You know how U. of I. wants to ban their Indian mascot [March 27 Get Real]? I think that is wrong. I’ve watched the news, and the Indian doesn’t look stupid or bad. I think it symbolizes pride and power. It makes Indians look strong and free. It doesn’t put them down; it brings them up. It makes them look like good people.
— Reed L., 13
Kids and crime
KidNews note: Last week we asked readers to tell us what they thought about new harsher sentencing rules for kids who commit crimes [“At issue: Kids in court,” Backtalk]. Here’s what one reader has to say:
With the development of a conscience comes the responsibility of being held accountable for our actions. Children and teenagers who commit crimes such as murder should pay for the irreparable damage that they have caused to the victim. However, young minds are extremely impressionable and have the ability, with the proper treatment, to change their ways for the better. By locking juvenile criminals up in barren cells for years, even the remainder of their lives, courts aren’t doing anything to give aid to these confused youth. Instead, let them know that there are people who love them and want to form trusting, open relationships with them so that these kids can grow up to be responsible adults who can positively affect the world. Committing a crime is a realization that your life has hopelessly fallen apart, a cry on the part of the offender for help and attention. Let’s give to these kids what they subconsciously long for and desperately need.
— Elizabeth C., 13
Optional reading
In response to Ashley H. [March 20 Backtalk]: If you feel you are much too mature for KidNews, much too much of a teenager, then why don’t you read the rest of the paper? It is, after all, the Chicago Tribune. There’s a multitude of articles to read that are aimed toward a more mature audience. If you go to the Tempo section, you’ll find concert, music, stage and movie reviews — and hey, since they’ve got more space than KidNews is allowed, they’re longer and they have more details! I’m sure you’ll find something you like in there. But KidNews is aimed toward an audience that, I guess, just isn’t on the same page as you. You do have other options.
— Rebecca B., 14
I am writing in response to Ashley H. [March 20 Backtalk]: If you don’t like KidNews, then don’t read it. Plenty of other “teenagers” read this section and don’t have a problem. If a few big kids don’t like this section, I don’t think they will change it. Maybe if everyone who read it had a problem, they would change it, but it’s called KidNews for a reason. KidNews is not for babies; it is for kids to read.
— Sophie M., 11
Show some respect
I am writing in response to Leah C.’s letter [March 27 Backtalk]. I think you are just jealous of Britney Spears. Britney and Justin Timberlake have had to deal with so much gossip, and you aren’t helping the situation. They have openly expressed their feelings toward one another, and now you have to say that they are just using each other? Instead of complaining about you not being able to date Justin, why don’t you be a true ‘N Sync fan and support their relationship? I, too, am a huge ‘N Sync fan and have learned to respect Justin and Britney’s decisions. You can’t tell Justin who to date and who not to; the same goes for Britney. So what if you don’t like Britney Spears? That doesn’t mean you have to go off saying false comments about her. Stop acting like a little teeny-bopper and stand up for their relationship like a true Justin Timberlake fan would.
— Samantha S., 12
Class could save lives
Teen suicide is the second-leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. How many of these deaths are due to our ignorance about suicide? Probably more than you think. I believe there should be a mandatory suicide-awareness class that every junior high student must take.
There are countless numbers of organizations that come to schools to teach drug awareness or sex education or the dangers of alcohol abuse. I demand to know why there isn’t a single group talking to kids about suicidal peers and some of the warning signs. It is a proven fact that kids who are exposed to DARE [an anti-drug campaign] are less likely to become involved in drugs later in life. I firmly believe results would be similar with a suicide class. If there were some type of course where children learn warning signs, lives would be saved.
The majority of kids who say they are suicidal do not actually want to die. Instead, they are simply looking for a way to escape some sort of deep pain they are feeling. Everyone has different perspectives on their problems. Something could seem as if it were no big deal to one person but is overwhelming to another. Unfortunately, it isn’t always very easy to detect a suicidal person. While some warning signs, such as serious depression or giving away treasured possessions, are obvious, more subtle clues often go unseen. A less outspoken child could simply change her eating or sleeping habits or withdraw slightly from friends. Without an educational course, peers could just attribute this to moodiness. A program also could tell kids what to do and where to go if a friend threatens suicide.
Our community needs to recognize the need for suicide awareness and do something about it. Every 17 seconds someone commits suicide. How many of these lives can be saved?
— Katie S., 14
No `Survivor’
I’m writing in response to Katie P. [March 6 Backtalk]. I think you are right about the reality-show craze. It is going to probably just end in a couple years. If they make a “Survivor III,” I bet no one will watch it because it’s a stupid and annoying show. The one that will last is “Temptation Island,” because it is different than the other shows and has to do with couples.
— Travis M., 13
Faith in the Constitution
I found the article “Pray tell” [Feb. 6 Get real] very one-sided. I was offended. It seemed that you only considered the Christian perspective and encouraged prayer in school.
I remember being a part of my school play last fall. One of the girls’ fathers had died. The director of the play (a teacher at my school) organized a prayer and gave everyone the option of stepping out. I, myself, do not believe in any god and wanted to step out. I would have been the only one who did, and I didn’t want “grief” from my peers and friends about my beliefs. I felt pressure to stay in the circle with the group and to prayer in things I didn’t believe rather than be singled out.
On behalf of atheists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and anyone else I failed to mention, you need to think about the people who find prayer offensive. If people want to be able to pray openly in school, they need to be in a private school! Public schools are run by the government, and there should be a complete, defined line between church and state.
— Abby N., 14
Boys rule?
I’m writing in response to Megan L. [March 13 Backtalk]. I think that you are wrong about girls being more favored than boys at school are. In most schools that I’ve been to, the boys are more favored by teachers.
— Eric V., 13
Music, everyone!
I think that Napster shouldn’t be shut down, because too many people download Napster. It is a fun and easy way to listen to updated music without having to buy the whole CD! But if they shut it down, then more kids will have to spend all their money to buy tons of CDs when all they want is one song.
— Tiffany S., 13
I’m writing a response to Katie B. [March 13 Backtalk]. I think that the Grammys are not just about the awards; it is about how good the performers are and their talents. It also was about what the fans and what the music judges think. People who won multiple awards won because they made well-made songs and deserved to win. The Grammys were not just for kids; it was also watched by many parents who know Steely Dan. The Grammys are for all who want to watch.
— Dan C., 13
Getting it right
I took the “Righteous quiz” [March 6 Cover], and I think that you should always tell the truth. It’s important to me to know that a friend can always tell the truth, besides the occasional white lie, of course. Like in question No. 2, when her friend really liked her new shirt but she hated it, that’s a great time for a white lie. As for question No. 9, if yourbest friend likes someone and that someone asks you out, then DUH! It’s a definite no-no. You should always keep a friendship over a guy. If that happened to me and he asked my friend out, then I hope that she would say no. That’s a way to test a friendship.
— Sarah W., 10
I’m writing in response to “Righteous quiz.” I think that this quiz really does help you figure out if you are a person who would do the right or wrong thing. One thing that I like about the questions is that they’re everyday problems. I absolutely loved this quiz, and I wouldn’t mind taking others like it. (Hint, hint!)
— Cierra J., 13
Hawk doesn’t always fly
I’m responding to Joseph W. [Feb. 27 Backtalk]. Tony Hawk isn’t the best skateboarder in the world. He is the best vert skateboarder. There are plenty of street skateboarders that are better than him at street skating. Don’t brag about Tony Hawk unless you know what he skates.
— Alex E., 13
I’m writing back Carl H. [Feb. 27 Backtalk]. I agree that Tony must be nervous when he’s in a competition. But kids like him just because he’s the only one who can land the 900. But he only did it once. That means he did it, but I bet he can’t do it again in a competition. Also kids only like him cause they see his name a lot, like on TV, video games and with people talking about him. Plus, most of the kids just play skating games and watch skating videos. They see Tony doing tricks, so they think they’ll go outside and try it. That makes them posers.
— Mike P., 13
I’m writing in response to Carl H., and Joseph W.: Tony Hawk isn’t the best skateboarder ever. He is a great vert skater. But he’s not too good at street at all. There are so many street skaters who are so much better than he is. You probably should have mentioned that Tony Hawk is an amazing vert skater, and not a street skater, rather than just saying he is the best ever. There are so many other great skaters out there. Go buy some skate videos and watch some other skaters. You’ll be amazed at how many more awesome skaters there are out there other than Tony.
— Maura L., 15
