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What is Black Enough?
By: Ashley L.C. Lewis
 Vs.  Steve Urkel (left) versus Flava Flav (right) Does the media correctly represent the African American population? |
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Across America we hear comments like, “Look at her trying to act white. Don’t she know she’s black?” or “Why he don’t talk black, he must be mixed?” What do these comments really mean? As a young African American woman, I find myself among the people pondering this question: What is black enough? I wonder if “black enough” means being ignorant or becoming one of the stereotypical black people portrayed in today’s media.
Black women are usually stereotyped as teen mothers, ghetto, loud, outspoken and overbearing. Even though some women may be like that, not all black women fit that stereotype. There are many sitcoms with black women portraying
these stereotypes such as “The Game” which has a character by the name of Tasha Mack who is all stereotypes. Then, there’s “Girlfriends” which has a character named Maya Wilkes. She is also all five stereotypes.
Black men are stereotyped along the same lines as overly aggressive, cheap, drug dealers, gang bangers, disrespectful, and rude. Again, this is not true about all black men. HBO’s “The Wire” has a character by the name of Naymond. He is a drug dealer, gang banger and he is disrespectful very frequently. Another is “Everybody Hates Chris.” The father of the show, Julius Rock, is a cheap and overly aggressive man who tends to be rude.
The media has a major affect on how African Americans are portrayed in music, movies and TV. They influence society’s perceptions of black people. These stereotypes are influencing not only society, but black youth as well. These stereotypes are what make black youth feel inadequate and make them try to be something they’re not. “What is black enough?” will be a recurring question in people’s minds but the truth is that there is no such thing as black enough. We are all individuals so why should we fit into someone else’s mold? Besides, being black doesn’t really matter because it’s only a skin color. A race shouldn’t define who you are as person. No one should act like people of their same race just because they are of that certain race. I think everyone should live by these words ”Just be yourself” because in the end that’s all we can and ever will be.
Does curfew discriminate against innocent teens?
By: Lindsay Lincoln
Is it really the laws business whether or not we’re out after 10:30 p.m.? Shouldn’t this matter be up to our parents? Why should we suffer consequences for something our parents gave us permission to do? I'm sure these questions have crossed your mind at some point. In this discussion, you will finally hear “our” side of the story.
For starters, teenagers these days wouldn’t like to go to the movies in broad daylight. I know my friends and I don't. During the day, we have chores to do, homework to get done and our own little hobbies to get out of the way. Curfew interferes with our everyday lives. In my opinion , it’s honestly nobody else's business if we’re out late because the majority of the time we do have permission from our parents. It would be understandable if the police just checked up on us every now and then but there’s no reason to have to take our information down and make such an uproar over nothing!
Whether minors are out late or not should be decided by their parents or guardians. These parents and guardians are also respected adults and their decision to let us out late or not should be respected as well. Police are just wasting their time stopping us for curfew. There are much bigger things happening in the city which they should focus on.
What do you think of when you hear the word curfew? Many teens believe that curfew is just another way to keep the police entertained because they have nothing better to do. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Most teens only view curfew as another right taken away from their freedom, but what they don’t realize is that there are two sides to this predicament. Establishing and enforcing a curfew is not meant to merely infringe upon young people’s fun time, but rather to support a healthy environment. The government does not want to ruin your life; they just want to make sure you have a safe one. Safety is far more valuable than running around all night with friends.
The driving curfew in Chicago is 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. This is a nightmare for most teenagers because it prevents them from going to the nine o’clock movies with their friends. However, I personally believe the positives outweigh the negatives regarding this ordinance. Going home before dark helps prevent teens from engaging in criminal acts. Officer Trujillo agrees that, “Curfew helps parents keep track of their children. Parents need to take responsibility, and curfew gives them a chance to get involved in their children's lives.”
Furthermore, gang activity is more active at night, especially in the area South of Belmont. The goal of curfew is to keep kids away from gangs, drugs, tagging, stealing, drinking, partying, and other criminal acts. Curfew also lowers teens’ chances of becoming a victim.
I can understand why kids want to go outside at night in the summertime and holidays, but not during the school months. Everyone should stay in and get a good night’s rest for school the following day. Besides, fewer people on the streets means fewer problems that police have to give attention to. I’m not saying they are being lazy, but there are bigger problems they need to attend to.
Don’t think the police is bothering you for their own amusement, because the truth is, every time they write you up for curfew they have to do more work. They will either have to drive you home, talk to your parents, possibly set up a court date or even write you a ticket. The fee for a ticket can range from $25 to $50. Don’t worry, there are some exceptions. Sometimes if you are polite they will let you go. But if you give them attitude forget about it. Also let’s not forget you are exempt if you are coming home from work, a church outing, baseball games, school, and fun stuff like that.
Curfew is not enforced to torture you. It’s to protect you. It brings you closer to your family. You will get more sleep for school, and it keeps you away from potential gang recruiting and other forms of danger. It just may save your life!
Bring on those “Buzzy Bucks!”
By: Shaquita Wright
“Buzzy Bucks.”
What is the sole purpose for this so called Foreman money?
Many say it is used to build more responsible and PARR associated students for the future. Many teachers, close to the majority, do not even bother to give out Buzzy Bucks to well mannered students. Sources told me, “Students buy from the Foreman store using money rather than Buzzy Bucks.”
| "I really do not know. I think 25 cents. " -Mrs. Bha, on being asked the value of a Buzzy Buck. |
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A question comes to mind, “Why does the Foreman School have Buzzy Bucks? I, myself will tell you as an experienced student that has done all, if not most of his work, and that acts as responsible and appropriate as possible have not received the amount of Buzzy Bucks to credit my responsibility, respectfulness, productiveness and appropriateness. What is the value of a Buzzy Buck? “ I really do notknow. I think 25 cents,” states a confused Mrs. Bha. Honestly how much is the reward for us, the student body, to be rewarded a Buzzy Buck for good behavior, if one Buzzy Buck cannot purchase much. Not only that , but if you cannot purchase any merchandise with one Buzzy Buck and the teachers do not pass out Buzzy Bucks, how do the creators of this incentive program expect students to purchase any merchandise from the Foreman Store. Other than the lunch security, Mrs. Bha is the only teacher in my observations that passes out Buzzy Bucks to students who really try to follow PARR.
Hopefully, this will encourage teachers to really observe students and pass out Buzzy Bucks more often. Once that occurs, a change will also occur in students. They will exhibit PARR behavior on their own, and the Foreman world will be so much better...just wait and see.
According to CBS/AP website, gay marriage is not legal in Mexico but it is legal in Canada. So what is the United States’ position? This article will give you an update.
Homosexuality is seen all around the world. It is socially acceptable in some cultures, but can same-sex couples get married? In the United States, thirty-one states don’t allow gay marriage and Illinois is one of them. There are many reasons why these states don’t allow it. People say being gay is unnatural and it encourages others to be gay. Many say gay parents will raise gay children. Some critics say that gay marriage is not supported by religion and that children need a male and female role model at home.
Critics may say that civil unions aren’t only about uniting two people in love; they expect married couples to procreate. They say that children are the future and that the only way to continue procreating is to have more heterosexual marriages. In my opinion, this doesn’t define marriage. People should marry whomever they are most happy with. Gay marriage is no longer a theoretical issue and every politician, judge, and citizen has to decide how they feel about same-sex unions.
While considering this issue, heterosexual marriages need to be examined. If you watch television or listen to the radio, you will see that heterosexual marriages are in crisis. There are high rates of divorce, and illegitimacy has eroded marriage norms and has created millions of fatherless children. Due to this, there are increased crime rates, poverty, teen pregnancies, drug abuse, and health problems. So, heterosexual marriages and children raised in heterosexual relationships are not without problems. In fact, studies show that the children raised in homes with same-sex parents are similar to those raised in heterosexual relationships. So why not legalize same-sex unions?
Some states have accepted these unions. The Massachusetts Supreme Court found that gay couples must be given equal marriage rights under the state constitution and it was legalized in May of 2004. Gay couples should be given the same rights as straight couples and this includes the right to marry. If they found love in another man or another woman, why should we care? They are people, like everyone else who should be treated equally.
In my opinion, we must accept everyone for who they are. We may not agree with it, but we have to respect their rights as human beings. Now that you know the facts, and my opinion, I have one question for you: Are you against gay marriage? Contact us so we can know.