I was totally floored by the inappropriate attitude towards our youth of today being active in world events. I went to school in the 1950”s when we called it Civics, and young people were encouraged to participate in current events, elections, and other things pertaining to our government. It was how we learned about the country”s political system.
To say that our youth cannot convince anyone to change is a false statement. Do you have children? Have they talked you into any purchases, into watching any movies, styling your hair a certain way, or even eating a certain food? Peer pressure causes positive and negative effects, such as drug use, gang activity, etc. However, when young people are encouraged in the right direction, by participating in life”s ebb and flow while they are still young enough to learn from their mistakes, they grow up to be senators, lawyers, policemen and women, and folks who write letters to their assemblymen and women, etc. They even vote! When they are told to sit down and shut up, they fall into a non thinking, follow the leader kind of moronic sleep that could lead to cult participation or gang participation. Teach them to think for themselves and we have our future leaders!
So, Mr. Wicks, perhaps you didn”t get elected class president in your youth, but I celebrate all the youth, as one who stood up against VietNam in the 1970”s, to continue to participate, because they do, indeed, have a voice that makes a difference!
Shelley Davis
Clearlake
