It's Your World--If You Don't Like It, Change It Activism for Teenagers

by Halpin, Mikki

• ISBN13: 9780689874482
• ISBN10: 0689874480
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-09-01
• Publisher: Simon Pulse

Summary

Youcanchange the world.Free Speech. Racism. The Environment. Gay Rights. Bullying and School Safety. Animal Welfare. War. Information about Safe Sex and Birth Control. Free Speech. HIV and AIDS. Women's Rights.These are the issues you care about -- and now you can do something about them.It's Your Worldwill show you how to act on your beliefs, no matter what they are, and make a difference.The information inside includes: The basics of activism Activism projects and outreach ideas The 5-minute activist How to be an activist at home, at school, and in your community Stories from teenagers who have taken on the world -- and won Resources including books, movies, and Web sites and much, much moreWhether at home, in school, or in your community, you have the power and the ability to create change, even if you aren't old enough to vote. Don't wait until you're eighteen to flex your political muscles -- start right now!

Author Biography

Mikki Halpin wrote the essay "A Girl's Guide to Geek Guys" for Bunnyhop, and it quickly became an Internet classic, earning Mikki a special place in geekdom. She was editor-in-chief of the online magazine Stim; co-founded the classic 'zine Ben Is Dead; and has written for many publications, including Wired, BookForum, Studio Mix, The Independent, and BUST. She is the author of two books. She lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(12)
You can so change the world
why people become activists
one person can make a difference
choosing your cause
do your research
how this book works
a few more things
Helping Animals	13	(26)
The issues
be a responsible pet owner
make your home a cruelty-free zone
refuse dissection
make an animal research college guide
volunteer at a shelter
be an active citizen for local animals
start a PAWS chapter in your town
Shakira's story
Emma's story
the 5-minute activist
resources
Fighting Racism	39	(31)
The issues
test yourself for bias
plan a "race matters" movie night
what if your family is racist?
invite a speaker to your school
mobilize against hate groups by writing a letter to the editor
other ways to fight racism
Chika's story
Emmanuel's story
the 5-minute activist
resources
Saving the Environment	70	(32)
The issues
measure your environmental footprint
give your house an environmental makeover
start an environmental mailing list
find out if your school spends more on energy than on you
check your community water quality
identify local polluters
Adam's story
David's story
the 5-minute activist
resources
Ending War	102	(31)
The issues
put up a peace poster
interview a veteran of war
organize a teach-in at your school
start a faith-based peace coalition
go to a big protest
Ana's story
Hannah's story
the 5-minute activist
resources
Fighting the Spread of HIV/AIDS	133	(33)
The issues
get tested
fight for comprehensive sex education
get local businesses to sign an anti-discrimination pledge
other activism ideas
Laura's story
Henry's story
the 5-minute activist
resources
Stopping School Violence and Bullying	166	(23)
The issues
make an anti-violence contract with your parents
distribute a flyer about the warning signs of possible school violence
create a bully box
connect with an at-risk youth
Britt's story
Missy's story
resources
Defending Women's Rights	189	(41)
The issues
learn about feminist history
discuss feminism with someone from another generation
speak out about dating violence
find out if your school is Title IX compliant
have a letter-writing party to fight for women's reproductive rights
Sara's story
Erica's story
the 5-minute activist
resources
Protecting Civil Rights and Civil Liberty	230	(29)
The issues
find out what data the government has on file about you
start an alternative school paper
do an art project about surveillance in your community
host a video screening about the Fourth Amendment
Ashley's story
Alan's story
resources
Promoting Tolerance Toward Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth	259	(36)
The issues
talk to your parents about an lgbtq issue in the news
start a gay/straight alliance at your school
assess whether your school is safe for lgbtq youth
make a voter guide
Sarah's story
Stacey's story
resources
Acknowledgments	295	(4)
General Activism Resources	299	(9)
Sources used in writing this book	308