By Jingwei Zhang
Oakland, Calif.
At five years old, I moved thousands of miles away and across an ocean, from a village in the Guangzhou province of China to Oakland, Calif. My parents were farmers who wanted me to have a better life, and they had heard that America was a land of opportunity. But it wasn’t until many years later that I realized the difference between my new home and the world I left behind. Continue reading
By Jingwei Zhang
Oakland, Calif.
Graphic by Daisy Gomez
Ever since Edward Snowden leaked evidence of U.S. spying programs, the world has been divided on the issue of whether he is a hero or a traitor. The U.S. government wants to prosecute Snowden as a traitor. Meanwhile, American and international public opinion is divided, but the world public tends to favor Snowden’s side.
I believe that Snowden is a traitor for exposing the fact that the United States hacked into the agencies and institutions of other countries. In essence, U.S. spying on foreign countries only complicates international relations in an era when the world is so interconnected that foreign relations are critical to a country’s standing. Continue reading
By Jhazalyn Prince
Brooklyn, N.Y.
My stomach clenched painfully as I opened the kitchen cabinet. Day by day, the contents continued to dwindle. I grabbed a Cup Noodles for the third time that day. It was the last package.
I was 13 when my parents separated. My brother, my mother and I had to leave our apartment and move to my grandmother’s apartment building. But in 2012, my mother lost her job, and we were evicted when we came up short on our rent. At age 16, I found myself homeless, embarrassed and angry—let down by my family. Continue reading
By Jasmine White
Birmingham, Ala.
For a moment, Riley Cooper got lost in all the celebrity. The money, the fame, adoration by millions all over the country—it appears that he found the glamor of it all seductive. But in recent weeks, it seems that Cooper has finally gotten a wakeup call: Fans leave just as easily as they emerge. Continue reading
By Mofida Abdelmageed
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Graphic by Daisy Gomez
New York City is sometimes referred to as a “fat,” rather than “fit,” city. In 2012, Mayor Michael Bloomberg supported a plan to ban the sale of sodas and other sugary beverages in sizes larger than 16 ounces in restaurants and other eateries. On July 30, however, a state appeals court rejected his plan, saying that he had overstepped his authority.
Some New Yorkers applauded the appeals court’s decision, but they do not understand the major health consequences that occur after continuously drinking soda for long periods of time. Bloomberg’s care and concern for his people is important, and his goal was to decrease obesity rates in New York. “Keep in mind, we’re trying to save the lives of these kids,” he said earlier this year. Continue reading
By Erick Arzate
Chicago, Ill.
According to NewsMedia Trend Watch, an average 18- and 19-year-old American spends more than 40 hours per week online, about the time commitment of a typical full-time job. In addition, by the year 2014 more than 77 percent of the world’s population will be active Internet users.
These numbers demand our attention. In today’s society, everyone depends on computers for nearly every facet of his or her life. Yet the average American has no idea how a computer works. Only 10 percent of schools even offer computer science courses—something that has to change if we are to meet the demands of tomorrow’s economy. Continue reading
By Shemaiah Clarke
Philadelphia, Pa.
Ever since moving to the United States from Trinidad and Tobago, I have been struck by how lenient American teachers are. In Trinidad and Tobago, where I lived until June 2012, there are high standards and students are expected to excel in school. Teachers assume an assertive role and constantly encourage students to work harder. Continue reading
By Kina Carney
Philadelphia, Pa.
The afternoon before she died, I stood at my mother’s hospital bedside with my grandma. I looked at all the tubes and machines that enveloped her body. I heard the ringing of the feeding machine. I saw the paleness of her face. The smell of the IVs made me run from the room, into the waiting arms of my grandma. That night, I heard my older brother crying. I ran to the top of the stairs to see what was wrong. I’d never seen him cry before. Continue reading
By Sara Solano
New York, N.Y.
I was 13 years old when my parents announced that we would be moving from our home in the Dominican Republic to New York City. My parents made a bad investment with the family business, and thought that we would have better opportunities in America.
This transition meant the end of gymnastics, cheerleading, art class, and soccer. I had to leave my friends and everything that was important to me. We applied for a visa, and on July 27, 2010, we arrived in New York to embark on a new journey. Continue reading
By Lauren Smith
Los Angeles, Calif.
Illustration by Semaj Earl
Hi. My name is Lauren. You probably don’t know me or ever will, but I hope what I have to say to you will have an impact on you, maybe even change your life.
I’m the girl in class who raised her hand when the teacher asked a question. I got good grades, participated in school clubs, and make friends with almost everyone. I never get in trouble. I have never done drugs or gotten drunk. I am what you might call a “goody-goody.”
Even with this “perfect” life, I harbored a deep emotional pain. I hated myself. My pain was on the inside, invisible to the world. I felt the need to please everyone and to make everyone like me. I felt absolutely worthless when I did not succeed. I often thought, “Who can love me? I always mess things up.” Continue reading
