Wise Monkey News is here to provide young people an opportunity to discuss the issues that affect their lives. We hope that, through your participation, this website serves as a forum for the development, exchange, and expression of ideas that will prepare us to assume our positions as the leaders of tomorrow's world. Have something to say?
One Child Policy
by: Ben Hays - printed on 11-07-2001
People pack the streets of China everyday from sunup to sundown. Bicycles fill the lanes with a steady blur of baskets and business suits. The sound of ringers is a constant melody, with the addition of a few mopeds thrown in for an offbeat. This is a typical day for Chinese people, who migrate to work through a sea of people. With China?s large population of over 1.2 billion, how could it ever change?
Population decrease has already begun when the Chinese government imposed a One Child Policy in 1978.
Third wave of executions in China
by: Mono Vergara - printed on 10-10-2001
After shooting the prisoners in the back of their heads, the executioners lay the corpses on ground, rapidly removing their organs so they can be used in transplants. Thousands of people witness these mass executions; among these crowds, the prisoners’ families watch the executions and search for answers. The family members have not seen the prisoners since the police took them to interrogate them.
An Indian, a Peckerwood, and a Higher Power
by: Ryan Bemis - printed on 02-14-2001
“Man on the left!” warns Andy.
I jump at his startling tone.
“Will you stop saying that everytime you see a police car!” I tell him.
The fact is, Andy can’t. He grew up in a small Californian reservation shantytown where cops beat him because he was a hotheaded Indian boy. The sight of a cop begets an impulsive “watch your back” mood.
Today, Andy recovers from the deadly disease of alcoholism.
Israel. Surely God is with us
by: Ryan Bemis - printed on 10-18-2000
In our safe little corner of the world, we may not be able to fathom the strange, chaotic, and hostile world in Israel and Palestine right now. How can it be that the Palestinians could reach such a violent rage and erupt through beating an Israeli soldier to death? Are these people crazy?
The situation resembles the state of unrest in India over a half a century ago when Gandhi worked for peace through non-violent tactics.
Backpacking in Japan
by: Bryan Jacobs - printed on 04-11-2001
One of my fondest memories of Japan was when I was camping on the beach in Hokkaido, the northernmost of the four main islands that form the country of Japan. I was sitting alone on the beach drinking an Asahi beer listening to Enya and watching the moon come up over the ocean. It was definitely one of the most beautiful moments of my life. The moonlight shimmering on the water as the waves were gently rolling in.
Binge drinking: The bridge to Alcoholism
by: Kelly Maggi - printed on 09-26-2001
I like to drink beer. I like the smell, taste, and texture of it; I like to go to bars and restaurants that serve it; and I like to be with friends when I drink it. I like to get a small buzz going sometimes. I am happy to say that this is the way I feel about beer, because I’m responsible when I drink it. I never get behind the wheel after drinking, I never drink alone, I drink in moderation, and there have been few instances in my life in which I have been drunk to the point of losing complete control of myself.