Teens' causes: from evangelism to sex ed.

Byline: The Register-Guard

WHAT'S important to you?

The 20Below New Team, a cross section of teens from Lane County, was asked to write about the causes they support. Their responses included issues that were big and small, obvious and obscure - but each very important to them:

Fighting prejudice

As long as I can remember, my family has had no tolerance for racism or other kinds of prejudice. My own awareness of the problems began in second grade, when I was privileged to live in Ghana.

In a school of 2,000, I was the only white child. Many mornings I would cry and refuse to go to school. Even though much of the attention I received was not intentionally hurtful, I learned how it felt to be treated differently every day just because of my appearance.

Prejudice extends far beyond the playground, resulting in huge inequalities and wars. I hope to do whatever I can to increase awareness of prejudice in our community.

- Anna Steeves-Reece

We have grown up hearing the phrase "tolerance for diversity," but I believe that in today's society we should strive to not only tolerate the diversity that surrounds us, but to accept it. Too often, judgments are based on fear and hate, and this hate leads to many forms of discrimination and violence.

If people had a better understanding of what they are opposed to, they might be able to use their knowledge to open their minds and accept the diversity that makes us all unique.

- Amelia Anderson

My cause is to connect people. I don't think people should feel left out because of where they fit in society, who they hang out with or how popular they are.

Everyone should be able to get along with each other no matter how much they have in common. I also think that people shouldn't be afraid to be different. People should be able to accept everyone for who they are.

- Dean Stuart

Global community

So many of the young people I am surrounded by everyday are content to live their lives wrapped up in their own little worlds, thinking only of dances and football games, algebra grades and boyfriends.

I strive to shine a light through my school that it is important to be informed and interested in happenings outside high school. I believe the key to a better world is heightening awareness and global understanding.

- Keely Muscatell

Communities of large and small, are recently forgotten.

American bounty grows and grows, yet values slowly rotten.

As neighborhoods become nations, as populations grow,

The majority takes authority, distinguishes high from low.

We see our family, friends and peers - happy as can be.

The family cast upon the street - what good are they to me?

Fifty-one percent's the rule: democracy at it's best,

But treatment of the weakest ones puts culture to the test.

- Quinn Wilhelmi

Happiness

My cause is happiness, creativity and life for all. It really bothers me when people stop drawing, inventing things and playing after first grade. If people aren't creative, there is no possibility for growth, and the world gets stuck in a dreadfully boring rut.

Being that bored is probably worse than being dead, but I think everyone deserves to live, too. Killing is the antithesis of creation. If you have life and creativity, happiness can follow.

- Eva Sylwester

We need to help people treat themselves right: stop smoking, gain self esteem, find a positive goal in life and just be happy in general.

It seems like a small thing to ask, but happier, healthier people have fewer reasons to fight, harm, steal or abuse. Most of all, to help someone gain self esteem and happiness could be the difference in their lives.

- Carly Sertic

Environment

Preservation of the natural environment is very important. Nature not only is incredibly beautiful, but it also serves an essential purpose of keeping our planet alive. We could not live without the the forests, grasslands, jungles and all the creatures that inhabit those ecosystems.

We need them to eat, to breath, to make our homes, to make art - we need them to live. We have inherited this planet, which has been in the process of making itself for the past 4 billion years. We do not have the right to destroy it.

- David Seltzer

Reproductive rights

I'm adamantly pro-choice. Going to a fairly conservative school has made me realize that women face a very real danger of losing their reproductive rights. We are not truly free unless we have the ability to choose when, why and how we have children.

Abortion is not a negotiable right. It is fundamental to being human that we have control over our own bodies. I do not believe that a cluster of cells, no matter how "mature" is human. This belief, and its opposite, is the root of the abortion problem, the reason it is nearly impossible to persuade someone of the ``other side.''

- Emily Keizer

Children

My cause is helping abused and underprivileged children. Last summer, I volunteered at the Relief Nursery in Eugene and worked with children from "at-risk" families.

I realize that many children, unfortunately, do not grow up in stable families. And I think society should commit resources to building healthy families, so that all children have a chance to become productive adults. This summer, I'll be going to Thailand to work in an orphanage.

- Adam Stater

Education

Having spent time in both public schools and being home-schooled, I am very supportive of education reform.

While public schools in Oregon are doing their best with limited funds, I would like to see more community support and better funding for public schools. I would also like to see more educational options - more charter schools, alternative schools and support for home education. The only way to change the world is to raise well-educated people.

- Josh Shayla

I would like to help eliminate stupidity and blind idealism. The reasons are primarily selfish: I don't like dealing with stupid people, and blind idealism gets on my nerves.

Rumor has it other people matter, and the ability to think for one's self has traditionally helped people, and in some cases, saved lives.

- Morgan Anslow

Spreading God's word

I enjoy witnessing "with words when necessary" about the love of Jesus Christ. I'm imperfect. I don't have the right to judge or condemn people, but I'm blessed with chances every day to witness by showing love to strangers and friends.

Many noble causes appeal to me, but this one is eternal. I'd rather let God work through me to help one soul to know him than give all the money in the world to all the earthly causes.

- Connie Thomas

Sex education

Planned Parenthood is an organization worthy of much praise, but instead, it often receives much criticism. By offering free condoms to everyone and free birth control to many, Planned Parenthood probably prevents more young adults from having abortions than it refers to doctors who perform them. It also offers free testing for sexually transmitted diseases. It really should be embraced by schools and communities rather than hushed up. Planned Parenthood is doing a valuable public service.

- EmmaLee Boylan

Against abortion

Abortion is the taking of human life, plain and simple.

Arguments such as "they don't look human," "they can't feel" or "they aren't developed enough to be human" just don't cut it with me. By these definitions, deformed, mentally disabled or emotionally disturbed people are "less human" than others. Who has the right to decide whether someone has a chance at life?

- Conrad Gilchrist

Nonviolence

First, we no longer need to eat meat to survive, so it doesn't make sense that people continue to kill other living things for food when it's easy, healthy, logical and morally right to be a vegetarian.

Second, war doesn't lead to peace. Two wrongs don't make a right.

- Nicole Lavelle

Empowerment

My cause is in the strength of the individual: helping people learn they can help themselves. Empowering rather than enabling is true compassion. Oftentimes, social altruism stems from pity, and pity stems from disrespect.

Respect for others is demonstrated when people acknowledge that the most effective social help for an individual comes from that individual.

- Kelly Stephenson

CAPTION(S):

Please turn to CAUSES, Page D2 Causes: Teen-agers have diverse missions Continued from Page D1