I’m writing about “Jerry, Jerry, kinda scary” (Aug. 5 Cover): I think what you guys wrote about Jerry Mathers and other stars such as Fred Savage, JTT and Macaulay Culkin was absolutely terrible.
You should be ashamed. Not only did you call them ugly, but you went as far as to say they have “pitiful mugs.”
What if a kid who didn’t know any better read that and started calling people they thought were unattractive names? Just because you don’t think some actors are adorable anymore, that doesn’t mean other people don’t. I think Fred Savage and JTT are as cute as ever.
Next time, please think before you print it.
Leah Anne N., 15
Pretty is as pretty does
In response to the article “Growing up can be a pain” and “Jerry, Jerry.” (Aug. 5 Features, Cover): I think that you emphasize too much about looks. What you’re teaching kids is that how a person looks is more important than their personality.
I think the message that you are sending is way off. Kids are too wrapped up about the way they look. Some are very depressed or even commit suicide because kids make fun of the way they look. You are certainly not helping the problem at all.
You make it sound like some sort of joke -it is not a bit funny to me. It all comes back to what your parents taught you, “It’s not about the way people look, it’s what’s inside that counts.”
Jackie B., 14 Aurora
I am baffled by the outrageous way you try to draw in potential readers. Your actions are a poisonous spider, weaving a web of gossip while luring in gullible teens just waiting for a chance to pounce.
Your article on “Jerry, Jerry…” and “Growing up…” was one of the cruelest things I’d ever heard. You would think that influential professionals like yourselves who have a rare chance of sharing messages would write a piece even somewhat important and with reliable sources of information behind it.
One week you’re trying to pretend you’re into helping the homeless animals and becoming a “concerned citizen” and then the next issue you’re bashing the looks and outside facade of some of the nation’s most popular teen idols. Why don’t you stick with America’s important issues and just print what is acceptable?
Jessica B., 13 Aurora
Slang slingin’
In response to Amber W. (Aug. 12 Backtalk): If you say that almost all the letters in Backtalk are not well-thought out or use a lot of slang, then you’re trippin’. If you spent one day outside of your imaginary world, then you would know that is the way we talk nowadays.
If you can’t get it through your head, then why are you reading Backtalk, since it is for the teenagers of this country?
As for the fact that some adults read it both of my parents read it, and a lot of the time they are in agreement with the opinions. If you are going to trash talk the slang used in the page, then you need to get out in the real world and listen to the way real teenagers talk.
Tamara S., 14 Wildwood, Ind.
I’ve been reading this section for a few years, and what I’ve noticed is that almost all of the writers are a sorry bunch of whining pansies.
It’s not an opinion column anymore: It’s a war zone! Kids write in bad-mouthing each other and forcing their own pitiful thoughts on everyone else through insults, bad words and dumb statements like: “Spice Girls suck!”
You lot of losers need to get some lives. This is agreed upon by many of my friends.
Jeff E., 14 Glen Ellyn
Give us a break
I am responding to Phineas S. and Hermia A. (Aug. 5 Backtalk) about having school year round. I’m totally against it. For one thing, your summer sounds like that of a prison. Plus, you aren’t being forced to watch TV.
The world doesn’t revolve around you or anyone else. You’re still kids, and you should take advantage of that, because there is no “summer vacation” when you grow up and get a job.
Eric M., 13 Wilmette
I really disagree about school being open during the summer.
Don’t just think about yourself. What about the teachers? Don’t you think they work hard enough grading your papers and tests? And they don’t even get the full time off. They have to plan about next year.
Louis T., 12 Bob K., 12 Hinsdale
Phineas S. and Hermia A., get a life! Think about it, not everybody is happy and safe in school. Lots of kids hate school and look forward to vacations. And think about the kids who get pushed around by bullies. Do you think they love school?
Also, is your school air conditioned? Ours isn’t, and 375 hot and sweaty kids is not a pretty sight (or smell)!
Erin G., 12 Ashleigh P., 12 Lake Bluff
No excuses
I think that President Clinton should not apologize for slavery. How did our country grow to what it is today? By people apologizing for wrongs? No. Our country grew from learning from our mistakes.
Caitlin S., 12 America Online
Slavery is one of the great injustices our nation has seen. But Clinton was not the one who started or ended slavery.
Truthfully, even Lincoln didn’t care about freeing the slaves. He said in one of his speeches that his concern was to preserve the Union. If it meant freeing the slaves, OK. But if he could preserve it without freeing them, then that’s what he would do.
Slavery will always be a part of our history that haunts us, but Clinton was not responsible at all. The best apology he could give would be to issue benefits to heirs of slaves.
R.B., 14 St. Charles
Barbie, the bomb
I think that it’s really cool how you wrote about a Collectible Barbie. (Aug. 12 Features). I LUV those collectible ones, they are so awesome! And $60 counts as one of the lower-priced Collector’s and Limited Edition Barbies.
If you go to any Toys R Us, they have great display cases of Barbies. Most of them are around $100. I think they have a right to be, because they are intricately made and designed by many famous original artists.
If you go to www.barbie.com, you will see why I’m crazy about Barbies.They show all of the recent collectors Barbies.
Cassie J. America Online
Groovin’ on Lilith
I’m surprised that no one in Backtalk has mentioned the Lilith Fair. It is a big thing for girls who like music by Sarah McLaughlin, Paula Cole, Meredith Brooks, Fiona Apple and a lot more.
Sarah O., 11 Worth
Fair and square
I think that Andrew W. (“Singled out,” Aug. 12 Tough News) is correct. I think that black people, gay people and so on should not have special parades, months, etc. I think that these parades cause more hatred than acceptance.
I always hear my friends making fun of things like the Million Man March, the gay pride parade, Black History Month and so on.
It makes the majority angry at the minority. I don’t understand why we all can’t just be American and nothing more.
Chris C. Park Ridge
We have holidays honoring other cultures because of the historic belief that white men were the only beings of any importance, which is definitely not true.
We have come a long way, but it still seems that other races are discriminated against. Having a celebration of their own is a way to gather together and celebrate their culture.
Caroline H., 12 Lake Forest
