Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 January 1995 — Page 3

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1995

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAUt A3

Opinions

Youth violence: nation's top problem Nearly Ihree in four teens believe that teenage violence and crime is a major problem for them and for America today. A recent poll, commissioned by TV’s “Rolanda Show,” showed that youth violence has had an impact in theirdaily lives. According to the poll, 73 percent of teens consider “teenage violence and crime” a major problem, compared to a 53 percent rating for “racial tensions” being major problems for them. This poll and other data, show that parents and youth in small towns and in big cities should be alarmed because “violence in America is reaching epidemic proportions.” Even U.S. government reports say everyday in America, 14 children are killed by guns. In 1 ( )92, one in four victims of a violent crime was a juvenile ages 12 to 17. From 1986 to 1991, the homicide rate among youths ages 14 to 17 leaped 68 percent. Youth ages 12 to 17 are Five times more likely to be crime victims than adults older than 35. The “Rolanda” poll reports, “Teen violence is taking its toll on students in towns in every size in this country. In fact, students in small cities, suburbs and rural communities, once considered safe havens from urban crime, are now twice as likely to carry weapons as students living in large cities.” In addition, students who live in the West are twice as likely as those in the Northeast to know someone who has died violently. More than half of all students know someone in their neighborhoods or schools who carry a weapon. The poll, and daily law enforcement statistics, reveal parents and school officials have a formidable challenge if they are to rid America’s youth of this life-threatening problem. “What this survey tells us is that teen violence is by no means exclusively an urban problem any longer,” said Bruce Mckay, “Rolanda” co-executive producer. “It has become widespread and now permeates every region of the country, big and small, urban, suburban and rural. “Hopefully, by focusing attention upon teen violence with this survey we’ll be taking a positive step toward increasing greater awareness of a very critical problem.” While the general public may be recently becoming aware of these problems, they are a way of life with many youth. Violence is up in 38 percent of schools, reports the National League of Cities. Serious injuries have occurred in 48 percent of central city schools, in 19 percent of suburban schools, 24 percent of nonmetro city schools and 21 percent of rural schools. Figures show 21 percent of high school students say they know someone who died violently and 9 percent of big-city teens carry weapons while 51 percent of students say they know someone, teen or adult, in their neighborhoods or schools who ' carry a weapon, be it a knife, gun or other type. Also, violence begets violence and can be traced. According to the survey, more than one in four youths, 28 percent, who have carried a weapon, report there has been violence in their homes. African-American alarm should be up because while violence among youth is widespread, it is particularly common among boys, high school and minority students. Many are forming groups to help combat youth violence. Broadcasters, along with foundations and community organizations, have formed the “Act Against Violence” media campaign. Among the features of the program is a four-hour program, “What Can We Do About Violence? A Bill Moyers Special,” which will air in January on the Public Broadcasting System. The program presents reports on the growing number of people who are mobilizing to confront and stop the violence. The broadcast emphasizes workable solutions, ideas, attitudes and programs that help people whose lives have been marred by violence. “Most of us share a sense of horror about violence in our country,” Moyers said. “The good news is that in many communities, schools and companies and various branches of government are embracing a new sense of responsibility and accountability. Many people are coming up with the most creative solutions possible.” In Washington, D.C. for years the murder capital of the nation, “Project We Care,” a grass-roots campaign based on personal responsibility and accountability, has been formed by members of the Unification Church. “We have to do something more to stop the violence,” says John Robbins, who is white and a member of the Unification Church, voicing more concern than many Blacks who have tried to escape the problems of the city. “We can no longer escape to the suburbs. We can no longer feel as if others’ problems are not our own.” “Project Wc r are” is being promoted nationally by former U.S. Rep. WJ**r Fauntroy (D-D.C.) through Unificationist funding. - “America is in the midst of an epidemic of youth violence,” said Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Sti th, an African-American professor of public health practice at Harvard’s School of Public Health. “The children across this country are experiencing unprecedented tragedy, pain and fear. “But violence is not inevitable. It is a learned behavior and it is preventable. There are exciting and impressive programs scattered across the country that are models for prevention. We must take action for the sake of ourselves and our children.”

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Our youth can concentrate on positive things I’m an Indianapolis Public Schools teacher at Willard J. Gambold Middle School. The program I’ve developed is a youth organization for young people ages 12-18. Our youth group — which is mainly geared toward males— is creating an environment from which youth can gain the following: ‘Positive focus - keeping a positive outlook on life and the future. ‘Sense of direction - where you want to go in the future and in life. ‘Develop a set of personal standards - develop a set of rules to stick by that are personal and positive and allow no one tochange them. ‘Change of attitude - thinking positive, having positive actions. ‘Broader perspective of his community and the world around him - learning positive things about your community, things that are going on and how you can help broaden your horizon. This program will offer fun, educational and learning activities that will help improve social skills and create behavioral change. James Moore HI

Just-us for all the American way My four years in the United States Marine Corps, fighting for liberty and justice for all, were wasted. The Ohrberg family got justice when they lynched Resnover. Put, what about the family of tjie vop Sanders shot in the bac. . He is still walking around. What ?bout the family of the Black man th ‘ was shot by the man from Thorntown? He only got 31 years. When does the Black family get justice? It’s open season on Black, men. It is 1995, but we are still getting lynched. The Black man kills the Black Eye Pea manager and gets 110 years. A Black man, intoxicated, kills a police woman and gets eight years, plus one time served. A white woman, intoxicated, kills a 12-year-old boy and gets only three years. Justice for all? ...B.S. Irvin Pollard Three cheers for the Tates 1 would like to comment on how lucky the people of Indianapolis are to have in their community the Rev. an^j. Mrs. Douglas Tate, of Psalms Missionary Baptist Church. A good friend of mine was separated and lost from me while visiting my family in Indianapolis. The Tates took care of him and made sure he returned home safe and unharmed. To the Rev. and Mrs. Tate, I’d like to say thank you!

M,M MOM GOT KICKED Off WW JO?

MIT OMN pm RMM

Let's talk about sex the right way

Instructions for sex education in Indiana are contained in the 1995 HIV Prevention Plan for Indiana. You many read it at your nearest State Documentary Library, which either has copies or can get them from the State Board of Health. Who haswrittenthisplan, using tax dollars? The membership profile on Page 7 indicates that of the 13 males on the commission, seven are “gay male risk factors.” Of the 19 females, three are females with risk factors, seven are HIV positive and two are injection drug users. Would it not be better to have people writing an “HIV Prevention Plan,” who have better track records avoiding the disease? Although the effective role of

abstinence is repeated several times throughout the plan, as required by law, there is no recommendation for any abstinence-based curriculums such as “True Love Waits,” “Sex Respect,” “Creating Positive Relationships” and the like. Studies show these to be effective. The comprehensive sex education described in the plan ought to be effective. It is not. The incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases and illegitimate pregnancies continue to increase, and kids are having sex at younger and younger ages. As Barbara Dafoe Whitehead reports in the October issue of the Atlantic Monthly, an analysis of data complied by Planned Parenthood concludes, “a

knowledgeable 13-year-old is no more likely to use contraceptives than is an uniformed 13-year-old.” A condom is an invitation and when you combine the “nonjudgemental” happy talk about “safe sex” in the classroom with MTV and other popular culture, you have a recipe for sexual promiscuity,.which is what we’ve got., Is this the way you want sex taught in Indiana? Express your concerns to your stale senator and representative. Gov. Evan Bayh and state education board Superintendent Suellen Reed. Each may be reached at the State House, Indianapolis 46204. Roy V. Maxson, M.D.

Now, Uncle Sam Has a Way to Help Families and Students Afford College... And Save Taxpayers Billions !

Introducing New Individual Education Accounts Finally, there’s good news for families And good news for taxpayers, too. New Individual Education Accounts are here. Recently created by the President and the Congress, they make the American dream of an affordable college education a reality for many more young people and their families who thought it was beyond thur financial reach. Here’s how it works: • Borrowing for college is simpler Students get their loans directly though their colleges. No more confusion about where to go for loans. No more red tape.

Charles Heim Sheffield dosing? Say it isn't so I cannot imagine Sheffield Nursing Home closing! I have met and learned to love staff members who give immaculate care and are compassionate. Being that Sheffield is a Black family, I feel there is a personal vendetta to once again close something that can benefit the Black community. I am planning to get a petition against this action. I am in need of all the help I can get. A concerned family

• Loans are more affordable. The new direct loan program lowers fees and interest Kites for all types of college loans. • Pay back as you can. Students can tailor their repayment plan to match their ability to pay. That means they can start a business, do community service, or take other jobs w ithout being burdened with a big, fixed debt early in their careers. * • Refinancing is available. If students have more than one loan, an IEA can help consolidate them and offer a refinancing plan that makes more sense. • Taxpayers come out winners, too. With streamlined procedures, IE As will save American taxpayers billions of dollars in unnecessary costs. That is good news! For more information, call your college financial aid officer or l-8(H)-4FEDAID. THE NEW INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION ACCOUNT The better way to finance a college education. William Lj>. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program I S. Department of Education