I totally agree with Jennifer G. (July 6 Backtalk). The boys in my class can be so sexist sometimes. I mean, some boys are OK at letting girls do things with them. Like I’m a Marvel Comics fan and they don’t mind if I ask a question or two. But when it comes to gym or sports, they think the girls don’t know the first thing. Like when we play baseball in gym, the “macho” (yeah, right) boys always try to show off or ask if they can bat or run for us. And I think it’s totally sexist.
Joy Anne F., 11 1/2, Chicago
. . . This year, a lot of girls at my school are interested in basketball and other sports and we get treated like mud! For example, we’ll be in gym and one of the boys will say something like “Girls can’t run fast! We can beat a bunch of wimpy girls!” What really frosts me is that the girls’ teams win more than the boys’ and they won’t even admit that they are wrong! If my class is playing kickball and a girl gets a hit, all the boys boo – even the ones on her own team!
N.J.M., 10, Chicago
The boys in my class act like we’re in the ’50s! I am very good at sports but the boys always make remarks like “You’re a stupid girl!” and “Go play dolly, we don’t want you to play.” Boys think I’m stupid because I’m a blond female. I showed them at report card time, though! I think boys our age need to back off and look at who they are calling stupid and direct it at themselves instead.
Laura H., 12 Springfield, Ill.
The guys in Jennifer G.’s class are sexist but obviously they weren’t born that way. In order to understand them, you have to know where they are coming from. All boys are expected to be athletic and to be sports superstars. But when they see the girls in your class playing sports, they feel you are intruding on their God-given space and that’s why they react the way they do. They are probably afraid that if they let you play, you’ll do better than them and they’ll get a lot of ridicule from other boys or even girls. As for your science teacher, by asking the question about the kitchen, he may be encouraging the way the boys feel about the girls. Try to talk with the boys in your class and set them straight! They are obviously narrow-minded and need to hear a clear voice.
Zach W., 12, Chicago
Fashion scouts
I read in the Tribune (June 30, Style) that they are changing the uniforms for the Brownie scouts. They said they did a survey with Brownies and their parents and the Brownies said they wanted to look cute. I would like to remind the Brownies who said that, that the scouts were not founded to become a fashion show, it’s about getting around in the world and making a difference in the planet and its people. I just don’t see how you can really get into a world clean-up wearing something you are scared of getting dirt on. The picture showed a young Brownie who is smiling at the fact that she doesn’t have to wear those old uniforms. If they didn’t like the uniforms, they shouldn’t have joined. If they would rather “look cute” than make a difference in the world, they should join the fashion scouts, not the Girl Scouts. They are in scouts to benefit the earth, not the fashion industry.
K.D.W., 12 and S.J.W., 11 1/2, Chicago
Overkill
In response to your article, “Paying Back Iraq” (July 6 Tough News): I think what President Clinton did to Iraq was totally unnecessary. He fired 23 tomahawk cruise missiles and killed eight civilians for something they didn’t even do. He could have spent the money used to help pay off the national debt, to give homeless people a home or for some other worthy cause. If they had actually killed Mr. Bush, I could see a reason to do this. Since only a plan was developed, the missile action was overkill.
Will D., 11, Western Springs
Deadly practice
I think kids should know more about “huffing.” I’m going into junior high and I know kids there who do it. For kids who don’t know what huffing is, it’s when you sniff or inhale the fumes from nail polish remover, hairspray, plastic cement or other products in spray bottles. It can affect your brain and if you keep using them, it will kill you.
Kristin W., 11, Winnetka
Editor’s note: For more information on the dangers of “huffing”, see our Tough News story on page 3.
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