Picture this: An 8-year-old girl is having her friend over to play. They decide it would be funny to go in a closet and scare the girl’s parents when they come inside. Meanwhile, her father hears them in the closet and thinks it’s a burglar. He very quietly goes into his room and gets out his handgun. BANG! He fires into the closet, thinking he’s getting the robber. But when he looks inside, he doesn’t see a criminal, he sees his daughter, bleeding to death. As he holds his little girl in his arms, she whispers her last words: “I love you, Daddy.”
That would be a sad enough story if it wasn’t true, but unfortunately, it is. Each year, more and more people (and children) are being killed by guns. There are people who say that everyone should own a gun “to protect themselves.” That’s ridiculous! Do these people know that a gun kept in your house is 10 times more likely to accidentally kill you or someone you know than it is to protect you against someone who’s really dangerous? “Sure,” those people might say, “but if you keep it locked up, then nobody will get hurt by it.” In the case of someone breaking into your house, would you really have that much time to unlock the gun? And even if you did, how would you know for sure that you’re not shooting at a friend or family member by accident? And accidents will ALWAYS happen, no matter how careful you are. The only way to be sure that nobody will be accidentally shot with your gun is to not own a gun.
There are people who don’t know about these scary statistics. Or maybe they just don’t care. But after hearing that you or someone you love is more likely to be killed by a handgun that is LEGALLY owned by a law-abiding person, would you want to take that risk? I sure wouldn’t.
— Jamie C., 15
Sick of it? Rebel
I’m writing in response to Sharon X. [Sept. 19 Backtalk]. Not everyone judges on appearance. I mean, most people do; I guess everyone does somewhat. But you have to learn to just stop caring about it. I’m not saying get fat and never take a shower, but just dress the way you feel, not the way you’re expected to. The other thing is, if you’re so sick of it, rebel against it. Do crazy things with your hair and style. You should surprise people. Don’t dress how you’re expected to. And believe it or not, you’ll impress people — just other people.
— Maura L., 14
Don’t diss dissection
In response to V.M. [Sept. 19 Backtalk], I agree that it really isn’t necessary to have junior high or even high school kids dissect real animals. For their purposes, a computer model would be just fine. But you said, “You wouldn’t cut up humans, would you?” Human cadavers are cut up every day. Scientists dissect for research purposes. By studying dead bodies, there have been great advances in the treatments of some diseases. Obviously, a doctor can’t see how a certain disease affects the inside of a person’s (or animal’s) body until the body is opened. By understanding the effects, treatments are developed. So don’t be so quick to diss dissection. Its results just might save your life.
— Bridget G., 15
Two-faced friends
I’m a freshman this year, and I’m also considered part of the “popular” group. I’m new to this clique, because I used to be sort of dorky a few years ago. From being on two different sides of the social scene, I have learned a lot about people.
Since I’ve been accepted by the so-called popular people, I get more respect from my peers. That is great, and I return that respect. But other popular people aren’t so respectful. Maybe it’s because we are new in high school, but now all these friends I have are becoming more and more conceited. If you talk about a new person, the first question is if the person is pretty or handsome. Everyone in their eyes has flaws, and those flaws need to be shared and joked about. But when you are actually talking to that person you were just making fun of, they are still your friend. Everyone is back-stabbing everyone else.
I think everyone is equal and should be treated as equals. But people are so unaccepting of difference. Teens strive to be accepted by others before they even accept themselves.
Just be yourself. Don’t be fake to impress. Talk to that person who is standing alone in the hall, and never judge anyone by their appearance. You never know how many friends you can make once you open your mind to others.
— Laura, 14
Animal advocate
It really surprises me how few people know about animal testing. Companies do it, and millions of animals are killed because of it. But not only do we test on animals, we kill them for their skins or fur (over 100 million animals are killed each year for leather, which we turn into bags, clothes, etc.). We also hunt, which serves absolutely no purpose. (Who really needs a deer head on the wall or a bear-skin rug?)
— Kava T., 13
Scrap scooters
I disagree with Alex J. [Sept. 5 Backtalk]. I think the whole scooter craze is really stupid. I have seen so many fads and crazes come in and out. For example, when I was little, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were the big fad. Then it was trolls, Beanie Babies, Pokemon, etc.
I am guessing that by sometime next year, kids will forget that they even had scooters.
— Evan L., 14
Free thinker
I agree with Jenny K. [Sept. 5 Backtalk]. I don’t think people should tell us what to think. But that’s what some people do. They state their opinion and then expect everyone to agree with them. I was asking myself the same question yesterday in school. A teacher had said something about music we listen to. She said that “the children of today are going bad.” She was blaming everyone’s problems on music, literature, etc. How do we establish what is right and what is not? By facts? Nope, obviously, since it can’t be proved, if it’s an opinion. So why do they blame stuff we read and listen to? Because they need to blame something.
I believe we need some guidelines, like Internet sites that are bad must be banned, and some books. But most of that doesn’t affect who we are. But isn’t that what people are doing? Telling us who to be? Are our opinions worth less than the president’s or presidential candidates’? Can they tell us who to be? And are we who we choose to be?
— Emily S., 13
Quidditch? She’s game!
My sister, Rose, and I made up a game of Quidditch that doesn’t involve broomsticks. We realized, why have brooms if they don’t do anything but get in the way?
Here’s what you’ll need to play our version: 15 players, one tennis ball, one soccer ball, two soft balls the size of soccer balls, four plastic baseball bats.
Here’s what’s what. People: Each team has one Keeper and Captain, one Seeker, two Beaters and three Chasers. There’s also a referee. You can change the number of people, but be sure to change the amount of equipment you use. Equipment: The soccer ball is the Quaffle, the tennis ball is the Snitch, the big, soft balls are Bludgers, and the plastic bats are clubs to hit the Bludgers with.
Here’s how you play: Without anyone seeing, the referee hides the snitch on whatever terrain you’re playing on. Then you mark the goals. It’s best if you use basketball hoops, though. Let the players onto the terrain. Give the Beaters bats. Put the Quaffle in the middle. The ref says, “One, two, three, go!” and then throws the Bludgers into the game. The Seekers look for the Snitch, the Chasers try to score, the Keeper stops them, and the Beaters hit the Bludgers. If the Bludgers fall, the beaters have to pickthem up, throw them in thei air, and hit them in midair. In our version, every goal is worth 10 points, the Snitch is worth 150 and ends the game.
— Celia
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