LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks to Dr. C. Lavonne Teague’s Journalism/Yearbook class at Cedar Grove High for their Letters to the Editor!

I would like to thank you for putting something about the Jena Six case in VOX. I agree with Stephanie Brown of the NAACP. It’s not about Jena, it’s about the things going on in our country now. Jena Six is the catalyst, an issue of how the lives of six teens can change for attacking a white student with a shoe — hardly a weapon of destruction. The gun-toting white students who beat up the black teenager weren’t even arrested. Why not release those black teens? Perhaps there is more to the story than was told, but I doubt it.
— Ashden Parson , 17

I read the article “Am I an Oniomaniac?” It drew me in because I wanted to know what oniomaniac meant. When I found out, I was surprised because I didn’t know this was an actual disease. I knew there were “shop-aholics” but I didn’t know how severe it got. I admit I do love to shop, but I don’t consider myself to be an oniomaniac.

When I get money I rush to the mall, but I know how much money to spend. I try to save money every week, at least five dollars. I know that’s not much, but it adds up. Sometimes I find myself going into my savings and pulling out money just to buy the latest shoes or outfit, or to spend it on a new hairstyle. My appearance is very important to me, which is why I constantly spend money on new things, not because I feel empty inside. I have to keep myself up, not to impress other people but to impress myself. Just like Crissinda, when I dress confidently, I feel confident.
My savings are slowly but surely growing. I’m trying harder to keep money saved, being that I’m a senior and I’m going off to college next year. I’m getting better at it.
— Ke’Yonna-Bianca Jones, 17

I’ve enjoyed reading VOX, and I want to comment on one of your articles entitled “Why Don’t You Like Me?” I struggled for years to overcome my obsession with people liking me.” I related to this article because so many of my friends sometimes don’t feel comfortable with themselves so they try to act differently around others to fit in. I don’t like that. I know life can be hard sometimes, but no matter what kind of situations I get into, I am always myself. If people don’t like that, it’s fine with me because the people that I do love and respect will always love and respect me. Even when it does get hard, I look to the Lord for guidance on my journey through this world. I know that he knows what’s best for me. You also have to remember if you don’t love yourself then no one else will love you.
— Demetria Bluitt,17

Letters may be edited for space and grammar. If you would like to raise your voice on a story in this month’s issue, email us at vox@VoxRox.org. Please include your full name, age and school. Teachers, we welcome classroom sets!