“Free speech
In Nadine Dabby’s article, “Who has a right to free speech?” she recognized the importance of the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech, even for speech with which we may disagree of which may be hurtful. The answer to speech we don’t like is not to place restrictions on what can be said. The answer is more speech—speech that answers the words that disturb us.
As the cases the ACLU fought on behalf of students illustrate, the main question we have to ask is, “Who will make the decision that certain speech should be suppressed?” If history has taught us anything, it is that free speech is the bedrock of true freedom. We cannot cede to anyone the power to choose which speech will be allowed.
Kimi Lee, Field Representative,
ACLU Southern California
Divorce split my life in two
My sympathy goes out to Lindsay Spann, the writer of “Divorce split my life in two.” I have a good friend that went through that same problem. She was never the same after her parents’ divorce. She is not doing as well in school as she used to and she doesn’t have that same spark and enthusiasm.
Amy Phan, 14, Verdugo Hills HS
I feel sorry for Lindsay. When my parents get in a fight, I get mad and sad because sometimes I feel that they are going to get a divorce. I think it was good idea for her to interview other teens. When they express their feelings they get out everything that is bothering them.
Jozceline Quinteros, Arroyo Seco Magnet
Going through a divorce is very hard. I have gone through it too. You feel so inert, like there’s nothing you can do about it. It seems that your world is ending. You love your parents because they nurtured you but at the same time you hate them because they obliterated your life and there’s nothing you can do.
Natalie Morales, 14, Paramount HS
Smoking is stupid
I liked the article, “Smoking is stupid” and I agree with this. Everything you say in the LA Youth is real because I see little kids smoking after their parents leave for work. They even ask me if I want to smoke with them, but I tell them that it’s dangerous. Smoking is like setting your money on fire.
Jose Ruelas, Paramount HS
I don’t think smoking is stupid. When people have family and personal problems like I do, it’s okay to smoke weed to relieve the stress. I’m not going to lie about it. I do smoke weed at times because I have problems no one even knows about. It’s my choice. It helps me think about happier things.
Diana Lara, Paramount HS
I agree with smoking being stupid, but some of my past peers don’t! One friend though she was a little chubby, and started to smoke cigarettes to stay thin. Another friend was depressed, and smoked marijuana to make friends with other smokers. It didn’t help him at all. He was caught stealing from a house and charged with stealing and abetting since he was the “look-out” as well. But me and my ninth grade friends and I have never touched a single devious joint, blunt or cigarette. I am very glad that “the good news is that most teens don’t smoke.”
Rodney Howard, Paramount HS
Strangers In A Strange Land
I really enjoyed “Strangers In A Strange Land.” I felt exactly the way the immigrants in the article. Overjoyed to be in a great country that would give me many great opportunities that my previous home would not and saddened that the other kids made fun of me because of how I talked and where I came from. Despite all of those things still felt a special bond with my homeland even though I was thousands of miles away.
Eventually I adapted to the difficult language and loved my new home more than ever. I made great friends and learned more about the different cultures in America. If I could choose to live in any country in the world right now, I would choose America because it is one of the best nations in the world.
Sos Bagramyan, Verdugo Hills HS
Your article on “Strangers on a Strange Land” really caught my attention. I really do think that some American kids are rude. I have seen how they treat their peers and adults. I have seen how they treat young kids when they come from a different state. They make them feel less. Rather than abet them or greeting them so they could feel wanted.
My best friend had just came from Honduras. It was so hard for her the first couple of months. But then she adapted to it. Kids in school would make fun of the way she talked, dressed or acted. But I’m really proud of myself. I helped her with talking and reading. I used to take her out. Sometime she used to cry because she was scared of the society we lived in. She really thought U.S. was a United place where all people got along. Now she realized is not like that. I just want to send a message to all young kids that have to go through this: Go to school and get an education so you could show them that you could do it.
Vilma Rosas, Paramount HS
Am I Too Fat?
I am responding to the article “Am I too Fat?” This article came from the heart! I had this problem in the sixth grade. I thought I was fat too, but I was just so worried about my image that I became so depressed . . . I started to grow out of this mess when I got to middle school where they had P.E. I started to like myself again. From there on I enjoyed living, not to wake up and worry about what to eat and what not to.
Thanh Son, Verdugo Hills HS
The article “Am I Too Fat?” was a great idea to have in the LA Youth paper because there are real people in this case. They look like they’re smiling from the outside but we really don’t see what they feel on the inside of their heart when they are insulted.
Faviola Sánchez, Paramount HS”