In response to Liz (Dec. 23 Cover), I don’t know if you understand: Your wish will never come true. There might be peace in the Middle East, but that’s not near. The city of Chicago might do something to stop the drugs and crime, but that, too, is not near.
We kids won’t grow up to have a clean, peaceful world. And nothing we can do can make a difference. Yes, you can pick up trash in your neighborhood or plant some trees and flowers in the empty lot nearby, but none of that will get us a loving, clean, peaceful world when we grow up.
The one scary thought that’s going through my head is this: We’ll be the generation to blow up the world. Either that or our children. In the future, we’ll have more germ warfare, nuclear bombs, etc., and it will be us who destroys this world.
So love it while you can, and take care of it while you can, because it’s not going to be this pretty when our generation takes the place of Hitler or those oil companies in the rain forests.
Kate M., 12 Barrington
Peace impossible
I am responding to Amy (Jan. 6 Backtalk) and Liz concerning world peace. Yeah, world peace is a nice thought. But I think that that’s all it’s going to be. No matter how many “world letters” you send out, we are not going to have world peace. I don’t want to sound negative, but think about it. We kids like to argue with our friends, parents, brothers, etc. (and of course, TAKE REVENGE!). Now, this is NOT a main cause of worldwide strife, but it certainly can contribute.
What started World War I? Revenge. The Civil War? People who couldn’t agree. We are NOT living in a perfect world. Wouldn’t it be kind of scary if the whole world stopped fighting, if everyone “got along”? Well, that’s just my opinion (and from what I can tell, everyone’s is different).
Rachel S. Itasca
In response to Liz, you had a very strong letter. Saying it would do no good was completely wrong. Look at the difference it has already made. Look at the attention it got! If you asked me, I would say it did plenty good.
Aubre A., 14 Crystal Lake
Get normal
I would like to say something about video games. I will give you an example of why I despise certain video games that are “for teens.” My class was on a trip to the Art Institute last year, and while we were at the Hindu art section, we ran into a group of high school boys. They couldn’t even handle a nude sculpture of a goddess.
Anyway, many of the Japanese video games have a male audience because either girls don’t care or, like me, understand that if you were exploring anywhere in a hot climate, you would not wear a skin-tight tank top, and you would definitely – even if you enjoy being soaked in sweat -not wear shorts that are just a bit longer than underwear because of scorpions (which I know for a fact because my mom worked on an archeological dig in the desert).
Even if clothes on female characters were a bit looser, they’d still be drawn by men. I know that many male artists are talented, but with the making of video games comes certain ideas: Women can’t look normal, they should look as if they have balloons in their shirts, they should be supermodel thin, etc.
Sarah W., 12
In my opinion…
First, Sarah W. (Dec. 6 Backtalk): RACISM IS NO JOKE and should not be taken lightly, although I do agree that it might be taken lightly in the future. Still, it is NOT A JOKE in any way.
Second, Jacob H. (Jan. 6 Backtalk), I’m sure that Warheads candy wasn’t named so that kids would think they could blow things up with them. I am sure the company just thought the name was COOL. We as a society think that when products are made with those kinds of names that it causes violence. Now, it may be a different name, but most kids know better than to try to blow something up with a piece of candy. I do agree that Warheads are very tasty, though.
Third, to Dawn B. (Jan. 6 Backtalk): Girl, you are right on about dating. Boys do come and go. I should know, I am one. And besides, you should not be in a hurry at such a young age. You do not really know what love is. At that age (5th grade), boys and girls should have cooties and stuff. So don’t be in a hurry. You still have the rest of your life.
Owen S., 14 Chesterton, Ind.
Killer candy?
I am responding to all the people who wrote in about the issue of violence. With TV, toys, and violence… come on, people! Do you buy a Ninja action figure and go kick your sibling? And the issue about the Warheads. Please!! No one is gonna go killing people because of a piece of candy!! TV might give a message, but as much as you don’t want to believe it, kids have common sense! They know not to go shoot people with guns or do Ninja action seriously. Violence is an issue, but some people take it too far.
Colleen K., 13
I am writing in response to Jacob H. of Skokie. He said that the candy company who makes Warheads should change the name because “it promotes violence.” He cited the Washington Wizards as an example, because they changed their name from the Bullets to the Wizards. May I point out that both of these names (Warheads and Bullets) are METAPHORS. Metaphors don’t start wars and promote violent behavior. Actions do.
Katy J., 14 South Elgin
Dating rules
People have dated in my school since 1st grade, and I don’t see anything wrong with it, and I never have. I’m in 5th grade, and I don’t care if people date. If I was asked out, I’d say yes, if it were a group date (Mom’s rules), but since no one has, I gotta live with it, don’t I?
I don’t think people should be against dating young. It’s just not necessary. People follow their parents’ dating rules, and that’s how everything goes. So if they can date young and they want to, they should go ahead and do so.
M.T.
Gun controversy
I’m writing in response to Marc A. (Jan. 6 Backtalk). I was sorry to hear about your two uncles. However, guns do not kill people, people do. Gun control laws are simply going to make it harder for honest citizens to get a gun for sport or protection. Criminals probably get their guns illegally anyhow.
Also, we have a constitutional right to bear arms, something that should never be taken away. And as for kids being killed by guns, the answer is education. If a parent is going to have a gun in the house, educate your child to handle and respect it properly.
Mike H., 13
I agree with Marc that gun laws should be made stricter. But I also believe that people should just take better care of their guns. It would not be hard to lock up guns or put trigger locks on them. These simple acts could save many lives.
Adults sometimes think that just putting guns out of reach or hiding them is enough. What they don’t realize is that we’re smarter than they think. We can find things when they’re hidden and stand on a chair to reach things. Also, adults should make it a habit to always have their guns unloaded while at home.
Just last weekend, a 14-year-old boy at my school was cleaning his gun. He thought it was empty, but it wasn’t. The gun went off and he died of a gun-shot to the head. Because of an accident involving a gun, we lost a fellow student, and most importantly, we lost a friend.
Concerned in St. Charles
Wise up in ’98
I so totally agree with Dree E. (Jan. 6 Backtalk). The year 1997 was really bad for me. The world lost Mother Teresa and Princess Diana in a six-week period. Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down, and all those people who liked him (I don’t happen to be one of them) were shocked and amazed. It makes me think about Lincoln’s death. I also lost a family member during the summer. I got in debt and lost a lot of friends (by fighting).
People think it’s so RIGHT to fight and kill and be involved with violence. Grow up!
Bill
War of words
I’m sickened by how swearing has become more common among kids. Kids that live by me only respect me by not swearing in front of me because of my outside appearance. What about kids that are made fun of for not swearing just because they’re overweight or aren’t what other kids want them to be.
Kids who swear should be smart enough to know that swearing doesn’t make them “cool” or “popular.” It just makes them look like they aren’t smart enough to use normal words.
Stephanie B., 14 West Chicago
In response to Jacob S. (Dec. 9 Backtalk): First, it never ceases to amaze me how many people like you make judgments on things that they haven’t seen, read, etc. Second, of course “Beavis & Butt-head” is pointless, but it’s funny. It just conveys a sense of gross humor that the “MTV Generation” is used to. Third, swears are simply part of society. That’s just the way it is. If you say to someone you see that they shouldn’t swear, they’ll tell you to go to … well, never mind. And finally, B&B aren’t going anywhere. Producer Mike Judge isn’t making any new episodes, but the reruns will be shown. And he’s thinking of making a sequel to the movie.
Nick H., 15 Morton Grove
`Good’ man hard to find
I was just writing in to correct Hayley (Jan. 6 Backtalk). She was talking about Jamie Kennedy and how he had a small part in “As Good As It Gets.” I was just writing in to say that he doesn’t, but “Scream” cast member Skeet Ulrich (Billy) does.
Also, I want to know if you could try to do a story soon on Leonardo DiCaprio, because I think he is sooooo cute.
Bye!
Kacy R., 11
———-
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).
