Where I Stand — Emily Powers: Teens ready for America

Friday, Jan. 2, 2004 | 5:37 a.m.

Editor's note: Nearly 900 students from 41 high schools participated in the 48th annual Sun Youth Forum on Nov. 25. The students were divided into groups to discuss various topics. A spokesperson was chosen from each group to write a column about the students' findings. Emily Powers of Bonanza High School writes about her generation's views on a variety of issues covered in her group's topic, "America."

WEEKEND EDITION

January 3 - 4, 2004

FROM AFFIRMATIVE action to stem cell research, from the war in Iraq to immigration, students had plenty of issues to discuss and a diversity of perspectives were unveiled.

The issue of separation of church and state consumed the discussion as we talked about the impact that religion has on our government. Many supported the status quo. They said that religion does have a place in our schools and on our currency and declared that the government never exactly established a specific supreme being that Americans must acknowledge.

But some of this nation's citizens are atheists, who don't believe that there is a supreme being at all, and their opinions are being ignored and their rights stepped on by the majority. Although the majority does rule in a democracy, it is a fundamental principle of a democratic government to have a "majority rules with minority rights" attitude, and that is not occurring with the incomplete separation of church and state.

Students were divided. While half believed that religion is a personal issue that should be pursued during personal time, others believed that we must uphold the conventions of religion that our nation was founded on. Yet referring back to this nation's birth, America was a place of refuge for those seeking religious freedom, and if this nation was established as a place free of religious persecution, it only makes sense to limit government involvement on this issue and allow the individual to determine and have their own beliefs.

The most heated issue of the day came next: gay marriage. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on whether or not homosexual people should be granted the same rights as heterosexual people.

Some students believed that marriage is solely defined as marriage between a man and a woman. In my view, marriage is a civil right by law, and has been turned into a petty debate over whether or not a "marriage" is a union between a man and a woman, or any two people who love each other.

There were some students who expressed their concern that homosexual males are at the highest risk for AIDS, and yet I questioned: Do we force people to change their lifestyle, to deny them the right to love whomever they want, solely because they are of the same gender and are at risk for disease? Or do we uphold equality and demolish discrimination, not hiding from AIDS but pursuing education and awareness as well as funding for treatment and cures?

Essentially, discrimination has rooted itself as an inevitable issue in today's society. Forty years ago, a war over civil rights enveloped the United States as African Americans fought to have their voices heard and their rights protected, and yet Americans continue to be persecuted for personal qualities even in today's age.

A majority of the room concluded that social change is greatly needed in favor of the homosexual population, but will, like everything else, take time to occur.

As the day came to an end, a realization occurred. Although we did not all agree on the issues or always come to a consensus, we defended our beliefs and shared our opinions with others. Students were not afraid to address important issues that consume our nation today, and although many of the debated topics were controversial, it was beneficial and enriching to be exposed to so many different points of view.

We practiced the sacred rights that our democratic nation grants -- where everyone has the freedom of speech. The "youth" of Las Vegas, who will soon be part of the next American generation, are eager to have an impact on politics and on our nation. We are ready for the world, the only question now is, are you ready for us?