Signing Pledge Won’T Solve Problem

Mon., Aug. 2, 1999

Rachel Rickard, Lewis & Clark

I feel that I ought to explain why I decline the invitation to sign my name to the list of peace-loving teens in Spokane. I am completely supportive of all of the specifications I would be pledging to, but I feel that by putting my name on that list, it would be like saying, “I’m better than the rest of the Spokane ruffians; I’m a better teen and a better human being than any of you who didn’t sign this.”

I just can’t do that. I can’t proclaim myself to be such a great teenager when I’m not even sure what the job description is for that one. I’m just trying to be a good human being.

I’m not of a violent nature. I’m not even really competitive, but I’m not sure that makes me such a great person. I, personally, think it’s pathetic that our society has been so often betrayed by their continual support of teens, but I find it impossible to make a difference by signing this and assuring society that propriety is still in place among teens.

I’m trying not to be cynical, but it’s never going to change. Teens are categorized and classified and generalized, but so are adults, the elderly and the disabled. The only reason the general population becomes concerned with teens is because we are the future. Every generation has its bad seeds, and I’m not going to take responsibility for the violent actions of others.

It’s like trying to make a rose more beautiful to draw attention away from the weeds. The only problem is that the weeds will always be there no matter how big or beautiful the rose becomes.

I’d prefer to remain neither the rose nor the weed, merely the soil that supports it all and tries to do what’s best for everyone, even if you can’t quite be sure what that is. I’m still looking for the answers, and I’ve been told one rarely finds them, but I’m young so I’ll continue, peacefully, of course.

But I think the people who really ought to be signing this are the ones who started the fight.

1. Welcome to the club 2. On the record against violence

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