Teenpower
naive
immature
irresponsible
lazy
is that all we are to you?does it seem that
every teenager is
part of a statistic?
that we are selling
or doing drugs
because of the music we listen to?if you saw me walking with
my baby brother
would you look at me
ashamed or disgusted
or would you come tell me
how handsome he is?there's no hate between us
regardless of creed or color
we spread love
and peace
we all share an unbreakable bond
that is never broken
a strength that grows with age.we as a group are
forceful
dynamic
we can do anything for
we share power unknown
got nothing but love
for each otherthis is truly the definition of
TEENPOWER
This poem, written by a fifteen-year-old girl, expresses one of the goals set by the UN General Assembly adoption of the World Programme for Youth. This goal is the full and effective participation of youth in the life of society and in decision-making processes.
Young people want to know what’s happening in their part of the world as well as other parts of the world. They wonder about the rain forests, who celebrates what holidays, family life, entertainment, sports and a whole range of other concepts. There is an overwhelming desire to be a part of technological changes and to having a role in deciding their futures and to being more proactive in the decision-making process. They also want to know more about each other, their neighbors as well as other people across the oceans. Being left out of the decision-making process can lead to alienation from family, friends and society. We have all seen the devastation brought about by youth who live with feelings of alienation and low self-esteem. Nathaniel Branden, the father of the concept of self-esteem, states that "understanding self-esteem provides an invaluable clue to understanding motivation".
Teenpower offers both hope and a challenge for our youth by empowering them to be creative, resourceful and motivated and to reach for the seemingly unreachable and not let life’s obstacles, both natural and man-made, slow them down. Albert Einstein, in a message to young people said "... believe in yourself despite what other negative perceptions exist. Do not let others decide your future."
B’Shalom,
Eva Sarelle