In most music videos today, the artists are surrounded by huge houses, expensive cars, tons of jewelry and more. Still, they look so mean and angry. I think this gives a bad message to young children: that they should act angry all the time just to be cool. I’ve also noticed this other places. Most reviews of movies, books, etc., are negative. Why is the world getting angry about everything when there is really no reason?
— Evan L., 14
Speedy granny
I live on a regular old side street, but I see people thinking it’s an interstate highway! I’m talking about speeders. It’s not just teenage punks trying to look cool speeding. Watch out, Grandma is coming in a Corvette! There are so many younger kids playing on the block who don’t know these speeders are coming. Now listen carefully and don’t you become one of those speeders!
— Calline C., 11
Bully behavior
I see kids all the time being treated with no respect and being pushed by a bully! That is so cruel. I don’t understand why anyone would want to do that to another human being. I have seen kids do what another person is doing, and that person is being mean. They think that’s cool or something. They are trying to be tough. I think maybe there’s a problem with the bully, either something at home or they think they don’t have any friends, but they do. Bullies always prove a point in life. You have to have respect if you want it back from another person. Bully, what a word. You have to do what is right. You have to tell someone, no matter who it is. Tell someone so they can help you face your fear.
— Ashley S., 10
Animal house
I agree with Erin O. [Jan. 2 Backtalk]. Animals should be taken care of. I have a puppy and a cat. My dog always wants to play, so early in the morning she wakes me up just so she can play. My cat usually just wants to be left alone in the day, but at night she wants to play. I am ready for the responsibility, but it is a little hard, because when we just had my cat and no puppy, she was the only animal in the house, so she got all the love and attention. Now that we have a puppy, she is so much fun and does the cutest stuff that we spend a lot of time with her. But my sisters and I try to give the same attention to both. Then the cat and the dog don’t always get along. Every day they are fighting. My dog is so playful and will go and roughhouse with the cat. But she doesn’t want to play, and then it turns into a little fight between the two of them. Now I know how my parents feel when my sister and I fight.
— Erica W., 14
I agree with Erin O. I have two beagles at home named Max and Moe. They are hard to take care of, but we manage. We also used to have hamsters, but they had a whole bunch of babies! We only started out with two and ended up with 30! So we had to give them away before we ended up with 50. So we gave them away. We kept one and gave it to my baby-sitter.
— Molly N.
Don’t show off
I’m writing in response to Anonymous [Jan. 9 Backtalk]. I think it is sort of mean saying that his worst grade was a 96 percent and that he gets up at 6:15 in the morning. I think he is bragging too much of himself, saying we people are dumb. We are just normal.
— Michael S., 11
Fat chance
I thought KidNews would have learned by now. Nick Carter is not fat. Nick is 6-1. He is not fat for his height. Maybe he wears baggy clothes because he feels more comfortable. Nick has nothing to hide, he has a beautiful body, and he can wear what he wants. Next time you think of making fun of a Backstreet Boy, think of all the loyal fans you are upsetting as well.
— Jessica, 16
KidNews note: We weren’t making fun of Nick, we were sympathizing. Really. In our Jan. 16 advice for girl-band wannabes, we said they should wear what made them comfortable. We said that people will give them a hard time no matter what they wear: If they wear skimpy stuff, people will complain, and if they wear baggy clothes, people will say they look fat. Then we alluded to the Backstreet Boys concert at which Carter wore way-baggy clothes and people (including our reviewer) said he looked a bit chunky. We were saying it was the baggy clothes that brought on such comments!
He’s got game
I’m writing in response to your game review of Shenmue for Sega Dreamcast [Jan. 16 Fun & Games]. I have the game, and everything that you said about it is true. The big thing about the game is that you need a lot of time and patience to play it. It’s a very fun game. I’m glad you did a review on it.
— Michael C., 11
Musical tastes
In response to Bill C. and Peter S. [Jan. 2 Backtalk]: You guys need to realize something. Other people have different tastes. I’m sick of people bashing my music just because they like different types. I mean, I have a really wide range of music from Green Day to ‘N Sync to TLC. Just because you like a certain music doesn’t mean we have to also. I really don’t care about who wrote the music as long as I listen to it.
— Sara K., 14
My sister and her friends have caught the Beatles craze. Sometimes, it gets annoying. Usually, it is fun to learn about past music eras. I recommend it for us. Even though we’re kids, it is OK to take a break from Britney Spears and Eminem. I think the Beatles are “The Boys.”
— Natalie S., 11
I am writing in response to Crystal P. [Jan. 16 Backtalk]. Crystal, when you said we should appreciate the Beatles, you can say that again. But when you said not the Backstreet Boys, I ask why. Is it illegal to like two bands? If so, I think the jails would be exploding with people. I think the Beatles were much better than the Backstreet Boys, but that’s just because the Beatles were an extraordinary band and the Backstreet Boys are a good band. If they weren’t, why would they have won an award for most CDs sold in a week?
— Tom M., 8
I believe Crystal P. had a good point in saying the Beatles are the “Fab Four” and no one else deserves that title. But that’s not the point. The Monkees changed the music world just as the Beatles did. But it doesn’t matter who was first or who changed the music more. All that matters is, thanks to all these wonderful groups, we have the music so many love today. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love BSB and ‘N Sync as much as the next guy, but I credit their music to the Monkees and Beatles. These two groups both changed music for the better. The amazing diversity we find in music is what makes each band amazing. Who cares which band came first? Thanks to both, we have great songs like “Bye Bye Bye,” “Shape of My Heart” and classics like “Yesterday” and “I’m a Believer.” Let’s not argue over these bands, but praise them.
— Kelly L., 16
I have one thing to say to J.’s article [Jan. 16 Backtalk] about giving Eminem some respect. How can I when neither he or you are giving respect to other artists (“‘N Stink”)? Eminem makes his money off of slams. Even his own mother has sued him! I refuse to give Eminem any respect he “deserves.”
— Kate W., 12
In response to J., I do not think that Eminem deserves the respect that you think he does. His music is inappropriate and very offensive to many people. Although ‘N Sync may not be the best singers of all time, they deserve the respect that they are given. Their music is appropriate for all ages. Eminem doesn’t even sing! He may be up for four Grammys, but in my book, he doesn’t deserve any of them!
— Rachel G., 11
———-
Write letters or send editorial cartoons to Backtalk, Chicago Tribune, 5th Fl., 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 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 (ctc-kidnews@tribune.com).
