Where I Stand — Yanne Givens: Dialogue on America

Friday, Jan. 4, 2002 | 9 a.m.

Editor's note: More than 900 Clark County high school students participated in the 46th annual Sun Youth Forum Nov. 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The students were divided into groups to discuss seven selected topics. A spokesperson was chosen from each discussion group to write a column about the students' findings. Yanne Givens of Valley High School tells of the students' opinions in the session entitled "America."

STUDENTS in our Sun Youth Forum group discussed a spectrum of current issues under the topic of "America" that included the death penalty, same-sex marriages, terrorism, immigration and abortion.

As you might guess, we had our hands full. Given such controversial issues, our group of opinionated teenagers found it difficult to come to a consensus about solutions. However, we did manage to engage one another, and the dialogue was not only intriguing but it also was insightful.

The Sept. 11 tragedies triggered a lively debate about how the United States should react to terrorism and how Americans can protect themselves. We decided that the government should take every precaution, even if it means infringing on individuals' rights so that the freedoms of democracy would ultimately be preserved. People should just go on with their lives and be more cautious and never give in to terrorists' murderous bullying.

No one knows when terrorists will strike or how much damage they will do. Capturing and killing the culprits will make them martyrs and elevate someone else as a new leader. We can never put an end to terrorism, although making Osama bin Laden an example could put a stop to it for awhile. The group felt that we, as a nation, should and must do something in retaliation for terrorist acts, otherwise we are risking allowing other groups and countries to believe that acts of violence against the United States are permissible when they are not. The majority of students in our group said terrorist groups must be pursued. We also concluded that better intelligence is needed, and that the persons responsible for the assault against America should be brought to justice.

We next focused on the issue of immigration. Our group concluded that immigration is an essential part of the American culture. It is what makes our nation diverse and rich. The point was made, however, that immigration should be limited and more closely monitored. Because there are so many foreigners in need of a new home, job opportunities or political freedoms, it is hard to decide who should be allowed in the country and who should not. Immigration is a component on which our country, the "melting pot," was founded. However, visas and other means of entering the United States must be controlled and checked.

The controversial topic of abortion resulted in the most divergent opinions of any of our discussions. Those who support abortion did so because of the medical risks that could be involved for the potential mother and/or the child. Those who were opposed argued that we should not support the murder of an innocent child as an escape from the consequence of a bad decision. Arguments went back and forth: when life begins, whether exceptions should be made for rape victims, the requirements and rights of American citizenship and the availability of adoption. Excellent points were made. It was difficult and eventually impossible for all of us to agree.

Conversely, we all felt nearly the same way about the death penalty. Although some students were concerned about the moral aspect of capital punishment, most of the group agreed that law-abiding citizens' tax dollars should not be used to support murderers. We also decided that if the comforts of prison were taken away, fewer people would be committing crimes in the first place.

My favorite topic was whether same-sex marriages should be legal. The issue was hotly debated. Those who support same-sex marriages argued that homosexual couples want and deserve benefits that come with marriage. When questioned about potential parenthood and the suitability of a household run by a gay couple for a child, students said one's ability as a parent cannot be based on his/her sexual preference. They also argued that to forbid the union of a gay couple is sexual discrimination and that we need to accept all people regardless of lifestyle differences.

Those who were "undecided" claimed that although it may be morally wrong, the separation of church and state prohibits lawmakers from withholding the privilege of matrimony based on religious beliefs. They said states will decide individually when and if same-sex marriages should be legal. Some students said same-sex marriages open the door for incestuous, inter-species and other kinds of marital unions.

Most of the students opposed to same-sex marriages did so for religious reasons, saying these unions are against God's laws. They sympathized with the children of a gay couple who would be ostracized, teased and influenced by the ways of their guardians. They also said it's genetically impossible to be born gay. Therefore, discrimination, in terms of a characteristic that can't be helped, is inapplicable and the government should not reward a chosen lifestyle at the cost of many to appease an undeserving few.

I appreciate the opportunity to report on these important issues that were discussed at the Sun Youth Forum. It was an enjoyable as well as enlightening experience from which we all benefited. I also would like to thank the Las Vegas Sun for hosting this event, which helped to broaden the horizons and stimulate the minds of students from across the Las Vegas Valley. The experience is something I won't forget anytime soon.