Dear Editor:
Have you ever noticed in advertisements for games on commercials that the boys always seem to win? Unless they’re advertising something like “Pretty, Pretty Princess,” which mostly girls play. It might be a case of prejudice. But on the other hand, people might think that boys are more energetic in saying, “I win!” But that couldn’t be right. We think that girls should have the same opportunities as boys do, even when it comes to little things like commercials.
K.M. and K.K., 10, Winnetka
Every day, our nation is becoming more violent for us kids to live in. Every day, innocent kids are getting caught in gangster fights and getting killed. Young kids who witness a murder grow up thinking it’s OK to kill. The ones who are responsible for this are the adults. They are setting bad examples.
I think Mr. Bill Clinton has to do something about the violence in our country. I don’t think the Brady bill is enough. I think he should close down the gun stores and collect and donate them to the state militia. Elvin Y., 13, Lincolnwood
TOUGH ISSUE
I’d really appreciate if you published this. It is kind of an adult topic, but many of my friends and I feel very strongly about the issue of abortion.
Why should women be able to brutally kill their children? If they did this after the baby was born, it would make headlines, and she’d get a hefty jail sentence.
There is a thing called adoption. There are plenty of good parents ready to adopt. Doesn’t the Constitution guarantee everyone the right to LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
Liz H., 13, Calumet City
DRUGS LEGAL? NOT!
I think Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders has a very stupid idea. If we make drugs legal, then I think more people will buy them. She said it would lower crime. Yeah, right!! In a million years, if the world lasts that long. People will still do drugs no matter what, because they’re addicted. Jackie D., 10, Chicago
B&B BITS
In response to Ryan G. (Jan. 18 Backtalk), Beavis & Butt-head are OK, but what about when we heard that the kid burned his house down because he was watching “Beavis & Butt-head”?
My brother and I watch the show, and my parents agree with it, but we don’t watch the show that much, only once in a great while. My brother is only 9 years old, and he is watching it, too. The show is really stupid and dumb, but it is OK.
If the parents want their kids to watch “Beavis & Butt-head,” then the parents will turn it on. If they don’t want them to watch the show, then they won’t turn it on. My cousins are ages 10 and 8, and they watch it every day of the week because their parents say it’s OK. They don’t do anything to their apartment.
Ryan, I am right and I am not saying anyone is wrong, because I agree with your letter, and I still think little kids should not watch the show, because they could do a bad thing to their house. You have to think about that, Ryan. They could burn the house down, or shoot a gun at their parents, or their sister or brother.
Nicole T., 13, Chicago
“Beavis & Butt-head” is not a show that children should be watching. They aren’t the type of role models that kids should have. I cannot stand to even watch that show, with swear words, violence and all.
Many kids are against TV violence, but most of them love to watch this stupid show. Sure, it might be funny to you. But would it still be funny when you’re lying dead because of it? …If all of you Beavis & Butt-head fans think you’re so smart, than why are you watching a dumb show?
Jillian K., 10, Elk Grove Village
Kids should be smart enough not to mimic television. If that kid was dumb enough to copy what 1/8Beavis & Butt-head 3/8 did, he shouldn’t have been watching them. Kids that age should be watching stuff like “Sesame Street” and Barney, not “Beavis & Butt-head.”
David H., 10, Skokie
TOO HOT
You guys are all looking at how heated up the Earth can get. Well, I’ve got news for you. The Greenhouse Effect can and probably will cause an ice age if it is there for long enough. When the Earth heats up, it melts the ice bit by bit,and that includes the glaciers. It’ll start raining a lot, and the clouds will trap the heat in, but also keep it out. So we’re gonna cool down after we heat up.
There was also a study made that said since ozone gas is mostly made above the tropics, and there is a very strong wind above the North Pole, that ozone hole up there may be natural.
I’m not saying that I don’t think we ought to stop cutting down the rainforests and killing lots of the animals. All I’m saying is look a little bit closer before you leap.
Liz S., 13, University Park
THE RIGHT CROWD?
I’m a 4th grader, and I’ve gone to the same school since I was 5 years old. I’m an A student and don’t hang out with the `popular groups.’ Here’s why: Those kids are mean. They say they’re your friends, then they laugh at you, make fun of you and criticize you behind your back, and even to your face! It annoys me when they do it to me, but it hurts and makes me angry when they do it to others. I have an idea. Why don’t we try something new? Why don’t we try being nice and do what God had in mind. In other words, treat others the way you want to be treated!
Gwendolyn M., 10, Antioch
SHARE SOME BLAME
I’m responding to Jamie G.’s letter (Jan. 11 Backtalk). I agree with many of the points that she made, but I don’t agree with her when she said, “Adults have been messing up our world.” That’s not true.
It’s true that adults are doing part of it, but look at all the youth gang members and other youths that are carrying guns to school and doing graffiti on houses, garages, etc.
There are innocent bystanders getting killed from gang wars. In order for the gangs to stop this stupid violence, they need to unite and become one. I feel that if (gangs in Los Angeles) can do it, so can all the other gangs, and all the races can do it, too.
So until it happens, the parents and teachers must teach the younger kids to stay straight and to make goals and reach them. We can also start by teaching this to our little brothers and sisters to do the right thing.
Chris J., 14 Brookfield
I totally agree with Jamie G. I also believe we must take control of our future. One thing Jamie didn’t say was how important the environment is. It will affect us, our children and our children’s children.
The ozone layer is disappearing at an alarming rate. We may never find a way to fix the huge holes. Every time we cut down a tree in the rainforest, we decrease the chances of finding a cure for AIDS or other diseases.
The largest problem is not the ozone layer or the decreasing size of the rainforest; it’s that adults don’t take it seriously!
I believe if we want a better future for our generation, and generations to come, we have to take matters in our own hands. Christina A., 13, Oak Brook
SAY ANYTHING?
I’ve been reading Backtalk, and I have been noticing some things that are maybe overlooked by 1/8the KidNews 3/8 staff. I see some words like “suck” and “heck.” For some other younger kids, I don’t think these words are too appropriate.
Here’s a suggestion: You should read the articles and delete any words that are inappropriate. Replace them with words that are strong but not like “suck.”
Even though that’s a negative, there are many positive things in the section. I read the newspaper, but everything is about adults. Your section provides me with information on kids’ problems. It makes me aware of what’s out there, good or bad.
Keep up the good work!
Doug H., 11, Ridgewood, N.J.
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