CELEBRATING POSITIVE CHOICES
■ FEATURED PERSONALITY WINTLEY PHIPPS: SETTING THE STANDARD ■ HUFFIN' DEATH LISTEN is a monthly drug-prevention magazine for teens that teaches life skills, success tips, drug facts, and the advantages of a lifestyle free from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
F ea t u r es
Wintley Phipps: Setting the Standard by Clifford Goldstein 4 His singing has taken him all over the world. He's met such famous people as the pope, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush. Throughout it all, his motto remains: You don't have to compromise to be recognized.
Interdiction by K. T. Choi 8 It started with the smell of marijuana in the school bathroom. It ended with a flight of U.S. Army helicopters—and an eighth-grader's decision to get involved.
Let's Talk About Sex: Looking for Love (Part two) by Len McMillan 12 You should acknowledge sexual desires during dating—but save the fulfillment for a permanent marriage relationship.
High-Tech Terror by Glen Robinson 16 Whether you're staring down a 14-story plunge or hurtling 70 miles per hour through corkscrews, roller coasters are out to get you.
Huffin' Death by Kevin Waite 20 It's an easy high: quick, cheap, available, no hassles with the law. But with each breath, inhalants give you more than you bargained for.
4 V• Depa en .4;
Just Between Us "Telling It Like It Is" 3 Graffiti Invisible 15 Dear Becki I just want to stay friends! 19 The Prime Times Against All Odds 23 Ask the Cannons Am I addicted to food? 25 And So Forth Earthquack 26 Listen Up! The Good, the Bad, and the Zucchini 28 Puzzles Tennis Search 30 16 Poster The Ultimate Thrill 31 2 • LISTEN • August 1991 FRONT COVER PHOTO BY CHAD SLATTERY / TSW
JUST BETWEEN US YOUR CREW
Editor Lincoln E. Steed Associate Editor Glen Robinson Telling It Like It Is Designer Merwin Stewart Design Assistant Robert Mason We get a lot of letters here at the LISTEN editorial offices. I Editorial Secretary Linda Andregg mean, a lot. Piles of them. All over my desk. And thank you for EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS them all. Keep them coming. We love to hear from you. Winton Beaven, Ph.D.; Galen Bosley, Dr.H.Sc., Just the other day I opened a letter with a special challenge. R.D.; Carolyn Burns; Paul and Carol Cannon; Don Cooper, M.D.; Hans Diehl, M.P.H.; Robert The letter dared me to "tell it like it is." Attached to the note was DuPont, M.D.; Mary Eldershaw; Kevin a newspaper clipping. "Tell your readers about Katie Lutz," Freeman; Zhennaa Gallagher; G. Gordon Hadley, M.D.; Patricia Mutch, Ph.D.; Thomas R. challenged the letter. And so I will. Neslund; G.L. Plubell, Ph.D.; Stoy Proctor, I wish Katie's story was a curiosity: a one-in-a-million M.P.H.; Gunter Reiss, Dr.H.Sc., M.P.H.; Francis tragedy. But I'm afraid it only illustrates the worst-case scenario A. Soper, Litt.D.; Elizabeth Sterndale, R. N., for a common teen problem. M.S.; Becki Trueblood; DeWitt Williams, Ph.D. The headline from the December 13, 1990, Lansing State Jour- ART CONSULTANTS nal, Michigan, says "Teen Tragedy!" Next to the headline is the Ed Guthero, Lars Justinen picture of a beautiful teen named Katie Lutz. And beneath her DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY name "1974-1990." You see, Katie, only just 16 years old, died in Cathy Cleveland, Russell Holt, Lars Justinen, the early hours of the morning after her birthday party. She died Diane Lang, Rick Robinson Editorial Office of an alcohol overdose. She'd been drinking vodka with friends. P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. A lot of the story focuses on April Kline, Katie's 16-year-old Subscription Rates best friend. April is not smiling in the newspaper picture. She is In U.S.A., $24.95 for 12 issues. In all other shocked and heartbroken at the way she lost a friend. The party countries, $27.95. started out as good, clean fun. First a concert, then a sweet-16 To Order In U.S.A. (except Alaska), call toll free 1-800- party at Katie's house. "We cut the cake and fed it to her—she 545-2449. had it all in her hair," says April in bittersweet recollection. In Alaska and Canada, call (208) 465-2500 (not toll free). Then Katie left home with two other friends for another party. Or write to P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. It was her birthday, so her parents gave a special late-night Payment coming from outside U.S.A. (including Canada) must be in U.S. dollars by bank draft curfew. April had planned to go too, but the plans fell through. drawn on a U.S. bank or by international postal She never saw Katie again. Katie was unconscious when her money order. "friends" returned her home. Second-class mail privileges authorized at That's no way to party. The paper reported that "students Boise, Idaho. Form 3579 requested. Litho in the who knew her said the way she died has caused them to re- United States of America. Copyright © 1991 by Pacific Press Publishing examine their thinking about alcohol, which—despite laws to Association, P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. the contrary—is a way of life for American high-school Printed in U.S.A. students." This publication is available in microfilm from Xerox University Microfilms, 300 North Zeeb LISTEN magazine is dedicated to educating today's teenagers Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. (313) 761-4700. about the destructive effects of alcohol and other drugs. We're Write publisher for complete information. dedicated to the premise that life can be so much more
rewarding without these false highs. PiejaIDLIF We talk and write a lot about drugs. Drugs are bad, bad news. AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR IRE EDP RE 99 And not just for the junkies in a shooting gallery. In some way, PREVENTION OF ADDICTION everyone who messes with drugs messes up their life. But the sad story of Katie underscores what we know only too ATHLETES well, something all the statistics prove clearly. For teenagers, the
drug of choice is still overwhelmingly alcohol. And the facts are 04, that alcohol is every bit as physically and socially deadly as "hard" drugs. Here's the message: Stay away from alcohol. Katie Lutz would AGAINST DRUGS be alive today if she'd followed that advice. LISTEN (ISSN 0024-435X), August 1991, volume 44, number 8, is published monthly by Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1350 North Kings Road, Nampa, ID 83687, U.S.A. For the U.S.A.: one-year sub- scription $24.95 (U.S.). Second-class postage paid at Nampa, Idaho. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LISTEN, P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. August 1991 • LISTEN • 3 WINTIE PHIPPS SETTING THE STANDARD 4 • LISTEN • August 1991 ne of singer Wintley Wintley Phipps's motto: "You Phipps's most exciting don't have to compromise to moments began with a be recognized." phone call one Tues- And Wintley has not com- day afternoon. An- promised—not his family, his swering the phone at music, or his morals—in order his home in Columbia, to be a success. Not that he Maryland, Wintley spoke to a hasn't had opportunities. woman who said that she Indeed, when you hear worked for Diana Ross. Wintley sing on any one of his Having heard him when he nine albums (he was nom- had sung a few days earlier on inated for two Grammys), you the public television show can hear the conviction, the "Tony Brown's Journal," fire of his words. He is a man Diana Ross was moved to who sings about what he tears and said, "Find that believes, songs of hope that guy!" The employee was now come from his heart. calling to ask Wintley Phipps Born in Trinidad, Wintley if he would sing as a soloist at grew up in Canada, where he Diana Ross's upcoming began to sing as a child. It all wedding outside Geneva, started when his mother Switzerland. invited him to sing at a church Wintley thought it was a choir in Toronto. The choir joke. "Anyone can call up and director, impressed by his say they work for Diana voice, invited him to join the Ross," he says. "But the more I choir, which he did. Thus he talked to her, the more con- began to sing and travel and vinced I became that it was for hasn't slowed down since. He real. Of course, I said that I is often in the air twice a would." week. A few months later, he flew "If I were offered one to Switzerland, compliments million dollars by IBM to of Diana Ross. After several travel this much," he says, "I mad dashes from hotels to wouldn't do it. However, limousines to avoid all the because I believe that my reporters who followed Diana music can influence people for Ross's entourage to Switzer- good, I do all that traveling." land, he stood inside a tenth- His singing and traveling century church that looked have taken him all over the like monks still lived there. world, and he has met many Only there were no monks famous people, including the His singing has taken that day. Instead, it was filled pope, Ronald Reagan, George him all over the world. with guests, which included Bush, Brooke Shields, Quincy He's met such famous Gregory Peck and Stevie Jones, and Alex Haley. He has Wonder (Stevie sang at the sung with some great singers, people as the pope, reception), as well as reporters too, including popular artist Ronald Reagan, and from all over the world. Patti LaBelle. George Bush. Behind Wintley, a 50-voice Another time Wintley choir from Norway, dressed found himself on, of all Throughout it all, his in green and white, provided shows, "Saturday Night motto remains: You the background. And there, Live." Here, too, however, he don't have to before this crowd, Wintley didn't need to lower his 1 Phipps sang. standards to the bawdy compromise to be As he stood before all these ruckus that has made "Satur- recognized. famous people, one thought day Night Live" famous. came to his mind, a thought "Everything was different that has been, in many ways, for me when I sang," he said. Clifford Goldstein August 1991 • LISTEN • 5 "They knew it was a serious "share the moment." moment. They even changed At first, Wintley said No, the backdrop for me. Every- simply because he didn't want one knew that it was a serious to travel across the country and moment—and it was. I sang, "just hang around." But then 'Lord, Tell Me Again That Jesse said, "I'm working on You Love Me.' " Indeed, only something." Wintley Phipps could get Having no idea what, away with singing a gospel Wintley agreed, thinking song on "Saturday Night perhaps Jesse would have him Live." sing at a party or some small Wintley is the ultimate get-together. teetotaler. He doesn't drink "After I arrived, however," alcohol at all, doesn't use Wintley said, "it appeared that drugs, doesn't smoke what Jesse was working on "Lights, balloons, cigarettes. He doesn't even was bigger than ng else I drink coffee. had ever done signs, and suddenly "I tried a little alcohol as a Jesse had w out for the music went on, teenager," he says, "but Wintley to sing just before he didn't like it. I realized then himself would speak before the and here I am, that once I used any drugs or convention, which was to be Wintley Phipps, alcohol I would lose control aired over national television. of my faculties, something Unfortunately, those intro- singing before 100 that I just didn't want to do. ducing Jesse took too long, and million people all The consequences are too because the organizers wanted risky. Doing something and their main speaker to have all over America— then not remembering what the time that he could, they the most pivotal you did? That's not for me." canceled Wintley. "I was disap- In his travels, Wintley does pointed," Wintley said, "but I moment in my speak to youth groups, and he just accepted it." whole life." always gives them a drug-free Jackson gave a moving message. When he sings, he speech, and then he called always tries to uplift people, Wintley up to the microphone to inspire them, to give them and told him to sing. hope. His life is an example, "There I was, in Mosconi too, that you don't have to Center in San Francisco," says sell your soul or your Wintley. "Lights, balloons, principles to be successful. signs, and suddenly the music And you don't need to use went on, and here I am, drugs. Wintley Phipps, singing before "I don't have to spend time 100 million people all over in smoky joints, cheap bars, America—the most pivotal among dopers, to succeed at moment in my whole life. I what I do," he says. "I didn't knew then and there that I have to do it, and I wouldn't. would have a chance to impact You don't have to com- on more people than ever promise." before. I sang 'Ordinary Another exciting time for People.' It wasn't until I got Wintley Phipps, the man who home that I knew that folks won't compromise, came were crying from that song all from a good friend of his, over America. And more than Jesse Jackson. The former ever did I realize, again, what I presidential candidate was to have been saying all along— speak at the 1984 Democratic you don't have to compromise National Convention in San to be recognized." Francisco, and he asked Indeed, Wintley is living Wintley if he would come and proof that you don't. 6 • LISTEN • August 1991 MEYLAN THORESEN / R&H
MEYLAN THORESEN / R&H
K. T. Choi My personal war with him their laughter floating after began in that bathroom. I me like smoke. The Big Island of Hawaii has pushed open the door and At lunch I told Mark earthquakes, tidal waves, and caught the smell of marijuana. Watanabe and Sammy Chin eruptions. I considered Ned It was Ned, of course, and about it. "I'm doing my Kahele moving to our street Kalani DeMotta. "Hey, what science project on how long a the greatest disaster of them you doing out of class?" person can last without using all. "I gotta go," I replied. the bathroom. Someone will At 16, Ned was the oldest "Aw, he's gotta go. He's set a record this year," Mark eighth-grader in the history of gonna wet his pants." observed. our school. He quickly joined "Gee, Ned, maybe he "This is serious," I replied. three other punks in a terrorist should wear diapers." They "How can one guy freak out a group that extorted money, came toward me. whole school?" even from girls. They owned "Maybe he already does. "When the guy's Ned," the main bathroom. Let's see." I turned and fled, Sammy answered.
It started with the smell of marijuana in the school bathroom. It ended wit
8 • LISTEN • August 1991 ILLUSTRATION BY KEVIN BEILFUSS "I'm reporting him. Maybe smeared. He complained to That day, by the time I'd he'll get expelled." the Kaheles. Since then, changed clothes and done my "Are you nuts?" Sammy "someone" had slashed homework, my parents were exclaimed. "Mr. Maeda will Sammy's bike tires, dislodged home. I'd forgotten to make bring you all into his office. their mailbox, and let the cows rice, and my mother chewed It's your word against theirs. out of their pasture. These me out. They'll get a warning, and days, Sammy stayed at school I tried explaining about you'll be doomed." and rode home with his dad. Ned. I should've known Sammy knew what he was I still took the bus. It's only better. Mom wanted to call the talking about. He lived half- 15 minutes by the road from principal right away, which way between the Kaheles and the stop to my house. Because was a sure way of getting me me. One day Ned was throw- of Ned, though, I got off a killed. Dad gave me that ing rotten guavas at passing stop later and doubled back speech about standing up to cars. Mr. Chin almost crashed through the pastures. It took bullies. when his windshield was about 35 minutes. "Bobby, I know what it's light of army helicopters—and an eighth-grader's decision to get involved.
August 1991 • LISTEN • 9 like. In 'Nam, I got hassled by Mark and I were labeling gang made so much noise some of my own men for parts of the newspaper when I swearing and horsing around being a lap.' But I stood up to noticed the Crime Stoppers that I didn't have to actually them, and eventually they ad. "Yes!" I thought. Crime keep them in sight. stopped." Stoppers receives confidential I discovered that while Ned Like all Miyashiro men, my information about criminals. If and his crew were a big deal father was short but solid. I'd I could find out where and at our school, on the high- seen him handle a six-foot-tall when Ned was getting his school campus they were drunk. My 92 pounds dope, I could get him busted. nobody. I wondered why they wouldn't stand up to Ned's And if he was pushing, he'd went there at all until I saw 180 for long, though. go to Boys' Home for sure. Ned passing plastic bags to The next day in English, I began tailing him. His some seniors behind the metal
I tried out a dozen schemes in my head, from a hidden camera to invisible powder like they use on ransom money.