"Young, old, innocent, guilty [members] of all races and creeds, [with a variety of] incomes and backgrounds, can now claim the status of victim. For example, a midwestern government professor claimed minority status because he rides a bicycle. He claims that he's a victim of motorism, the institutionalized bigotry and Nazi-like behavior of those who drive motorized vehicles. A prisoner in Florida, who had killed five people, sued after lightning knocked out the prison's tv satellite dish. As a result, he had to watch network programs, which he said contained violence, profanity, and other objectionable material.

Nowadays, those who can't find a suitable victim category often claim that they have been treated unfairly by mere virtue of the fact that they were caught doing something wrong. This is the 'victim status' an accused drug-dealer assumed when he was arrested during a sweep of dealers working near public schools. He claimed that the sweep was a 'separate and unequal' prosecution targeting minorities.

Of all the strange claims within the victim movement, none would seem as anomalous as that being made by women's and civil rights groups. While the two groups once fought for equality, new-age feminists and civil rights activists are now arguing that since women and minorities are socially disadvantaged, treating them as equals before the law only further victimizes them. There are many that specifically warn against this kind of thinking. According to Supreme court Justice Clarence Thomas, the worst kind of racism is the feeling that someone is inferior, so we have to help them. But that is exactly the kind of feeling the current wisdom promotes. General Colin Powell takes a slightly different angle. He lectures students about staying in school, keeping away from drugs and alcohol, and being proud of who you are. He reminds students not to let their differences become a problem for them.

Both Thomas and Powell are respected leaders, so why aren't more people listening to them? According to journalist John Taylor, the reason is that many blacks believe that the two betrayed their race by shedding the victim status. Women, however, feel that neither can relate to the problems faced by women because they are men. Others speculate that the reason is because victimization is such a powerful force. In his book, The Content Of Our Character, Shelby Steele attempts to explain why so many people are willing to give up responsibility for, and control of, their lives in order to assume the role of victim. What they lose in power, he observes, 'they gain in innocence. Innocence is restored because an injustice was done and the guilt of others becomes something to hold over them.'

So what can you, as an individual, do to end the culture of victimization in America? Instead of adding your voice to the countless cries of victims that are deafening America, take responsibility for yourself. If you do something wrong, own up to it. If you see something happening that you don't agree with, do something about it. Take back control of your life, and then help others take back control of theirs.

Ron Racicki of New Underwood, South Dakota, is a prime example of this. He decided to help the youth of New Underwood by getting involved. He helped form the New Underwood Youth Recreation Inc., establish Little League baseball, softball, and T-ball programs, coached the girls softball team and boys basketball team, and participates actively in the New Underwood Boy Scout program.

Although it may seem that the Ron Racickis of the world are few and far between, that's not the case. Recently, a Rapid City family found a whole community of them. When their young son, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, was selected to undergo experimental gene therapy, they asked the Rapid City community and surrounding areas to help them pay for the procedure, which wasn't covered by their insurance. Rapid City answered their request and the family has almost raised enough money to finish paying for the treatment. Adults aren't the only ones getting involved, either. Students at Stagebarn Elementary in Rapid City are joining in the fight against drugs. They are raising money to buy a drug-sniffing dog for the Meade County Sheriff's Department.

When Jabri Martin, a senior at Marietta High School near Atlanta, Georgia, saw that the racial tension in his school was mounting, he organized an International Week. During this week, speakers representing different cultures came and talked to students about their backgrounds. Martin says he believes that people of all backgrounds should respect each other. Martin is not alone in his belief. Edwina Parrish, seeing the same problems Martin saw, started a Harmony Council at her school. The council, a multicultural group, goes around to different schools and educates people about their differences.

I hear it all the time. My generation, ominously named Generation X, has no values, no morals, no decency, and no sense of responsibility. Just as often, I hear my generation blaming our parents for the way we turned out. In turn, I see the Baby-boomers blaming their parents, Hollywood, television, and the media for the problems of their children. I see everyone standing around pointing fingers, and nobody accepting responsibility. Instead of solving the problem, however, the blame game makes it worse, leaving true victims, such as those of racism and abuse, lost in the middle.

Obviously, something went wrong. Instead of trying to figure out when and why and who's at fault, attention needs to be focused on a solution. The Baby-boomers and Generation X have an obligation to the future generations to stop whining and start helping. Then, and only then, will America be able to reverse the current culture of victimization."
Elizabeth Colleen Jones, New Underwood High School, New Underwood, South Dakota

"Crime is a ruthless disease that is plaguing our country. People are too content with pointing fingers and laying the blame on someone or something else ('It's their parents fault', 'It's all due to society'). People really need to come up with a plan to decrease the crime rate in America. Who's responsible for the crime in America, and what can be done to control it?

First, you have to look at where the lack of responsibility is that results in our high crime rate. The United States has a high level of violent crimes with a very high share of these crimes being committed with firearms. Yet the blame cannot be entirely based on the owners of the firearms. As of 1990, it was estimated that there were roughly 150 million guns in the civilian stock. Of this 150 million, one-half were suspected to be the 'bad guns': Machine guns, assault weapons, plastic guns, and 'Saturday Night Specials'-small cheap handguns. It is the responsibility of the government to crack down on the illegal possession and manufacture of these firearms.

The blame also cannot be based entirely on the manufacturers of the firearms. As stated by the National Rifle Association, 'People Kill, Guns don't. It takes someone to pull the trigger.' This saying couldn't possibly have any more truth to it. In 1990 alone, there were over 1,440,000 assaults and homicides, with over 34,000 deaths as a result of a gunshot wound. The question to where the responsibility of the murderers lie is one with a couple of different answers. Some people believe it is the responsibility of the government to crack down on violent crime offenders by increasing the frequency of the death penalty and the time spent in jail. Others believe it is the responsibility of the parents and guardians to provide a caring and nurturing environment for the young people of the country to grow up in. They believe this will produce less teens and adults that grow up hostile and angry at the rest of society. I think it will take a combination of both of these solutions to the crime rate.

The federal government has taken a couple of positive steps in preventing violent crime. The most important [step] would have to be [passage of] the Brady Bill. This bill gives Congress the power to declare what types of guns are illegal to own and which persons are restricted from owning firearms. This is [because] reducing the availability of one major, highly lethal tool for inflicting violence, the frequency or at least the seriousness of violent acts will be reduced. The government also has taken control [of] the manufacture, importation, and use of guns.

Groups such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and students who are concerned with safety have developed 'Save a Life - Turn in Your Gun' campaigns. Students who participate in this program are rewarded for doing so. In 1993, a middle-school in southern Chicago received over 200 guns. This number may seem small to some, but it is 200 more guns taken out of the hands of youngsters who someday might have killed.

The schools also have [programs] such as sports and drama, which provide a positive alternative to violence. Boys Town provides people to talk to if you have a problem and need a way to vent your anger and frustration. YMCA provides a place for people to go and become involved in activities, thus taking them off of the streets.

All of these organizations have showed good examples of responsibility by reducing the amount of guns in society, providing positive alternatives to violence, and giving counseling to people who are troubled to show them there is a different, more positive way to deal with [problems]. Yet, even with their efforts, violent crime is still [rampant] and is expected to become even more serious with the inevitable rise in the population. The country as a whole needs to work on becoming responsible for the crime rate.

There are a couple of different ways to bring about a decrease in crime. First off, I believe government should become even more active. They should tighten gun control as much as possible without infringing on the law-abiding citizen's constitutional right to bear arms [and] [increase] the police force.

Secondly, schools and community organizations need to become more involved. They need to provide counseling and Save-A-Life campaigns to help troubled people help themselves. Parents can also become more involved by the way in which they raise their children. They need to provide love and nurturing to their kids and show them that violence is unacceptable. In doing so, the children will continue these virtues on into adulthood.

Lastly, the nation as a whole has to challenge itself. [Citizens should] challenge each other to make the United States a safer place to live.

The people of the United States have a monumental task ahead of them. If they follow these guidelines and set examples for the [young], the crime rate could very easily begin to decrease."
Adam James Szymonski, New Underwood High School, New Underwood, South Dakota

Affirmative Action

"I am a senior this year, waiting for graduation to roll around in the spring [and anticipating] getting a job. The country is full of problems, the debt, deficit, environmentalists, and a big problem that concerns me is affirmative action. Affirmative action clearly defined by Mr. Webster is an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of minority groups and women.

I feel that affirmative action creates more problems than it solves. One problem that comes from affirmative action is disparity between the majority working people and the minority group. 'Julia McLaughlin, 12 years old, filed a lawsuit against Boston Latin School. It denied her admission although she did well enough on the exam to earn her a position in the school. She was denied because she is white and couldn't be admitted [because Boston Latin had to] maintain its 35 percent minority representation.' This, and other examples, cause great resentment towards blacks, Hispanics and women. 'A study of recent college graduates reveals that minorities received more job offers and slightly higher starting salaries than their white counterparts.'

Affirmative action boils down to reverse discrimination, plain and simple. The creators of affirmative action had the right idea giving minorities equal opportunities. But turning down twenty white job applicants just to hire one minority because of government [mandates] is wrong.

I don't think government should have anything to say about who an employer hires. It's his business; he should have full control over it. He should also feel comfortable about who is working for and with him.

There have been cases of people beating affirmative action. 'Birmingham Alabama Fire Department is a good example of how affirmative action can foster resentment and prejudices that are [the] reverse of those [they] intend to overcome. In 1981, the city began passing over whites...and giving promotions to blacks who were less qualified. In 1994, the United States Court of Appeals ruled in favor of white firefighters who challenged the quota system.' The Supreme Court's decision in Adarrand Constructors Inc. vs. Pena' also 'shook the foundations of affirmative action.'

Good things are happening without affirmative action. As Roberta Cooper Ramo said- 'I got ahead without the benefit of affirmative action.' This statement really touched me. If she got ahead, I don't see why most or at least a good portion of the minorities couldn't.

Affirmative action, as I interpret it, is a cover-up for poverty. If affirmative action is so great why are so many able-bodied persons still on welfare? Surely they can't use the excuse that the reason they can't get a job is because they were discriminated against.

Instead of all of the precious taxpayer's money going towards the Bosnians to keep them from fighting, why don't we resolve the problems we have here at home? Put money towards education. More money in the education field means more teachers, more schools, better educated individuals, and better opportunities, not just for the minorities, but for everyone. A big step would be to cut government waste, cut all foreign aid that is not essential to U.S. interests and put that money into building affordable public colleges.

In conclusion, I would be very disappointed after 12+ years of schooling to be turned down at a job interview just because the company has to maintain a 35 percent minority representation. Affirmative action as we know it should be ended today."
Tom Sires, New Underwood High School, New Underwood South Dakota

"A growing concern in today's society is kids and crime, or more specifically, kids and guns. Some may describe this problem, as, today's youth not having the same basic values that they used to. Parents blame the school systems for not teaching the kids how to behave. The schools believe that the parents are responsible. Law enforcers do not know who to blame, but they do know that they have a problem on their hands. Many people believe that values such as honesty and respect need to be taught to children, although, nobody can decide whether they should be taught in school or at home. Nobody wants to be responsible for the actions of kids, including the kids themselves.

The largest problem with youth crime evolves around guns. The easiest place to see this is the schools. With record numbers of kids carrying weapons to school, violence is on the rise. 'School violence has become a dismal fact of life, yet many educators continue to respond with not-in-my-schoolyard denial.' One factor that contributes to this is the easy availability of guns. 'Drug gangs have put more guns on the street than ever before.' This makes it possible for kids to find guns with relatively no trouble at all. Since so many kids have guns or other weapons, kids who aren't normally problem children or criminals, are now getting guns. With so many kids scared for their own lives, guns are regaining their definition as equalizers. The attitude of many students today is that it is a kill or be killed world. This problem does not only exist in the big cities. Many smaller schools are finding it necessary to check for weapons, as school violence has been on the rise everywhere. 'In Crosby, Texas (a town with a population of only 1,811), a 17 year old boy was shot on September 18, 1991.' To many students in what might be called tough-luck schools, guns are as common a sight as everyday school supplies. 'Schools are not creating safe environments. Law enforcement is not adequately involved.'

Although many people share this attitude, school officials say that it is tougher to regulate than people realize. Police cannot turn schools into armed camps.

No one denies that something needs to be done about the problem. The most agreed upon, and the most logical solution is the teaching of values and self-respect. Once again the problem is that no one can decide who should be teaching these values.

Although many parents don't want to take it upon themselves to instill values in their children, they are offended if it is attempted in the schools. The people that need to be targeted are the younger generation; the impressionable ones. They need to be taught basic right and wrong before they learn the kill or be killed theory. [However] some parents feel that their kids should be taught the ABC's, and not religion and morals.

Steps are being taken to remedy this problem Training now prepares [teachers] to break up fights [and] teach children nonviolent alternatives to their problems. Also it is suggested that schools use reasonable discipline to instill respect in kids. This is also subject to criticism, because who is to say how much discipline is too much.

Signs of improvement can be seen ahead. The National School Safety Center (NSSC) has developed a training program in crisis prevention, management, and resolution. A 34-year-old woman, Pam Lychner recently founded a Houston-based citizens group called, Justice for All. Hopefully the steps that are being taken today will make an impact tomorrow.

[To sum up] schools need to take responsibility, and parents need to take responsibility and initiative to teach their children. Maybe most importantly, the kids themselves need to be accountable for their actions. Self-respect, common sense, and other values will hopefully become a priority for kids again."
Brady Carmichael, New Underwood High School, New Underwood, South Dakota

"During the Los Angeles riots hundreds of law abiding citizens were able to take up arms against lawless mobs to defend themselves, their families, their homes, and their businesses. They did the job police simply couldn't. Lives were saved. Robberies were prevented. Homes were defended and left intact, all thanks to our constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Despite the lessons from these riots, and the fact that millions of Americans use firearms every year to prevent violent crime; despite the clear intent of our founding fathers, there are those who believe [Americans] do not have the right to own a gun. The second amendment reads as follows 'A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.' This amendment has been interpreted in many ways. The interpretation of the constitution is the responsibility of the Supreme Court and the responsibility of all to defend.

This responsibility is the topic I want to discuss. Different people view the second amendment in different ways. Some are against it and others are for it. There are two main points of the amendment. One is the militia and the other is the right of the people.

Militia is a term that is no longer used and quite antiquated. It refers to the common people who join together in times of need to fight for their security. It was common practice in the early years of the country and a responsibility that today, has been traded to the national guard. If it was meant that it was the right of the militia to keep and bear arms then the amendment is no longer useful. However, some consider the militia to still be the common people, therefore they maintain the rights. Others think that anywhere the constitution says 'the people' that it concerns the population as a whole. This point has held up in court before with the fourth and ninth amendments. The right to free speech hasn't changed though their have been giant leaps in media technology so why should there be changes in the right to bear arms?

Unfortunately [this] precious right [is threatened]. There are at least 16 anti-gun bills before the United States Congress. Hundreds more exist before state legislatures and city councils. The politicians, in their quest to fight crime, are attacking the sacred constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

Should there be any limits to the kinds of arms the second amendment guarantees?...Advocates of gun bans seem to speak for the majority of police officials and the public when in fact polls show extremely different views. The SSPBA (Southern States Police Benevolent Association) recently conducted a survey with some interesting results. The poll, consisting of policemen, showed that the majority of the people have a different view than what anti-gun activists do. The results were as follows: 95.8% oppose gun bans, 96.4% say people should have the right to own guns for self-protection, 89.5% say the criminal justice system needs major reform, 84.5% say waiting periods won't stop criminals from getting guns, 90.1% say the U.S. Constitution guarantees every law-abiding citizen the right to own firearms.

In July 1989 ATF formally banned 43 types of imported assault rifles. Criteria for banning included the ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine and bayonet; and the presence of a folding or telescoping stock, pistol grip, flash suppressor, bipod mount, grenade launcher or night sight. Obviously these options aren't necessary for normal use by average Americans and I would be [suspicious] of anyone owning any of the models...banned.

Youth organizations such as 4-H and Boy Scouts of America have been offering firearm training courses for many years....The Boy Scouts have been teaching safety skills since 1911. Winchester, Sturm Ruger & Co., Smith & Wesson, and Browning also have been teaching courses on gun safety. The NRA spends millions of dollars trying to protect Americans constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Annual revenues for the NRA were $148 million for 1994. These programs show that there are positive things happening in the world of gun control.

Today there are increased rates of violent crime and they are usually committed with a firearm of some type. In January, 1987, Patrick Purdy purchased an AK-47 assault rifle after waiting the 15-day period. A few days later he walked onto a school ground and preceded to kill five children and injure 29 others.

James Huberty walked into a McDonald's in San Ysidro, California and killed 21 people and injured 19 with an UZI carbine. Firearms caused 26,442 deaths during the years 1977-1983 in California alone.

All points considered, the responsibility of gun control [rests with] the citizens of the United States. I don't think there is any changes that will be made by the result of laws. I do believe that this is an important topic and people should be aware of it. As far as guns causing all the problems with violent crimes I think there is an old adage that sums up the situation pretty well: 'There's more than one way to skin a rabbit'."
Ronald E. Seibert, New Underwood High School, New Underwood, South Dakota

"Violence [is] a major problem, and Violence can be found in schools, in homes, on the streets, across countries, and even in some work areas. To start out I would like to give you three good examples [of] violence. First we have the Million Man March where Farrakan had a march consisting of blacks against violence in their neighborhoods. Second in some communities people have set up crime watches to help better protect their neighborhoods. Third television stations are now going to be putting warnings on TV shows that are potentially upsetting.

People [commit] violent acts because of girlfriends or boyfriends, friends, and just because they feel like it. On the streets, in larger cities like New York, kids or adults can get a gun for as little as twenty-five dollars. In a survey of one hundred students, ninety have guns or can get guns. Violent acts are [often] blamed on the structure of the law. This is because people believe that lawyers, police forces, and judges [are] the only control on violence. [But] there are many forms of violence, including war, domestic violence, child-abuse, crime, assassinations, economic, racial, religious, police, and personal violence The problem with all this violence is that not everybody knows it exists. Take for instance child-abuse. If it was happening right next door to you, would you know about it?

In the case of Little Elisa, no one really knew she was getting beaten by her mother until it was to late to stop it. The voices of violence are very seldom heard because people, in general, are afraid of what will happen if they speak out against it. The worst form of violence is not keeping our children safe from abuse, neglect, disease, exploitation, and hunger. Today violence increases faster than population due to the fact that we are not well educated in this area.

The solution to this problem lies within the people themselves. People shouldn't place all the responsibility on judges, lawyers, or scientists to solve the problem, Karl Menninger once said, 'It is a daily, hourly struggle for each of us to rise above primitive patterns of maintaining the eternal balance of aggression and guilt, vengeance and mercy, self defense and masochism, intolerance and compassion.' To me this means that each of us has to learn to take full responsibility for our own actions no matter what the conquences may be. There are many people who are trying to stop violence, but the attitudes of the public stop them from doing so. People are afraid of controversy. The problem of violence should therefore be taught in schools to make sure that everyone is educated against violence and can better understand its consequences.

The first step should be for congress to come up with a bill that makes every public and private school teach students about violence. The second step begins with the people. They should report all violent behavior. The third step [concerns] the police. They should act promptly, [which] means that instead of waiting untill situations get out of hand, they should try and prevent them from starting. The final step ends with the people who [commit] violent acts. These people should start to realize that not only are they hurting their victims, but they are also hurting themselves, the victims' friends and family members. I also think that offenders should face charges brought against them even if they are insane."
Kimberly Pritzkau, New Underwood High School, New Underwood, South Dakota

"Drugs are the cause of many problems in America, from gangs to violent crimes. They are invading once safe ports such as schools, libraries, restaurants, courts and homes.

Times sure have changed. In the past, arguments were settled with fists, now they are settled with guns. Places where people once felt safe are now danger zones. Schools have become overwhelmed with kids bringing drugs and firearms to school. Even the kids that aren't otherwise criminals are suddenly reaching for guns to protect themselves. Almost 3 million crimes occur on or near school campuses every year: 16,000 per school day, or one every 6 seconds.

Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn has become an inner city fortress. Guns are as familiar as books to these kids. At Jefferson High School 'If you had the money, you could get yourself a gun in fifteen minutes.' They have installed many measures to insure the kids' safety, from security screens on the window and steel plates on the doors to metal detectors at the entrance ways to the school. Even with these security steps, many weapons still enter the school. In 1992 alone the city of New York had 5 teachers, 1 cop, 2 parents, and 16 students shot-- six of them fatally.

Many of the guns that kids bring to school belong to their parents. Eighty to ninety percent of the guns that wind up being seized by school officials come from home. Many states have imposed restrictions on gun ownership. In California they have made parents criminally responsible for shootings involving their children.

According to the Center for Disease Control, one student in five reports carrying a weapon of some type and about 1 student in 20 reports carrying a gun. Kids as young as fourth and fifth graders are carrying weapons to protect themselves. Homicide is the leading cause of death among black males under the age of 35.

In Kenosha, Wisconsin, 25 year old Dion Terres entered a McDonald's restaurant and started shooting. He unloaded three shots into a crowd, killing two middle age customers and wounding another before turning the gun on himself. Another incident happened [at a movie] in Kansas City, Missouri. About 25 minutes after the lights went down a teenager pulled a handgun and pumped rounds into his mothers head. The boy then left the theater and strolled the mall. He was arrested swiftly following the incident.

Violent crime effects everyone, even the rich and famous. James Jordan, Michael Jordan's father, was found in South Carolina's Gum Swamp Creek with three bullet wounds in his chest. There was no motive. This was just another car jacking and this could have been anyone's dad. Crime is not the only growing problem in America; drugs are also a big problem.

Many neighborhoods in America today have been taken over by crack dealers and gangs. People have been scared to walk around their own neighborhood for years. Many neighborhoods are getting fed up with the crime in their streets and are starting to do something about it. Many good programs are being started. In Los Angeles the community members have started their was against crack dealers in their neighborhood. They have had marches against drugs, boarded up crack houses, and have had night patrols to call in drug deals to the police. In Boston they even have a toll free hot-line to call in crack deals. In Detroit two local men took it upon themselves to torch a local crack house. The two men were arrested and tried for arson. They were acquitted by a jury that accepted their argument that the crack-house attack was a form of self-defence. In Chicago St. Sabina Church is a safe haven for kids that come from crack-homes. Reverend George Clements and Michael Pfleger are helping in the fight against drugs by leading 200 people on an anti-drug march through the south side. Every little bit helps in the war against drugs and violent crime.

I think the schools are doing the right thing by having metal detectors in the doors and police in the school. If there is a problem in a certain school, that school should have the right to try and solve the problem. If it takes searching each student before they enter the school, that is what they should do. Children committing an adult crime should do adult time. If they are old enough to murder someone they are old enough to face the consequences.

It is a good thing when neighborhoods help the police in the war against drugs. The police can't do it themselves and everyone has to be involved. Protests and marches through drug infested neighborhoods are a peaceful way to fight the drug problem. Neighborhood watches and people calling in drug deals can discourage drug dealers. Just one person can't solve the problem, it will take everyone to band together to get rid of this problem in todays society. The problems of violent crime and drugs are growing every day. People become depressed and have the feeling that they can't make anything out of their life. They feel that they don't have anything to loose, so they commit violent crimes and take drugs to make themselves feel better. The war on drugs and violent crime is just beginning. People will only take so much before they fight, and I think we've taken enough."
Keith Knuppe, New Underwood High School, New Underwood, South Dakota

"In the news the whole nation gasped from the report of a sickening murder of a beautiful young girl that didn't even get a chance in life. Her wicked, evil, drug infested mother beat and tortured her to death, eventually killing her by beating her head against a wall. If this woman doesn't deserve the death sentence, what kind of person does? I don't want to hear that she was insane, disturbed or mentally challenged. That is the main problem with America my friends! This woman should be executed but she won't be. . .

Letting this woman off the hook will be a message to every violent crime prone person in our nation that says "Hey, nobody gives a damn what I do, the worst that will happen is I'll have to go to jail for a while, my life sucks anyway, I may as well do whatever I want." Public hangings helped win the old West, they worked back then, I can't except the adage that this kind of violent punishment will only breed more violence. Don't get me wrong, we are setting an example, but is it the right one?"

"Adults aren't the only ones getting involved, either. Students at Stagebarn Elementary in Rapid City are joining in the fight against drugs. They are raising money to buy a drug-sniffing dog for the Meade County Sheriff's Department. When Jabri Martin, a senior at Marietta High School near Atlanta, CA, saw that the racial tension in his school was mounting, he organized an international Week. During this week, speakers representing different cultures came and talked to students about their backgrounds.Martin says he believes that people of all backgrounds should respect each other. Martin is not alone in his belief. Edwina Parrish, seeing the same problems Martin saw, started a "Harmony Council" at her school. The council, a multicultural group, goes around to different schools and educates people about their differences.

"America needs to find a solution to make criminals think first about committing a crime.

What would be the correct solution? Do we do something dramatic or do we do something small at a gradual pace? Something dramatic would be to go back to the rules of the past: if somebody kills someone they would be hanged or shot. If somebody stole an item from another they would get their hand chopped off. Maybe [criminals] need more punishments like these so people will stop committing. . .crimes in the first place.

The young American. . .over in Singapore that was caught vandalizing someone else's property, suffered their punishment, which is caning. Singapore does not have a lot of crime. Maybe this is the reason. . .is this what we need in America?"
Dallas Richter, New Underwood High School, New Underwood, South Dakota