STUDENT LETTERS

From the issue of May 4, 2006.

AIDS epidemic deserves more press
To the editor:
   My classmates and I are writing to promote problems that we feel need to be addressed to the public via media. We are concentrating our powers of influence to convince you and others to represent our issues in your newspaper.
   It is my sole priority to stress to you the devastation that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is causing to sub-Saharan Africa.
   Lack of sexual protection, malnutrition, prostitution and lack of education have resulted in what is now a disease-ridden South Africa. The rapid spread of the disease leaves others and I wondering if this virus will make a pre-emptive strike on our sheltered Western society.
   Thoughts regarding the future potential dispersing of the disease are relatively devoid of the pop-culture obsessed of my age group, who are more concerned with which car mommy and daddy will buy them for their 16th birthday.
   As a member of Generation X, I am most fearful of the path that Western countries are taking, more fearful of a loss of power, rather than the indulgence in the help of deprived, AIDS-forsaken people of South Africa.
   This leaves us at a standstill when we inherit an infected world with radical ideals and the dissension of western dominance due to a present insufficient ability to provide aid and service to these down-trodden African states.
   AIDS is indicative of why foreign bickering is pointless, and now, unprepared, the world really is not ready for its first non-human attack on civilization since the Middle Ages and the bubonic plague.
   I urge you to consider what I have written about, and to realize the reason I am writing is not for fame, self-satisfaction, or any other selfish reasons, but rather I have written this in dedication and out of respect of my fellow members of the human race that are in dire need of help. I graciously thank you for taking the time out of your busy scheduled to consider my opinions.
   May my letter influence you to do things in your life for moral and ethical reasons rather than another dollar in your pocket.
Tyler Press

Hillsborough High School

Consumers contribute to child-labor problems
To the editor:
   I am a student at Hillsborough High School and am currently involved in an effort to raise awareness about the unjust and selfish use of child labor.
   This problem was exposed when our honors World History class viewed presentations about the horrors of modern-day child labor, which is used and even encouraged in other countries.
   The reason that child labor is such a crime against humanity is not because children are working, but because they are forced to work extended shifts on little or no pay around dangerous machinery in a disgusting environment. If the problem were the mere employment of children, it would not necessarily be an issue of world importance.
   However, children are often abducted by factory owners and forced to work for nothing. The main reason for death among child workers is typically fire. Since children are often working against their will, they are locked in rooms with no escape.
   If a fire ensues, the unsupervised children usually die.
   Child labor is by no means a new problem. However, it is a problem that has been perpetuated by constant competition and price-slashing in stores across America. Child labor has grown to become a global issue largely as a result of America’s outsourcing and high demands.
   No competitive companies will dare to profess that they attain their products from child labor, but it is this silence as well as the ignorance of consumers that encourages child labor. Many people do not feel that it is their responsibility as consumers to change their shopping habits merely because some companies choose to employ children.
   However, unless the consumers choose more wisely, companies will not feel compelled to change. There are many companies that make a point of their integrity. One such company, Phillips Van Heusen, has a policy regarding the production of their products.
   It is these policies that we need so desperately. America needs accountability, and the time to start is now.
   In order to halt the spread of this terrible practice, it is imperative that we recognize the implications of buying certain products. The only solution is to support companies like Phillips Van Heusen and to emphasize integrity, honesty and morals in all the major businesses. If we can start with integrity, we can end child labor.
David Wilson

Hillsborough High School

Little choices can save environment
To the editor:
   I just did a project on deforestation and global warming and I wanted to make the community aware of this major problem.
   Deforestation and global warming is a problem worldwide. Rainforests are being destroyed in South America, Asia and Africa.
   Although these areas may seem like a world away, the effects will be felt here and everywhere else in the world. Many corporations that you know contribute to this problem, including McDonalds, Home Depot, Lowes, Burger King and several other corporations.
   When rainforests are destroyed, many indigenous tribes lose their home. These tribes have been living in the rainforest for thousands of years and we come barging in and destroy their homes. Imagine a group of strangers coming into your house and destroying everything you own.
   Not only would it cost a lot of money to replace your possessions, you would also lose something that you cannot replace: memories and heirlooms. This is what happens to native tribes when companies come and cut down their forest along with their homes.
   Deforestation not only affects local tribes, but it also affects the atmosphere of the world. One of the biggest causes of global warming is deforestation. Global warming might not affect you but it will affect your children and grandchildren.
   Global warming will cause the oceans to rise as much as 20 feet, destroying beaches and beachfront property. An example of this upcoming catastrophe is in New Orleans where the whole city went under water. If the oceans rise 20 feet, New Orleans and many other cities below sea level will become uninhabitable, displacing thousands.
   Scientists predict by the end of this century, oceans will be at their highest level since 130,000 years ago. Deforestation is also increasing the extinction rate for many species of animals and plants. In South America, two thirds of all harlequin frogs have become extinct in the past five years.
   One study predicts that by 2050, over a million species of plants and animals will go extinct. As the oceans rise and species of animals die, there will be more attention given to this problem.
   However, we do not have to wait for millions of animals to die to solve this problem.
   There are several methods of preventing deforestation and many of them are easy. Try not to buy lumber that came from rainforests and try not to drive as much to cut down on pollution.
   Don’t drive down your driveway to get the mail, just walk. An even easier way to cut pollution is to use less electricity in your home. I’m not saying to go out and buy a hybrid car immediately, but you can do little things to help curb deforestation and global warming.
   If this problem continues, we will doom our children to a problem that will be too big of a problem to deal with in the future. We must stop deforestation and global warming in its tracks and help make the world a better place.
Steven Yashinski

Hillsborough High School