any of their feelings
Then when they lay motionless in bed with an empty pill bottle in their hands and the parents are mad because “ well how was I supposed to know they were so sad”
Everyday on the news is a new school shooting
Or the possibility of nuclear war
So yes
We are scared
We are terrified  
But you made us this way
And we are supposed to respect our elders