Life Uncensored Volume 1

Why Life Uncensored?
by Kevin V. Fifield Program Coordinator

You are holding in your hands the first copy of a student produced newspaper entitled Life Uncensored. The purpose of the paper is to give a voice to young people in our community an opportunity for them to tell you what it's like to be a teenager in the 21st century.

Life Uncensored is a joint project of HighRock Youth Ministries, the National Crime Prevention Strategy, and various organizations and businesses in the Truro area. Their commitment to see young people thrive and succeed, despite any strikes against them or preconceived ideas from the community at large, is the driving force of this initiative.

What you read and see here is 100% from the youth involved in this program. They are the writers, the photographers and the artists. What you read and see may not be what you expect or even want to know about. However, we feel it's vital for the health of our teens and our community for their voices to be heard.

When you read this paper, think about the teens you know and what they might say on any of the topics covered in the paper. Talk to them and get their feedback on the articles. Good relations start with good communication. Listen. Interact. Engage. Think.

Listen to their lives - uncensored.

Life Uncensored and Me
by Nicole Merrit

Hello my name is Nicole Merritt and I've been working at Life Uncensored since it began in November. I really enjoy coming, it is a good way to meet people. I also have an opportunity to write, which is something I love doing. Sometimes it is hard for me to write about specific topics, especially the one about the media influence on teens because it is personal. Seeing the influences these have on teens, I also recognize how they affect me. Apart from that I really like Life Uncensored. It was very easy for me to come here as I already knew most of the people.

I have learned a lot at Life Uncensored through the many workshops we have participated in. One of the topics was "Media Influence on Teens" which I was especially interested in as I am a teen myself.

It was difficult to realize that the world looks at teens differently. I find this hard because it seems that the world looks down on us just because of our age. Also, I learned how to become a better communicator through new ways of communication. This program has helped improve my writing ability a great deal and for that I am thankful. I think Life Uncensored is a great program and I love working here.

Photo (Communication)
by Mitchell Reid

Brand Names
by Twyla Wilband

When I go to the mall,
It isn't the brand names I look for at all.
I look first at the cost, then do they appeal to me.
So to the rule, an exception I will be.

I look all around to no amaze,
It seems other teens are in a spending haze.
They head for the brands that they saw on T.V.
Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, American Eagle, and Nike

They see the name, not what's priced.
The media really has them enticed.
Money doesn't matter when it comes to stuff,
Just the name brand, for "beauty and buff".

I don't understand why teens act this way,
It is not healthy, it's not okay!
Brand names are not the key,
Since none of us own a money tree.

Teens need to open their eyes,
For the media has fed them lies.
To be who you are is all that matters,
Besides, in a few years, clothes go to tatters.

The 3rd Guy
Art by Ryan Arseneau

Stereotype
Group Collaboration

Teenagers..
  being stupid and ignorant
  geeks
  and
  very weak.


Criminals.
  big, mean people
  always
  putting us
  down.


Partying. Smoking. Always in trouble.
...MEDIA INFLUENCES!
Note: People should not put all teenagers in to one group.
We are all different. We are all unique.

Photo (communication)
by Jonathan Sampson

Teen Idol
by M. J. Spear

What's the media's picture of the ideal girl? Let's take a look, shall we?

The ideal girl has much sex appeal, big breasts and a small waistline. She is very feminine as well. She often has blonde with blue eyes. She stands up straight and has no blemishes on her face. She also has no leg or underarm hair. She's often older than the group she's trying to appeal to. Her body is very disproportionate to nature.

No matter how hard the average female tries, it is unlikely that she will ever look even close to what you see in magazines or on television.

It's not real and in all likelihood, the image has been edited and filtered. Flattering light is used, and in magazines they airbrush (touch-up) a lot of things too. I wonder how many pounds of make-up they have on...hmmmm? No, they wouldn't risk making themselves look heavier, would they?

Females will go on diets and dress a certain way to look like divas of the media world. That's just altering appearance. Divas on television talk differently and act differently too. They tend to act like they know they're going to get the guy. Thus, they are conceited and egotistical. They may talk a certain way or react differently than normal. Some promote peace as an end to violence or drugs. Females will conform instantly if they think it's right, and sometimes even if they don't. Those who choose not to conform are weird or uncool.

All in all, I don't see what all the fuss is about. If you're already pleased with the way you look and act, you have no need to conform. That's my opinion.

Art by Andrew Pettipas

Teens and Music
by Nicole Merrit

Music can greatly influence a person by just listening to the lyrics. The lyrics have great affect on people. Some songs are very violent and others are very rebellious. Even without listening to the music but just by looking at the artists you can be affected. When you see the latest pop sensation dancing around on stage half naked your first thought might be to run away screaming but then you see all that person's "adoring" fans, and their "popularity". And before you know it you've become another mindless drone to the world of trends. But hey don't feel bad you're not the only mindless drone, we've all been there at least once or even twice although I doubt we'll admit it.

Next let's look at lyrics. If the lyrics say all men are horrible creatures if you're a girl your idea of men has probably just changed dramatically and vice versa. Or if another song screams about doing drugs, hey why not, it's the number one hit; they must know what they're talking about in order for that song to be a hit. Right? Wrong!!! These songs are usually just randomly thought of. Yeah some songs might have began true but in order to make it a "good " song it was most likely changed.

Songs can greatly affect you, so next time a song comes on talking about doing drugs or anything else that's negative just turn it off!!

Photo (communication) above by Matthew Shaw.

Photo (communication) below by Cameron Ross.

 

Check out Highlights from previous issues of Life Uncensored and see what it's all about.

Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3 | Volume 4