(addressing the town council)
I wasn’t here three years ago, when tragedy struck this town. And I know it’s not my place to mourn the lives that were lost because I didn’t know them. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t think about them every day. Like a lot of students at Bomont, I see those pictures every day at school. And each time I see their faces, I think of how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken from us. I know this firsthand… in my own way. And three years ago, nearly a dozen laws were introduced to this council in order to protect the children of Bomont. And most of these laws, I can see, as a parent, how they make sense to you. But my right to dance… when I want, where I want, and how I want is a right that you cannot take away! It is mine. See, we don’t have that much time left. All us teenagers, pretty soon we’re gonna be just like you. We’re gonna have jobs, and bills, and families. And we’re gonna have to worry about our own children, because that is the job of a parent. To worry. I get that. But outs, as teenagers, is to live! To play our music way too loud and to act like idiots! And to make mistakes. Aren’t we told in Psalm 149: “Praise the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song. And let them praise his name in the dance.” Now if anybody else brought their bible, like I did, will you please turn it into the Book of Samuel, 6:14. “David… David danced before the Lord with all his might, leaping and dancing before the Lord.” Celebrating his love of God and celebrating his love of life. With what? With dancing! That’s all we’re doing here. Ecclesiastes assures us, “There is a time for each purpose under heaven. There’s a time to weep. There’s a time to mourn. And there is a time to dance.” And this is our time! There was once a time for that law, but not anymore. Thank you.
