Parent Talk

Shaniqua Madison
Senior

Catherine Ferguson Academy

Hey parents let’s have a talk. Now some of you may be wondering she’s just a teen what can she have to say? Well, I’m more than a teen, I’m a teen mother. As a teen I have had many ups and downs. What I want to talk about is one thing I hope I never have to go through. Let’s talk about the violence that happens on New Years. Protect Children, Not Guns 2007 statistics shows that 58 preschoolers were killed by firearms, while 57 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. Now just imagine how much can happen on New Years alone. New Years is a day when not only adults, but teens decide to drink and get involve in violent activities. So let’s make a change. Let’s protect not only the children but ourselves from all the harm that can happen on New Years. The first thing we can do is show them that there are other things that can be done for fun besides what they see everyone else do. In order to prove this to them we have to do the same thing. So let’s make a change in our lives so that we can make a change in the world. Here are 20 ways to make your child feel great.

1. Show unconditional love
2. Express your anger responsibly
3. Make clear request
4. Learn to listen
5. Take your child’s feelings seriously
6. Validate your child existence
7. Find something to appreciate daily
8. Spend time alone with your child
9. Allow your child to do things for him/herself
10. Respect your child’s possessions
11. Respect your child opinions
12. Acknowledge you child’s abilities
13. Respect your child abilities
14. Teach children that they are more than just their body
15. Intervene when your child puts her/himself down
16. Express love nonverbally
17. Speak to your child at eye level
18. Avoid mixed messages
19. Share your feelings
20. Focus on each child’s uniqueness

Children and Gun Violence

Myleatta Wilson
Senior
Osborn University High School

Children should be protected from gun violence, not affected by it. A child should never be the victim of a bullet or any form of violence whatsoever. But too often on the news, in the daily paper or on the radio we are informed that a child has been the victim of a brutal murder, or grazed by a bullet and bled to death because the intentional victim was the parent. This issue needs to be addressed by everyone.

The safety of our children is important for the success of our future. The children are our future, and as parents and guardians we must instill in them the basic values of life that will ensure them to become responsible law abiding citizens, instead of murderers or criminals. It is important to be aware of what today’s youth are engaged in and to make sure that whatever activity they are engaged in is positive and acceptable.

Neighborhoods should join together in ensuring the safety of youth. Everyone should work together in making neighborhoods safer places to reside in. Schools should take more precautions in the safety of the classrooms of our local schools. We will need the assistance of everyone to change the violence to youth, and with this in mind the world could be a better place for everyone.

Gun Violence

Dimitris Yang
NSO/Youth Initiatives Project


Do guns kill people? Or do people kill people? That is the question that many people ask. Yes, people kill people, but with guns it’s quicker and easier. Gun violence has changed many peoples’ lives because of accidents and murders. I, myself have endured the hardships of the result of gun violence. It’s nothing to joke about and playing with guns really isn’t so fun. No one should fire a gun at anyone, unless that person is a threat to other innocent individuals. Still no one deserves to suffer through death.

Gun violence causes damage and catastrophe to the human society. It wounds, injures and kills millions of people each year. Not only that, but gun violence also brings destruction to buildings and owned property which costs money to repair and replace. Gun violence occurs among gangs which disturb the city and sets the surrounding environment in fear. In many cases, innocent people are often injured or killed in a gun war. Friends and family members then suffer the sorrow of their loss loved one because of this meaningless gun violence.

Children these days become very familiar with gun violence at an early age. They then become very interested in it also and imitate hand gestures. We should encourage parents to not buy such violent games for their children and also encourage them to not let their children watch violent television shows that involve guns. Children should be taught the dangers of gun violence and the outcome of what its effects are. They are the future and in order to make the future brighter and a safer place, we have to start with our younger generation.

New Years is the time where gun shots are fired into the air because the joy it brings to people. Unfortunately, sometimes a bullet may hit a very unlucky someone. That’s why guns shouldn’t be fired during New Years. No one deserves to be hit randomly by a bullet while celebrating the start of a new year. New Years can be celebrated in many different ways instead of gunfire. People should be aware of the consequences of firing a bullet in the air because it puts everyone around them in danger.
In closing, gun violence should be stopped. It really isn’t possible but we may decrease the gun violence around our community by telling others the dangers and outcomes of it. Although stopping gun violence sounds a bit too good to be true, we can all help one another to put it to an end. It may seem like a very ambitious thing to do, but the reward and conclusions are worth more than anything. There is not one person who doesn’t want violence to end. We all do, and together, we can make a difference.

Stop Using Guns

Marvin Hatten
Columbus Middle School

We can end gun violence by not using guns. GUNS KILL! Let's start a petition in the community to end the violence!!

Stopping Gun Violence

Jasmine Mims
Columbus Middle School

We can stop the violence in our community by having more police officers on duty. The police can place individuals in jail who commit crimes. Posters can be placed in our communities, and advertisements in the city paper. If people can get the word out, maybe more people will open their eyes and stop the violence.

Gun Violence Should End

Kevin Adolph
Columbus Middle School

There are some things that we can do to stop gun violence in our community. We can begin by starting a petition, not only in our schools, but around the community. The more signatures we get, the more effort is shown that the gun violence should end.

How To Reduce Gun Violence

Taylor Ellington;
Kijuan Miller;
Jesse Richie; and
Brinique Shorter-Collins
Columbus Middle School Students

-Tell people to stop taking their anger out on the wrong person

-People should not have guns

-Help people tell their feelings and express themselves

-The police should stake out alleys in the neighborhoods

-Stop people from selling guns on the streets
-Encourage the police to crack down and stop gun violence on the streets

-Prepare younger kids to inspire their peers to help end violence

-We can speak and make sure that our voice are heard to make a change

-We can speak out not and not after a death has occurred.