As the grandmother of the author below and a person living with HIV for 35 years, it is very important to recognize the voice of our youth on different issues that they are passionate about. They are our future leaders. Whether they are fighting for people living with HIV, stigma, discrimination, or better education, it is crucial that we hear what they have to say because it’s their future we are talking about. This is the way to get our youth involved: by letting them have their voices heard. So please continue to read what this brilliant young lady has to say about some of the issues she fights for.

Girls Stand Up

Young women everywhere are limited to certain things whether it be sports or something as simple as working. People may think, “So what? That’s how it’s always been.” My response to those people is that it doesn’t have to be like that anymore. We can stand up and make a change for what’s right.

For example, lets take a school sport: basketball. The boys’ team always has nicer uniforms and they always seem to be more praised. However, when you look at the girls’ team, hardly anyone attends the games and their uniforms are probably the same as the year before.

Well here’s what I think about the treatment we get compared to the boys. We can work and play as hard as they do, so what’s the big deal! Us women should be able to have the same opportunities as men—we are just as strong as they are, maybe even stronger. Just because we look weak and small doesn’t mean anything. Women everywhere should take a stand and show the men in this world what we are made of because we are more then just a pretty face. We should be the voice for other women, but most importantly be the voice for ourselves. Stand for what you believe in and do whatever it takes… just be you.

Now for us teenagers (young men and women), we all know what’s been happening in our schools. We’ve lost lives and now we are scared of what’s going to happen next. I know we all ask ourselves questions like, “Will I be next? And what are the adults doing about it?” Nothing is my answer. In my opinion, I think we need to get up on our feet, stand up, and speak up for what we believe in—don’t be scared.

I just read something that a girl posted. She’s trying to get into a better school, of course for better opportunities, but it’s hard because now the school is taking steps that are unnecessary and she said, “EVERYBODY should have the right to a good education and GOOD Resources!! But, right now the school system is only worried about MONEY, giving teachers guns, and the school population makeup. PRIORITIES HAVE GOT TO BE STRAIGHTEN OUT in the School system.”

Here’s what I think about that: she is right, but what about us? The school system is worried about giving the teachers more safety—what about OUR safety? What about OUR voices? I see teens fighting everywhere for a change and the administration is not budging. So what are we supposed to do? Well here’s something… don’t stop fighting for what you think is right. Be the change you want in the world, but don’t change because of the world. All it takes is a leap of faith and a little bit hope to keep fighting.