“Teen pregnancy
In this issue of LA Youth, we have a special report on teen pregnancy, with stories about teens who made decisions to have their baby, give it up for adoption, or have an abortion.
Class Discussion: How do your students respond to these articles? Which is their favorite? If they could add an article idea to the package, what would they write about and why?
Perhaps your students could design a campaign to help teens be more responsible with regard to sex and pregnancy. You could ask your students to prepare for a press conference on the issue. Before the news crews arrive, they must create a banner, write a slogan and develop a news bite (this is what professional activists do, by the way.)
Life after high school
Our goal is to inspire students to attend college after high school. But many have other plans. Some start out at a community college before transferring to a four-year college or university. On page 9, high school senior Nicole Perez writes about taking an astronomy class at a community college. She was surprised to learn that people can get good educations there. The students are serious about their work and the teachers are intelligent and dedicated.
Class discussion or writing assignment: Have your students write one or two paragraphs or an essay on what they want to do after high school. How do they plan to accomplish their goals? Where and what are they going to study? If they are not planning to go to college, do they know they can polish their skills by taking some classes at a community college?
Tupac Shakur
The recent death of Tupac Shakur has prompted many people to analyze his life. Some say he got what he deserved. He had a criminal record and lyrics in his gangsta rap music contain messages of violence. Yet he had a difficult life growing up and worked hard to make it in the entertainment industry. Have your students read about his life on page 22.
Class Discussion: Do your students know about or listen to his music? Do they think anyone, despite having a criminal record, deserves to die? Should people excuse Tupac’s mistakes because he was talented? Or did he only sell records because he was arrested so much he was always on the front page?
His music sends mixed messages. It instills hope (“Keep Your Head Up”) and it makes it sound cool to kill people (“Strickly 4 My Niggaz.”) Did Tupac represent black people in America? Why or why not?
How Bob Dole Lost The Teen Vote
Have your students read the political cartoon on page 20.
Class Discussion: What makes this cartoon funny? What does “Just don’t do it” refer to? Do your students agree with the cartoon? What is their general impression about Bob Dole and Bill Clinton? Bill Clinton has been called a draftdodger and a womanizer. Bob Dole has been accused of not being in touch with reality—of being out of touch with Americans. Is the cartoon a fair representation of these two political figures?”