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Teen Advice

Listen to this Commentary!

By Thessaly LaForce

Intro: Youth Radio's Thessaly La Force has some advice for adults trying to cope with stressful current events and government warnings of another terrorist attack.

Script:
Since September 11th, adults are starting to realize what it's like to be a teenager. Sounds strange, but think about it. Every time something tragic happens at schools, like a gang fight, or Columbine, adults take a tough stance. Either confiscating our things or making us go through stringent security.

Anthrax outbreaks and airport security lockdowns are definitely scary. But imagine having lockdowns like this everyday of your high school life. This isn't any different for us, except now we see it on the news, not just on campus. We're used to going through metal detectors, or getting our favorite pocket knives confiscated.

There is no reason why a normal person shouldn't be genuinely scared about everything that's happening. But teenagers, in many ways, aren't normal people.

Living with fear is nothing new for most of us. We've already woken up and wondered if our school is going to be the next Columbine, the same way you're now afraid to get on a plane. Adults always say "Trust me on this." But now trust us. In this case, the kids are in better shape to explain things to their parents. So I have some advice on how to get through the fear.

First of all, separate yourself a little from current events. Sure we read the newspaper, but there's also that European History assignment. Sure we watch the news, but there's also that episode of Friends. We are aware, we know current events, but after a certain point we have a red light that says: STOP. YOU HAVE TO GO ON WITH YOUR LIFE. Turn off CNN, and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Put down the New York Times and pick up that issue of People Magazine. You may feel a little less informed, but at least you'll be able to relax.

Second, use this excuse to treat yourself. Find a passion. Become a foreign film expert, and wear a trendy black beret. Learn to play the violin. Be sure to talk about it a lot, to distract other people from America's problems. Or just splurge. At the very least, get a manicure, or even a tattoo.

Finally, secretly believe you're immortal. That's what we do. Sometimes we stay up too late, drive a little too fast. Sometimes denial is a beautiful thing.

Honestly, as teenagers, we don't really know what we're doing with our lives, and we take it for granted that tomorrow will be there for us. You have to believe that too, no matter how old you are. And that's the best advice I can give you. For NPR News, I'm Thessaly LaForce.

Back Announce: That commentary was produced by Youth Radio.