“Depression
Dear Editor,
Reading your article on depression made me realize that there are a lot of other people just like me. Now that’s something to be happy about. Knowing you are not alone is the cure to most depression; people just want to talk to someone who understands them. I feel this article probably solved that problem for a lot of people, including me.
Keionna Washington, North HS
Dear Editor,
Your articles “How I Overcame My Depression” and “My Life Was Crumbling Away,” are really strong articles I can very much relate to. Before I read this article I thought I was the only teenager in my area having to deal with depression.
I grew up with a drug-addicted father. When I was 13 he was murdered during a very large drug deal. I lived in a very rich and preppy neighborhood, so everyone thought I was okay and I wasn’t. When my father was gone I tried suicide twice but I ended up in the hospital. I got a therapist that I now see regularly.
When I read your article it showed that others like me are receiving help and are still here today. Thanks again.
Amanda King, Chatsworth High
Dear Editor,
My life hasn’t been the happiest. Like Joe who wrote “My Life Was Crumbling Away,” I too was tormented in high school. I got in trouble when my peers harassed me. I’d ditch school to avoid fights and then end up getting into fights in the girls’ bathroom. I got suspended from school about 7 or 8 times even when I didn’t do anything wrong.
At the end of 8th grade, I got kicked out because the administrators though I was the problem. After that I hated life. I tried to kill myself a couple of times.
I started going to counseling but it was too hard to get there. So I got help from my school and they were a lot of help. My life isn’t perfect right now but it is worth living.
I want Joe to know that I really look up to him. He made it through alive. It takes a lot of courage and strength to do that.
Robin Jenn, Chatsworth HS
Dear Editor,
Your articles on depression reminded me of a friend who ran away. She was depressed because her boyfriend moved away. I felt like I couldn’t help her. I think it’s a great thing that you are letting people know how to help people in that situation.
Jenny Garrido, North HS
Dear Editor,
Articles like this, in places where teens will read it, are so necessary.
I wish this issue was looked upon with more care, and as being a Big Issue, more than it was when I was a freshman. Perhaps then I wouldn’t have tried to take my own life. I didn’t know that other people felt the pain that I felt, that heavy weight that pulls your soul down until you have sunk so deep into despair, it seems as if there will never be hope. I didn’t know that what I was feeling could be treated and helped.
Chantal LaBreegue, North HS
Dear Editor,
The three pages on the depressed youth really got to me. It hurts to read about others being hurt. I don’t even like to watch the news because it’s all bad. I wish you would focus on good things. So many people do good things that should be recognized.
Cyndy Parral, North HS
Dear Editor,
It is hard for me to understand how someone could even contemplate killing themselves. You don’t really think of depression as being a dangerous thing but when you don’t ever come out of it, it can be very dangerous. I liked this article because it was a very real life kind of thing. I didn’t like it though that he allowed himself to be picked on. It makes me mad that other kids pick on each other just to be mean.
Conan Parke, North HS
No more Indian mascots
Dear Editor,
I have mixed feelings about the native American mascots. I feel they should change the mascots to protect the Indians’ rights. I feel no culture or nationality should be violated. At the same time, I feel it should be left alone. If it did not bother them all those years, why now? It’s not hurting anyone.
Kim Lustig, North HS
Dear Editor,
This whole idea about changing the mascots needs to get tossed in the garbage. All these schools that have to change their mascot need to step up and say something.
Roderick Carter, Chatsworth HS
Dear Editor,
I don’t understand how having a name or mascot from your culture could be offensive. If my high school had Polynesian mascot, I would feel privileged because then we are getting attention. I just don’t understand it. Maybe I have to be native American to understand. I feel the only reason why the native Americans are taking offense is to get attention. And I think it’s pathetic.
Rowena Wilson, North HS
Dear Editor,
Thom Little Moon’s cartoon depicting “trademark” characteristics of Indians, Blacks, Jews, and Chinese to advocate the banishment of ethnic mascots is insulting and hypocritical.
In this cartoon, a raceless boy stands frozen and bewildered, staring at four posters. Plastered on each one are the grinning faces of an Indian, a Black, a Jew, and a Chinese. A girl walking her dog stops to observe him and asks, “Which one is the Mascot?”
If Thom Little Moon’s purpose in constructing this cartoon was to hint the other cultures exactly what it feels like to be represented by a mascot, he did so unsuccessfully. Readers belonging to the cultures which are depicted in these posters are more likely to be insulted than to suddenly arrive at the relevation that human mascots are morally wrong.
Why would one who advocates the banishment of ethnic mascots demonstrate his opinion by creating more ethnic mascots? How is the picture of this boy, as he is trying to choose a mascot, relevant to the article describing one woman’s pride in being Native American? How is this relevant to the opposition many students, teachers and alumni felt in the board’s decision to banish representations of their schools? This cartoon, besides being irrelevant as well as irreverent, is confusing in its message and highly offensive.
Rebecca Hogan, University HS
Native Heritage
Dear Editor,
I want to comment on the article “I am proud of my native heritage” by Salvador Moreno. This article helped me understand what being a proud Mexican is all about.
I agree with the message, “Mexican! Not Latino. Latinos are the white people of Latin America. Not Hispanic. Hispanics are the people of Spain, Europeans.” What it says is very true. We are a whole different people and it’s time that everybody else knows it. I also agree that there is a lot of discrimination against Mexicans and all the Latinos.
I went to a school in Mexico for many years. I learned about Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapato and Miguel Hidalgo but I haven’t learned about the Olmecas, Zapotecs, Mayas, etc. and the European invasions. This made me realize what we are and what we have to fight for.
I hope that more Mexicans and Latinos learn about their native heritage and be proud of them instead of killing each other.
Francisco Munez, Chatsworth High
Dear Editor,
I am so proud of this little brother. I strongly agree with his views regarding his heritage and why it is kept from us. Those of us who know the truth about our position politically and religiously as Indians recognize that All First Nation peoples are a threat to the advancement of European ideals on this land…
No high school or elementary school ever reviewed what happened to our people, why it happened and what has been done to reverse those effects. Moreno knows and his efforts should be made known. His concern for his race is nothing more than what is expected of a warrior and his point of view, if acted upon, will insure the survival of the Seventh Generation…. So that we may thrive and restore harmony of OUR LAND.
Raul Lima, USC via e-mail [email protected]
Women in Basketball
Dear Editor,
Well, now we have the WNBA but where’s the WNLF, the WNHL? Women can do anything that men can do! Don’t the men get paid more? It isn’t fair. We may not be able to dunk but who’s to say we can’t? I think all pro sports should be open to women.
Elizabeth Anderson, North HS
Dear Editor,
I was surprised when Crystal Drayton wrote, “some guys told me it wasn’t what they expected… Other guys are just jerks, and they say things like, ‘Why do I want to watch a bunch of girls go for lay-ups?’ Can’t [any] of them dunk like Shaq or fly in the air like Jordon.” That kind of hit me hard because I was on my way to saying the same thing. But then I thought, “If my good friend, Lisa Inn, can become all-defensive player of our girls varsity basketball squad, then… why not?” So in short, I must agree with Crystal. I am all for the WNBA 100 percent. But the NBA comes first with 500 percent. You know I gotta support my Lakers.
Taliaferro Condelee, North HS
Groovin’ on the 60s
Dear Editor,
In response to your article called “Groovin On Those 60s Vibes,” I would like to say I am a big fan of our past in the hippie era. I love wearing their clothes and looking like I was a part of their past. I really wish I could be a part of the past but unfortunately (and I stress) I am a part of the 90’s.
I guess the reason I like this is because I am a very happy person and back then it was okay to be happy and to be an individual. I believe we should be who we are and not be ashamed of ourselves.
I listen to the music of that time and I love to sing, no matter where I’m at. I also love to write poetry and read books. At school, I am known as the ultimate hippie. I have many nicknames, such as Butterfly, Sunflower, Flower Child and Hippie.
As you can see I’m very much for that “be who you are” perspective. I myself am who I am and everyone I meet, I let them know. “Accept who I am because forever I will be.”
Thank you so much for putting the article in your GROOVY magazine. It is totally FAR OUT!!!!
Peace, Love, Hope, & Happiness,
Sara Castillo, 17, Roosevelt High School
Cops are too harsh
Dear Editor,
It’s nice to see young people expressing their views! I recently resigned from teaching after 17 years.
I have to agree with many of the youth’s perception about cops. Some cops can be quite intimidating, and seemingly, for no apparent reason. I have yet to have a pleasant experience with a police officer, but I have never been arrested either. I have often wondered why cops take such an aggressive stance when questioning people in a variety of situations. I think the only cops I have come to respect are those I know personally. My suggestions to anyone being stopped or questioned by a police officer is to only answer when questioned, and memorize their badge number if you feel you are being treated unfairly. With the badge number you can address your concerns with your parents, or one of the supervisors, at a later date.
I know how difficult it is to respond with respect when a cop is in your face, but try to. You will be happier in the long run, especially if you are innocent of any wrongdoing.
BA Campbell via e-mail [email protected]
Editor’s Note: If you feel you’ve been mistreated by police, write down their name (on their nametag) and ask them for their serial number, not the badge number, said Mike Partain of the Los Angeles Police Department press office. If an officer is uncooperative, he advised that you write down a general physical description of the officer and the date, time and location of the occurrence. Make a report to the watch commander at the police station where the officer works, or call the Internal Affairs Division at (213) 485-1487. When you make your call, keep notes on the date and time of the call and who you spoke with.
LA Youth poorly thought out
Dear Editor,
The last issue of your LA Youth was poorly thought out. The articles are supposed to be toward kids. But what about the kids who don’t smoke and don’t have problems with depression or racism, and people who love skateboarding for what it is?
Jarett Townsend, Chatsworth HS
Skaters
Dear Editor,
Many of my friends are skaters and they are pretty good. I hate cops who harass us, but you shouldn’t skate where you’re not supposed to. If people or companies would open skate parks, skaters would not have to look out for the one-time [cops]. Maybe skateboarding is the next pro sport.
Adam Gomez, North HS
So long, Princess Diana
Dear Editor,
Everyone loved Princess Diana for who she was and what she did. The way she died was stupid. I was very angry knowing it was because of the paparazzis and the drunk driver… The paparazzis shouldn’t be allowed to take pictures of famous people without their permission.
Susan Do, Chatsworth HS
Dear Editor,
Reporters always try to make someone’s personal life into news. They’re leeches who can’t get real stories… I don’t really care if Princess Diana died or not, I didn’t care about her affairs, I didn’t care that she got married.
Tim Pai, North HS
Dear Editor,
I don’t believe that this was the journalists’ fault. First off, Diana has been going through this for many years and there has never been an incident. Second, photos of Diana are priced in the hundreds of thousands. The demand for these pictures is in the hands of the AMerican public, not the tabloid editors. so if you want to blame these journalists you also have to blame the people demanding the pictures, and that’s yourself. Third, people seem to forget that the driver was drunk. These journalists should not be punished, they were just doing their job.
Josh Goodwick, North HS
Are you racist?
Dear Editor,
In response to Anonymous at Chatsworth HS, who wrote to explain why she was racist towards Mexicans, just because those men who disrespectful when she walks home look Mexican, does not mean they are Mexican. Did you assume they were Mexican because of their color, look or because they were gardeners? Did they have Mexican written on their foreheads?
Your racism towards Mexicans comes from lack of education and ignorance… You should not associate a group of men to a whole race.
Karina, 17, Marshall HS (last name withheld by request)
Dear Editor,
I am Mexican and I do not do that stuff she mentioned nor do I have a burgundy Cadillac. In my experience, white people have always judged me on the way I dressed or who I hang around with. When I am walking in my neighborhood, white people are the ones with the Cadillacs and Lexuses, and when I walk by, they give me ugly looks or talk crap. When they are in their cars, they lock their doors. When I have some friends over, they call the cops, saying that we are destroyng their property or something like that. My experiences have made me racist against most but not all white people.
Carlos A. Gaitan, Chatsworth HS
Dear Editor,
I am writing back on your “Are You Racist?” article. I am only racist to an extent. But when they talk crap to me, I don’t take it. I am white… These people nowadays need to realize I wasn’t there [during times of slavery]. That was our ancestors.
Lauretta Downey, North HS”