One morning as my alarm brought me back to reality, it was just a normal, reluctant morning until I continued to listen to the radio on my bed. The deejay on B96 had just started talking about movies and new releases. I didn’t pay much attention, but she said, “On its first day out, `Save the Last Dance’ has easily moved its way to the No. 1 movie in the ticket box.” My eyes opened and I kind of woo-hooed at that news. Weeks before, my sister had told me about “Save the Last Dance.” Once she said it was about dancing and had Julia Stiles, I knew I had to see it.
Then in school I saw KidNews, and on the cover was a story about “Save the Last Dance” [Jan. 9]. Of course I was psyched and read it in a second. Although I have not yet seen the movie, I am looking forward to seeing and enjoying it.
— Anne Q., 12
I really loved your article on “Save the Last Dance.” I can really relate to it. I mean, in my school, there are a lot of racial differences. My BFF had been in an inter-racial relationship, but a lot of her friends were opposed to it. So she broke it off. It also relates because I used to take ballet, jazz, etc. I hope they make more movies like this one.
— Sarah D., 13
They love us, they love us not
I disagree with what KidNews puts in its paper. I think they should have more news printed other than non-important things like the Backstreet Boys or what the latest movie is in theaters. Those aren’t the most important things in the world to some people, like me. I think your role as a newspaper is to inform young people about the news in the world. I look for disasters and politics and stock pages. More people like me want to know what is going on in the world.
— Danny K., 14
My class just started reading the KidNews section of the newspaper. I think it is a great idea: kids of all races coming together to express their opinions. You also give reviews, current news and everyday helpful tips. Kids have been waiting for something like this forever. Thank you for what you are doing.
— Seth C., 12
The truth about `Taina’
I am responding to Devin Rose’s article about “Taina” [Jan. 9 Fun and Games]. I think Devin shouldn’t write that people might find the show annoying. Other people might really like the program. Personally, I haven’t seen it, but if I saw it and didn’t like it, I wouldn’t write about it. I would be a little bit insulted about what Devin said. Though the Constitution says we have freedom of speech, others might find it offensive.
— Katie B., 13
I really agree with the article about “Taina.” The show tries too hard to be cool. After a while, that gets boring. Plus, the stuff they do doesn’t really happen in high school. Especially when she blurts out into a song about her and how she is going to be a star. I was watching that episode with my sister, who is a senior in high school. She said to me sarcastically, “Oh, yeah, that really happens in high school.” I agreed with her 110 percent.
— Alex E., 13
Honesty is great! I loved how the “Taina” article was so honest. Usually, if a movie or TV show is bad, people will just lie and say it’s good. Even though this new series sounds corny, I could still relate it to my life. Sometimes I would like to be in the spotlight and be known a little more. I can’t say “Taina’s” a bad show until I watch it. Thanks for telling the truth, because that’s what really will attract people more.
— Tiffany R., 12
Prayers should be heard
I am writing to comment on the article about school prayer [Feb. 6 Get Real] in KidNews. I agree with most of the things it said. Even though I am a Christian, I wouldn’t want to be forced to pray in school.
I have a lot of friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, etc., and I know they would be offended if a school official tried to make them pray a Christian prayer.
I agree that in any case, a school should never endorse or support any religion in any way. But on the other side of the coin, a school should not stop kids from praying to whomever they choose on school grounds. This includes religions considered “pagan” or “demonic.” I don’t pretend to have the right to pick and choose what is a valid religion, and neither should school officials or anyone else. I was told in my elementary school that I couldn’t pray before my lunch. I cried foul and that it was a disgusting violation of my rights. The principal merely said “school rules,” and that was the end of it. I don’t support schools endorsing ANY religion (or lack of thereof), but it makes me VERY angry when they trample on my 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech in the form of personal prayer.
— Francis S., 14
I would like to comment on Grace O.’s response to “Let us pray” [Jan. 23 Backtalk]. I would just like to say, you go, girl! We need prayer at school. For this nation, under God, doesn’t let us give thanks to him at all. Only silently do we pray for help, forgiveness or hope. I know that the government lets us stand up and pray if we want, but how are we supposed to do that? They don’t really give us a chance. God is not anywhere in our schools. Sometimes we study about other nations’ gods, but not this nation’s God. Not the one true God. I mean, no one who doesn’t want to accept him, believe in him or have anything to do with him has to pray or even listen. But we need to pray. We need to at least do that much, at least that one chance to stand up for what we believe in. Because without God, where would we all be?
— Kristin S., 13
KidNews note: In case you missed our Feb. 6 Tough News story on school prayer, we pointed out that under the law, prayer is not banned in schools. However, teachers and school officials are not allowed to lead prayer or organize kids to pray at school.
It takes two to fight
This is in response to Lizzo, who claims that Palestinians are being kicked out of their “homeland” [Feb. 6 Backtalk]. Get your facts straight. Palestinians have been offered portions of Israel on a silver platter since 1948, by both the United Nations and the Israeli government. Before the state of Israel was established, Israel was controlled by the British, NOT the Palestinians. During the entire rule of the British, the Palestinians never pushed for independence. After World War II, survivors of the Holocaust had no place to go. So the UN proposed that the land known as Palestine be cut in half. The proposal split the land so the Palestinians would have the better land, and the Jews would have mostly desert. The Jews agreed. The Palestinians did not. A war was fought, and the Jewish minority won.
Former President Barak offered the land that held the Palestinians’ “religious temples and altars,” as you put it. The Palestinians rejected these ideas too. It’s BOTH the Palestinians and Israelis who want the land to themselves, not just the latter.
— Michelle, 14
Teachers are people too
In response to Kara [Feb. 13 Backtalk] regarding the issue of teachers labeling students, teachers are humans too. They are not perfect. Whether or not you like it, everyone tends to label each other, whether they realize it or not.
Sure, some teachers might like certain students more than others, but don’t you like certain people out of your class better than others too?
For example, I’m sure you’d like your friends a lot better than someone who you barely talk to or your enemy. And how would you know that teachers bring down the bad students’ self-esteem? They don’t expect as much out of these students because maybe they know that they have a weakness in the subject or class and thus wouldn’t ask that much out of them. Plus, many students with D’s or F’s don’t even care about their class, so how would their feelings be hurt?
True, labeling overall should be stopped. But teachers are still normal human beings, like everybody else. If you just ignore their labeling and not make yourself become the label, then there won’t be any hurt feelings.
— Sharon X., 15
First in line?
I disagree with Crystal P. [Jan. 16 Backtalk] about the Beatles being the original boy band. I think that the Temptations should be designated the original boy band, because the Temptations, a Motown band, sang the hit song “My Girl.” I think the Beatles were originally known as rock ‘n’ roll sex symbols.
— Sean S., 14
A forever fan
I think the Grammy should go to Tupac, even though he doesn’t play an instrument. I don’t know if he ever picked one up, but he had heart because he would get knocked down and get right back up to get some more. He would just keep on going. His life was also taken away by a bunch of gangsters, but he had a lot of accomplishments. Even though he is dead and wouldn’t be able to receive it, the award should be buried with him.
— Luis G., 13
The sweet price of chocolate
I recently read the article entitled “Chocolate crunch” [Feb. 6 Cover]. I think this is an outrage that people can actually destroy rainforests, and they do this just to make more money on chocolate. I mean, chocolate’s good and all. But if it’s destroying the environment, then I could live without it! Eating chocolate is only a preference; people don’t actually need it to survive. I say quit making the chocolate and save the Earth! It’s the only one we have!
— Mike M., 13
I recently read your article called “Chocolate crunch.” I thought that it was very interesting. I really never thought about where chocolate came from before I read this article. I think that it sounds like eventually all chocolate will come from rainforest-friendly farms rather than plantations, and after the price goes down, everyone will profit. The rainforest won’t get ruined, the chocolate will taste better, and the companies won’t get criticized. This is a very good article that might help the rainforest.
— Andy S., 13
In Lou’s view [Feb. 6 Cover], Lou tested two chocolate bars. My favorite chocolate is Hersheys chocolate bars. Why buy chocolate if it is more expensive? To me chocolate is chocolate! I wouldn’t buy the Newman’s Own Organic Milk Chocolate bar for $2 more. I like chocolate whether it is expensive or not!
— Tiffany N., 12
The Bulls need help
I think that the Chicago Bulls need better players with skills like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. I think that they also need to bring back Phil Jackson, the coach who helped them win six championships. Once they were my favorite team, but now they are not because they have only won six games this year.
It’s hard to be a fan when your team always loses. A fan needs a good basketball team — something to believe in.
For the Bulls to be a successful team, they need more players like Elton Brand and Ron Mercer. They are the players who score most of the points. To get a better team, the Bulls need to trade for good players and recruit good players from the college draft.
— Josimar L., 15
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