I was doing a project for history class on the 21st ammendment (the one that repealed prohibition) and curiously enough, I happened to stumble upon this. I was ecstatic when I found it, because for the last few weeks I've been thinking alot about youth rights, and how it's strange that there hasn't been a civil rights movement for the youth population. Well, now there is!
Some of the issues they focus on:
- age discrimination in the workplace
- curfew laws
- drinking age
- voting age
- driving age and "graduated license" programs
- ability of young people to "work with the banking system and contracts"
- age-based rating systems and censorship in entertainment
- equal free speach for young people
- emancipation
- status offences (giving minors harsher penalties than adults)
And in addition the above issues, which are stated on their website, many of the members of their forum (many or most of which are organization members) also stand for reform in things like child abuse, gambling age, minimum age for funning for office, behaviour modification (ritilan, "re-education" centers, etc.), and many other issues.
I'm so happy I found this... I'm considering joining.
Two things though:
1) I really wished they focused more on education... the organization states that it "deals only with civil rights -- freedom from oppression or discrimination by government, business or other powers -- rather than entitlement rights. We do not deal with issues like the quality of education or health care young people receive," even though several members on their message board have rightfully pointed out that "The Education section of the NYRA forums has more threads than any other issue section." The NYRA should really get more involved in this issue, as it seems not only to be the most prevelant, but it relates to so many other issues they focus on.
and 2) They should really have some fucking protests! Or a national cut school day or something... I mean, how are they supposed to get their message across if all they do is go on news talk shows all the time? I want to be out in the streets!
So, how do you guys feel about this? Any comments? Ideas? Suggestions? Are you ready to sign up, or is this just a bunch of whiney little brats who should learn to shut up and sit down? Check out the NYRA's forums if you feek the urge to talk about something, but can't quite think of a specific issue - they're ultra-swank.
P.S. If you're not American, that shouldn't stop you from commenting, you're country probably has similar problems with youth rights... perhaps you could even be the founder of the Internation Youth Rights Association! |
