Dear Editor:
I noticed in several articles (in Aug. 3 Backtalk) that the adjective “fat” was used to create an unattractive image. I am slightly overweight, and my friends and family think I am gorgeous, not to mention the innumerable stares from the opposite sex! The “perfect body” is unattainable because it doesn’t exist. That old cliche is right – looks aren’t everything. So, please, on behalf of all the not-so-perfect bodies, next time you think of generalizing “fat” as ugly, you ought to re-evaluate what is truly unattractive – a narrow mind.
Anne L., 14, Mt. Prospect
A bad trip
We took your suggestion and went to visit Planet Hollywood yesterday. Not only were we unable to check out the goods, but we were also treated rudely when we told them that KidNews had said we were able to visit without eating. The host told us that the information in the paper was wrong.
Anne and Judy V., Sarah and Nora S., Palos Heights
Editor: We asked Planet Hollywood’s public relations manager Amy Sadowski what the story was, and she told us that most times of day people can wander around the place, but when it gets crowded at meal times, they limit attendance to paying customers. She added, “I’m mortified that the people were treated rudely” and promised to get on the staff about it.
Racial openness
I read an article in the Chicago Tribune called “Soul Exchange.” It said that “white kids who want to be black see fashion as a way into African culture.” I think that it’s great people are trying to be like other people and they are not letting race stop them. “Wiggers . . . have taken a racial slur, reworked it and come up with a word that is not an insult, just a description.” But there are also black kids who want to be white kids. They call themselves “blites.” And I think that it’s awesome. Decrease discrimination, increase Soul Exchange.
Sarah-Ann J., 12 1/2, South Side
Hot blooded
I’m responding to two letters in July 2 Backtalk, titled `Call them Billary’ and `Barking back.’ Wrong, wrong, wrong! To the first letter, Bill Clinton is not doing well at all (good job on assassinating that building, Bill). It doesn’t help him that Hillary is acting more like a vice president than Al Gore. If we wanted her in office, we would have elected her. As for `Barking back,’ do you need a lesson in government? Clinton’s salary is not his own money; it is the taxpayers’ money. Plus, if I remember correctly, Clinton was the guy who said he wanted to cut down on the government’s wasteful spending. I’ll understand if you don’t print my letter because my views aren’t exactly politically correct. Oh well. I’m a full-blooded Republican.
Anamaria, 15, Chicago
P.S. Clinton’s approval rating is the lowest of the presidents. It’s about 43 percent.
Gas station blues
Recently, I’ve begun working at a local gas station as a cleanup person every other day. When I first began this job, I was totally amazed at what pigs people can be. Everyday I do a “litter check” around the station, and there is garbage everywhere, from candy wrappers to old parts of cars. Just yesterday, when I was sweeping, a man threw his cigar out the window of his car – even after seeing me sweeping! Places like gas stations are there for your convenience and benefit, not for your personal garbage dump.
Jennifer L., 12, Spring Grove
Forget helping Bosnia
I just heard that the United States is going to send help to Bosnia. I think this is stupid because we already have problems with the Midwest flood. Damages are already estimated to be $9 billion! I don’t think our country can afford to send troops to Bosnia.
K.C.D., 13, Tinley Park
Unfair to Willy
I’m responding to Joe C. (Aug. 3 Backtalk). I think Joe is totally right. I mean, they trained Willy and took him out of the ocean. I totally don’t want to see it. To do the scenes over and over again isn’t letting this whale have freedom.
Becky S., 9 3/4, Deerfield
The reason they put Keiko in such a small tank was probably to show that keeping whales in tanks (no matter how big) is not enough to fulfill their needs. OK, so maybe they did exaggerate a little, but maybe they just wanted to make sure they got their point across. Besides, it’s not like they kept Keiko there all the time, just for the movie. You said, “People should concentrate on saving whales.” Well, not enough people do; that’s the reason they made “Free Willy.”
Vivian C., 12 1/2, Naperville
On the other hand . . .
People always talk about saving the environment, but by the time anything bad happens we’ll all be dead, so why worry about it? Why should we care about some stupid orca whales when they have no effect on how we live? I saw “Free Willy” (it was dumb). Why worry about stupid things like pollution and rain forests when there are more important things in life, like if the Bulls will 4-peat.
Paul D., 12, Naperville
Sweet dreams
This is in response to Margaret M. (July 27 Backtalk). She said Walt Disney was sexist because Prince Charming fell in love with Snow White because she was pretty. For one thing, Snow White was written hundreds of years ago by the Brothers Grimm. Secondly, in a world with wackos, psychos and mass murders, most people find love at first sight to be old-fashioned, romantic and charming. I sure do. Maggie, my dear, you must have the heart of a rock if you expect us to give up a childhood fantasy (which has kept many of us from teetering over the brink of madness) because you find it degrading. Can’t we all forget feminism for once and just dream?
Sarah W., 14, Hinsdale
In response to Margaret M., you should know that when I was young, I read a story called “Sleeping Ugly” where a lovely princess and an ugly girl both fell asleep, but the prince only woke the ugly girl because she was frozen smiling.
Aud D., 11, Oak Park
Margaret replies
In response to all those people who wrote back to me (specifically Erin S.)(Aug. 3), about escaping into your own world – and Prince Charming falling in love with her because she had all of those characteristics, did he know all that stuff when he kissed her? Not on your life! He kissed her because she was pretty, and, I admit, that wasn’t a problem back then. But now it is. . . . The queen’s mirror talked only about being fair, fair as in beauty. Did some reflection of a cruel being know anything about a young girl’s personality?. . . I don’t have anything against Walt Disney, but the next time you watch one of the “classics,” make sure you consider all the points. You may surprise yourself.
Margaret M., 12, North Side
Stupid, scary and sad
I would just like to say I cannot believe 93 people got killed in July alone. Plus a baby got kidnapped from a hospital in Cook County. Come on, people! Why would anyone want to kill somebody? So what if they have better hair than you? Get a perm; don’t kill them. If your best friend takes your boyfriend away, don’t kill them – find a new boyfriend. I live in Indiana, and there are about 100 deaths a year here. Something is really wrong. Please stop violence.
Kathryn B., 12, South Bend, Ind.
C’mon get happy
I am writing in response to Tahnia D. (who said some KidNews articles are “lame” in Aug. 3 Backtalk): Honey, I know some people who are into the ’90s. New products are in, sweetie. A lot of people like change and accept it. Stop living in the ’60s with your “lame” vocabulary. You sound like a member of the Partridge Family.
Julieanna W., 12 3/4, Chicago
Who wears short shorts?
In response to Kristin W. (Aug. 3 Backtalk), I cannot understand what you are concerned about! My middle fingertips reach a little above the middle of my thigh! You would wear shorts above that? That is a little short, don’t you think? I mean, at my school we have to wear shorts to our knees or below! But jumbo shorts are in, so not a lot of people mind. So why don’t you get a pair of jumbos instead of mini Daisy Dukes?
Nora M., 11 and Brenna R., 12, Chicago
P.S. I really liked the cartoons for Aug. 3. “Adam” and “Mary & Eldon” were really funny, and I also like the new one, “Sherman’s Lagoon.”
Two brave girls
This letter is to Nancy (the subject of our Aug. 3 Tough News story on disabled kids): Don’t worry, Nancy. You are not alone in your struggles with everyday life. I, too, have cerebral palsy. And like you, it affects my legs. But unlike you, it doesn’t bother me when kids ask questions because then I know they care enough to want to know about and understand the problem instead of staring and making fun of me. I was diagnosed as having cerebral palsy when I was 2 years old. Since then, I have had three operations to correct my disability. They all have helped but not corrected it completely. I think you are very brave and courageous to talk to the newspaper about your disability.
Bethany H., 12, Berkeley
Never again
In Rebekah T.’s letter (Aug. 3 Backtalk), she said people have changed. I disagree. People have not changed! Racism and bigotry still exist. Yes, the Holocaust happened 45 years ago. But don’t we still have Memorial Day and Veterans Day for soldiers who died in the war or were in wars years ago? A very smart person once said, “If we forget history, we are doomed to repeat it.” That is why Jews commemorate Yom Hashaoah – to tell the world, “Never again!”
Amanda M., 11, Homewood
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