In response to your “Get a grip on Mehndi craze” (June 3 Cover): We are very offended by it.
My friend and I are both Muslims and use mehndi often. To begin with, it was very offending when you referred to the henna mixture as “smelly and icky.” In our culture the henna smell is known and appreciated. And you called the mixture “green goo,” implying that it wasn’t pleasant and somewhat dirty. Secondly, Ms. Bonne didn’t mention all the uses of mehndi. True, it is used for decorating hands during weddings, social functions and holidays. But henna originated and is still commonly used as a hair dye.
Finally you mentioned people commenting on whether you had a skin disease because of the mehndi on your hands. Mehndi is a traditional art, and it is very insulting to have someone refer to it as a skin disease.
We are very shocked to find that KidNews would write such an inconsiderate and insulting thing.
Madeeha K., 15 Tanya M., 15 America Online
Clones, no doubt
I am really sick of you guys putting in articles about No Doubt wannabe fashion, such as the mehndi tattoos and the article on bindis a couple of months ago.
Gwen Stefani isn’t the only person in the rock world with cool fashion. And anyway, I don’t get the people who want to look like someone else. I saw on TV a part of a No Doubt concert, and all the girls at the concert looked just like Gwen. It was sickening how obsessed they were.
I think people who dress like stars are dorks, and should find their own style.
K.K. Rolling Meadows
Unfair grading
I think that junior high and middle schools’ grading scales are unfair. After each quarter of the school year, honor students’ names are posted in the local newspaper. Doesn’t it seem like everyone makes honor roll? It’s because slower-learning students are given easier work and are receiving A’s and B’s.
Meanwhile, the faster students are given harder work and are receiving the same grades. Then, they all make the honor roll. I thought honor roll was a special placement for students who were exceptional in their classes.
Honor roll used to be an honor to make, but now it means nothing.
Lisa L., 13 Carol Stream
Ouch
I’m responding to “Ouch!” (June 3 Tough News ), the article on dogs biting adults and children. Did anyone think that maybe the dogs were being teased. I do understand the higher percentage, but I’m sure some of them were the owners’ doing. People get the dog mad, which drives the dog to let out its anger. Sure it is a bad way of expressing feelings, but it’s just a dog’s way of doing it.
Cate B., 13 Palos Heights
You also have to take into consideration whether or not the people or children have been teasing or aggravating the dog. I think if you were a dog, and you were being teased and aggravated you would bite the person who was driving you out of your mind.
Kelly J., 13 Palos Heights
I have had numerous dogs in the past, and I know that they can be very unpredictable. But I also know that dogs usually don’t bite people because they’re having a bad day. People will blame the dog in an instant when it bites, but very rarely will they blame themselves when they tease the dog or taunt it until it bites.
People should watch what they do to animals before they accuse them of not doing what they were trained for.
Monica H. Palos Heights
Not serious
The woman suing the president is a joke (June 3 Tough News). She’s just doing it for money and the publicity.
Jessie S., 12 Palos Park
Bouncing chance
I am glad that women basketball players are getting a chance. I plan to watch the first WNBA game Saturday, and I hope others will too. I also hope these women have the courage to stand up to all of the laughter, jeering and sarcasm they will receive. The world is starting to wake up to what “equal rights” means.
Kerry L., 13 Palos Heights
What about science?
In cheat sheet (June 3 Tough News) you talked about both the spelling bee and the geography bee, but what about the science fair? It’s more difficult and should be mentioned too!
Eric M., 13 Chicago
Music is a need
In response to Greg O. (June 3 Backtalk): Maybe you’re right that most of us won’t need music education for a job one day, but think about physical education class. Will most of us need sports knowledge for our jobs one day? No. Kids stick up for P.E. because it’s fun, and they diss music because it’s boring.
But it’s for our own good that we have some basic music education.
Nowadays all kids talk about groups like Metallica, Nirvana, the Spice Girls, Bush, etc. These groups may be important in music history someday, but so is classical music.
Jessica H., 11 Bourbonnais
Music class is not boring to me! You can maybe learn something about what you’re listening to on the radio. It may not help you in life for jobs, yet music is a talent and an art. If you also don’t like art either, then you must use more of the academic technological side of your brain.
Also, your school is lucky to actually have a music class. Most schools don’t even have a music class.
Don’t go dissin’ music class until you think of how it can affect you.
Lesley A., 12 Chicago
Vote no
In response to Hadeel S. and her stupid letter about 16-year-olds being able to vote (June 10 Backtalk): I think 16-year-olds should not be able to vote.
They obviously aren’t old enough to drive, because last year I heard some news that the driving age may be changed to 18.
Also a lot of 16-year-olds are so immature that they drink and smoke underage. I’m not saying all 16-year-olds are like this, but many are. And, anyway, every time the president comes on to make a speech or campaign ads interrupt shows we watch, do we actually sit around and listen to it? I know that I don’t.
Cheryl F., 15 Chicago
Virtual pet death
What is so special about Tamagotchis? You pay money for something that dies sooner or later.
If you lose it, it gets sick and sometimes makes beeping noises. It is even worse at school. It’s not much easier to learn with an everlasting beeping.
I have a computer program called Catz. It is just like a Tamagotchi, but is always happy and doesn’t die.
Becky B. 12, Dan W., 12 Phillip B., 10 Sam W., 8 Lincolnwood
So what
I think that this whole thing with Ellen DeGeneres is so stupid.
People are making a huge fuss just because she went on TV and said she was gay. Look at all the people in gay rights parades marching around saying they’re gay — nobody pays any attention to them. So why is Ellen getting all this fame?
Just because she’s famous she is a hero. I could come out right now and say I’m gay and nobody would care because I’m not famous.
Kevin O., 13 Oak Park
DON’T FORGET TO WRITE!
The highlight of our summer last year was the way-cool postcards we got from our vacationing readers. (Honest; it’s not like we went to Paris or Disney World or anything.) So please, send us more!
Just grab a postcard and drop us a line. (Pssst: Hotels often have free ones in the desk drawers, in case you’re broke.) We’ll do our best to print your postcard in KidNews (we’ll scratch out your last name). And don’t sweat it if your folks hand you some tacky card to use — we LIVE for tacky stuff. Just mail your card to: KidNews/5th Floor, Chicago Tribune/ 435 N. Michigan Ave./Chicago, IL 60611.Happy vacations! Don’t forget us!
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Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, 5th Floor, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611. We won’t use your last name, but you must include your full name, age and phone number (we may call to make sure you wrote it). You can also send us letters by e-mail (screen name KidNews@aol. com).
