Everyone deserves quality health care

In my opinion health care is very important to me because my grandmother has diabetes, and it is very important to me that she is properly cared for. And furthermore a lot of teens are sexually active, and if there is no health care then if they get sexually transmitted diseases how are they going to get the care that is needed for them to not get pregnant. Furthermore what about children that gets pregnant how are they going to get prenatal care. God forbid that their baby gets sick. How would the people with no medical benefits get health care. Everybody deserves to get taken care of and be healthy. Care should be lowered because of the low income housing and families. Health care is important to us. And i think that if health care providers would lower than I personally think that more people wouldn't hesitate to go to the doctor.
-Jaz'min

Love and hate for the undocumented

I think undocumented people should, but also shouldn't get free health care because we already have legal citizens that are struggling and not being able to afford health care so why should immigrants be able to come to this country and receive health care, they don't pay taxes like we do. But also if a person was born here, and their parents are immigrants they shouldn't be labeled as immigrants. On the other hand if an "undocumented" person comes to a hospital needing help or treatment I don't think they should be denied health care. It shouldn't even be a long process at the hospital. They shouldn't care about money, insurance and anything else. When a person goes to a hospital they should get to get care and that's it. If I was Obama I would make health care a small fee, lower than 25$ for non immigrants, and for citizens, I understand that it will cause too much confusion and trouble if we all had free health care, but emergencies should be free. He should also make medication be an affordable price. A person should never have to be in debt because of an emergency or an unexpected sickness comes upon them.
-Laiajh Weaver

The Dentist is hating on my smile

I am 16 years old. During a check up at the dentist I was told I need braces. So my mother took me for a fitting for my braces, that's when my mother received news that my health care plan wouldn't cover it because my teeth weren't "crooked enough." So i guess that means unless my mom wants to pay thousands of dollars, my smile doesn't matter to them. It's a shame because in foreign countries they have universal health care, and would be glad to supply me braces. I would love for my senior year smile to be flawless, but unfortunately with my moms health care plan not wanting to cover what it should, it doesn't seem like it's going to happen. When I get older I know I would need mandatory health care such as a dentistry doctory and so forth. In the near future I hope health care grounds can change for the better, because as American citizens we pay taxes involuntarily, our young men can get drafted into the war, so why is it that health care cant be involuntary?
-Akilah Watkins

Mom pays for my health care

My mom pays for my health care. but heath care is
important to me because once in a while i may get sick that when u
realize u have it. i think everyone should have health care like other
places in the world like Cuba. People like George Bush give Americans
a bad name and to make it worse we cant even get all the children
under five in this country health insurance-they cant decide if there
parents are poor or not? I really think that Obama is making great points
on the health care of the US but the people in congress disrespect
him by calling him a liar and don't listen when he speaks.
They would not do that if he wasn't black -
no other president been disrupted before really think they want to
keep the money goin in there pockets. Cuba has better health care than
America but Bush along with others will say Cuba is a bad place well
at least people there can get affordable medicine I mean i saw sicko
the medicine really costs about $3.00 but in America it cost $50
dollars for one pack ???? Doctors are supposed to help but all they
do is make it worse. Why can't they pay for health insurance through the money
Americans give in taxes???

Obama's point is important because America needs to have lower health care. People die because hospitals deny service based on not having insurance that's wrong. People also don't qualify for insurance because of medical conditions or old medical bills that go unpaid.

Right Now I'm uninsured

i think everyone should
have health care young people aren't active in the health care
reformation because a lot of people don't educate the youth about
important information like that. parents think that things like health
care should be a need to know basis

and most figure young people don't need to know.I feel it is important
even though a lot of youth don't trip i am feeling the effects of not
havin health care right now. My mom just got a new job and i don't
become effective on her insurance plan till December. Im not sayin i'm
super scared but if something bad happens to me and i have to go to the
hospital it could put my single mom in a lot of debt!
--

Breanna -16

Not Working During Summer

My summer, I would say is half and half -- it's boring and it's fun becaus eI'm not working and my friends are and I stay home and watch TV, but from time to time I get tired of that. Summer is a dangerous time because a lot of people can't wait to get up and ruin someone's day. At the same time, it could be fun because you don't have school and homework and you're free to do whatever, unless you get a job. I'm home alone most of the time. During the summer a lot of violence happens because people aren't in school.
- Kelly, 16

Summer is Boring and Tiring

My summer is very boring, tiring and weak. I could be in a funner program. I could spend more time with my friends. I would have had my best summer this summer but my Mama wanted me to join this program at Laney College, so I could get my own money and some college credits. I think that people should have fun time and work time during the summer because that's how it's going to be when we get older. In the area that I live in, summer is dangerous because people in school are on break and they don't really have anything to do. This is around 69th Avenue in Oakland. In order to avoid trouble, I hang with my friend and try to make my own money. Also, I just try to stay in the house and off the streets.
- Mikaela, 16

Summer is Hard Work

My summer is going good, really good. I am currently working and hanging out with the Curse Crew and doing a lot of writing. I think summer is only dangerous when you make it and if you are some where you don't need to be. If I didn't have to work, my summer would be great. Then I would be able to do more hanging out and relax. That's what summertime is basically about. The more time you give yourself to enjoy, the more better time you'll have.
- Jazmin, 18

My Summer So Far

My summer is going good so far -- it's only my third week so far. My first week I went to Camp Akili, and the second week I just went to work. It was kindof exciting because I met a lot of new people and learned a lot of new things. I think summer can be a dangerous time because everybody is out of school because they are more likely to run into their enemies.
- Latajh Weaver, 16

Summer Blues

MY summer is going surprisingly bas ... I haven't done a lot, my friends and I don't really kick it that much. I believe my summer is like this because: a.) I am not very outgoing, b.) I'm not a very social person. If I could have an ipod, believe it or not, I think it would make my summer better, because it would take my mind off of not being around a lot of people. I can't really give advice to others about having a better summer because mines really isn't going to well, but if I would be social, I think I would have a good summer. I'm not home alone, but it feels like it. I don't live far from my friends but they have "busy schedules." Sometimes they just don't answer the phone.
- Akilah, 16

Money Issues

My mom is bringing home the mulah because my stepdad, he don't got a job. But my sister pays some of the rent. My mom has been bringing home money so she's not tripping. I think if you are just now meeting a boy and y'all go out, he should pay, but if y'all been going out then it's like whoever got the money should pay. If a dude is having his lady pay for everything, than they just be using them.

- LaTajh

A Man Should Have a Job

My mom is the one that brings home the money. I think this money situation does affect the relationship between men and women. My mom’s boyfriend doesn’t have a job, but he relies on my mom for a lot. I don’t really think very much of him. If he wants to be the big man in the house, then he should at least be able to maintain a job. I think a man shouldn’t rely on a woman to provide for everything, including a cell phone bill. If you want to be a man, then you need to be a man. You don’t need to spend the whole day running back and forth to the store for cigars and Red Bull. I believe in the 50/50 rule in the family situation.

When it comes to dating, I think the boy should pay. It doesn’t have to be every time or anything. These boys who get girls to support them or buy them things are jr. low lifes. A man should never have to rely on a woman!

- Breanna Clark, 16

Some Men Are Lazy

My mother and sisters bring home the bacon in my family. I believe this does affect the relationship between men and women because most of the men and boys in my family don’t have a job or money. I observe that some men are lazy. I don’t think they have to pay for everything, but they do have to pay for themselves – especially if they are trying to do too much or spend the hard-earned money that girls work for.

- Akilah Stewart, 15

My Mom Supports Her Man

In my family, my mom is bringing home the money. She has five kids, plus a big 34-year-old kid (her boyfriend). She has to support everyone and pay the bills. Her boyfriend is okay with being broke and mooching off of my mom. This is bad because I can’t take my mom’s money because he takes it all. I think my mom will keep supporting him because they have kids together and she wants him to be around.

I think this trend does affect relationships between men and women because I don’t think it makes a woman think positively of a man that she has to take care of. I think it’s okay for women to pay for men sometimes, but not to make it a national habit.

I see boys my age asking girls for money and I think they are moochers. I believe in being treated like a lady and that your man should take care of you. News flash to ladies who are paying for their boyfriends: you are not his mother!

- Jazmin Watkins, 17

Keep Your Hands to Yourself

I think that Chris Brown is a young man that has made a very terrible mistake, but I think he did his best by trying to save face and pay his debt to society. I think that’s it's not okay for any man -- no matter if he is black or white, if he is happy or sad of if he is famous or not -- no woman is suppose to be treated like she isn’t worth anything. No woman should be a victim of domestic violence. I say that Chris Brown has started to replenish his image because he paid a lot of money to get out of jail and I think he is learning from his mistakes because he lost a lot of money and endorsement deals. They took his songs off the radio and his commercials off of T.V. I know that for a fact that his image is tarnished forever. Even though people may forgive him and try to move past what happened, but this mistake and poor choice will always be the back of every ones mind. I'm sure that he has lost a lot of his fan base, as most of his fans are women. As far as Rhianna goes, I'm sure that she is truly embarrassed. I think that this situation makes her feel like she was mislead the whole time that they went out. But I think that her and her families choice for her to go back to Barbados was a good move on everyone's part. I think that’s a great idea to let the situation breathe and both parties have time to think. I'm sure that she is going have to start all over. I think that is very important that women know that they don’t have to be a VICTIM of domestic violence no matter what they said or did or they didn’t do. No REAL MAN has to put his hand on you to get his point across. I know that they know that there careers will never be the same but I'm praying for both of them. I think that they both have problems they need to work through. I just hope they get through this but not as a couple.

- a victim

What are you two thinking?

I believe that Chris Brown shouldn’t be brought up on charges because in my eyes he’s already paid his debt to society. Just for the simple reason that he’s went to jail, lost a major contract, and also his image will never be the same. As for Rihanna I believe her career won’t be the same but, for different reasoning. She will always be known as the women who got beat by Chris Brown. In my eyes what’s to happen to her is she will either give up entertainment, or make a unexpected come back and grow from the experience first hand. As for Chris Brown I believe that his image is forever changed in a way that can’t be taken back now, people will always see him as the singer or former singer that hit a women. Some people still question to this day if he hit her or if she was making this up, but what’s most important is she was hurt and has bruises. Both careers are affected by this situation and the media attention it’s getting, but it makes me question if they weren’t celebrities then would my views be the same?


-Akilah Watkins

Leave Chris Brown Alone!

I believe Chris Brown shouldn’t have to pay any money or do anymore jail time for allegedly putting his hands on Rihanna. He has paid his debt to society by spending time in a jail cell and paying money, so he shouldn’t have to go through this anymore. Everyone should just leave Chris Brown alone! This is really affecting his career, what more do people want from him. When I first found out, I didn’t believe the whole situation. I thought it was all made up. I don’t know anyone that has ever been in that situation. It is never okay for a man to ever put their hands on a woman but, like I said before, I still don’t think Chris Brown should go to jail for battery.

I think Rihanna is going to pursue her career in Barbados for a while. She’s going to keep singing, but she’s just going to be M.I.A. out of the country for awhile. But Rihanna is a strong woman and I have faith in her.



Breanna Coleman

How I know the economy is bad

This year I knew the economy for me was bad because for Christmas I only got one
pair of Air Jordan’s and a House of Derion Outfit.Last year I got three pairs shoes a pair of heels and two pair of sneakers and I also got 12 outfits so you can imagine my surprise at the low amount of gifts. IT was this year I realized I need to work if I want the finer things in life.

Prom is coming up and it’s like the most important moment in a young girls life for me I guess im going to have to make it happen on my own since the economy is bad. It’s not fair for me to ask my mom to spent almost three thousand dollars for my dress my shoes my makeup my ticket my ride etc. I really want to help out.

So here’s what im gonna do. I already got my hustle I braid and weave hair at like $65 dollars a head for braids and weaves simple styles. As for anyone else my advice is to find something you are good at and work at it. I think by doing hair I should have half of the money I need for prom by the 31st of May that is like $2500. But even after the prom I plan to help my mom through this hard economy as much as I can.


Jazmin -17 Oakland High Student

Myspace is Private

I really don’t ask my mom or my family if they want to view my myspace page. But if they ask, then I let them. When I was 14 my nana wanted to see my myspace and I didn’t have a problem with that.There isn’t anything that I have and/or need to hide on my page. There aren’t any inappropriate or violent pictures and I don’t have any foul language on it either. I let everything hang out….privately! I let it be known what is going on. At the same time, I’m not just going to air out my business to the world.

THIS IS MY ADVICE TO PEOPLE THAT LIKE TO BE ON MYSPACE….
1. Don’t give your password out to people because if you get into a disagreement with that person, they might: change your password, give it out to people, or delete it.
2. Make sure there are no inappropriate pictures or information on your myspace page.
3. Only add people you know. Don’t approve strangers, even if they say they know and/or seen you.

-Breanna Coleman

Myspace almost got my a** whooped.

Last year someone told my daddy that they saw naked pictures of me on myaspace. My daddy told my mama and she immediatleyto come and comfront me. I had just got my lunch when a boy came running in the cafitera talkin bout "Venus yo mama here" before i could say anything my mama came through the door with a mean mugg on her face. I didnt know what was wrong but i knew it was something terribly bad. She led me out out of the school and when we got to the car she told me what my daddy had informed her earlier. I stareted crying because i really didnt know what she was talking about. when we got home i had to explain to them that there was no naked pictures of at all on the internet. I showed them my profile and my profile showed no naked pictiures of me. Then my daddy says " Oh, well he didnt say naked he said too much cleavage." I deleted my Myspace after that becuase it almost got my ass whooped.

Misunderstood.

"Is it myspace...or is it everybody's space

When I get on myspace it's usually from a friends account. My sole purpose is to see what my friends,cousin's,sister's,etc...are doing. I a;so use it to look at pictures and to see how many friends people have. I believe the worst I've seen on myspace is when my friends had an argument on there. It was basically just them going back and forth talking about each other and the worst part was it started over he say;she say. I personally don't have one because my sister's won't allow it. They both have one they say they use for networking purposes. It does get lonely not having one but in the end is it really your space or...everybody's space.
-Akilah Watkins

Be careful what you post!

One day my best friend had a picture in her bra and her panties. And she had it at her default picture which meant that everybody on myspace could see the pictures that she took in her bathroom. Within a weeks time a lot of older creepy guys were asking to be her friend and at the time she was only 14 so you can only imagine how she felt. She was so scared so her mother made her take the pictures off and now she has to get her pictures screened by her mom.

It is very important to know what you are getting into when using myspace, and facebook, and any other online service. It is very important to let your boundaries be set when using my space. I only go on myspace really to check my mail and to post the latest pictures. I really don’t log into myspace that much because all the people that are my friends on myspace attend school with me. I think that young girls shouldn’t put inappropriate pictures of themselves because the attention you would receive is not good. Well I think if you choose to continue to have a myspace here are 3 tips for you to make sure that your page is safe.

1. make sure your parent or guardian approves of the pictures that you put on your myspace if you are under 18
2. Be very careful of who you accept as you friends
3. Also be careful of the content that’s on your page. That might help narrow down the people you have requesting to be your friends.
4. Know yourself worth. Don’t be little yourself to fit in with a certain crowd, its not worth it I n the long run.

No Drama on MySpace

With my MySpace, I let my mom view my page whenever she wants because I think that if my mom doesn’t approve of it, then obviously I shouldn’t be putting it out there for the world to see. I only had one incident on my page when my mom told me I needed to change it and it was some cusswords. I wasn’t really cussing about or to someone, I was just typing how I really talk and there were a few cusswords. It didn’t bother me at all that my mom made me change it because she explained why it shouldn’t be on there. I never was bothered by what other people were writing about. I put stuff out there that I would want my friends, or if a teacher or anything was viewing my page, I would be okay with them seeing it. I wouldn’t want to put out a bad reputation for myself over the internet. I had two friends who were arguing at school and then once they got home they were arguing on MySpace, then it made them want to fight more but they never fought.

I think the three tips for staying out of MySpace drama is make your page private, only add your friends-not just anyone you know, and last - don’t put personal business or talk about anyone.

- Tajh