January 2006

Home , Real Soon

Receipient 2005 Angels in Adoption Award Building a world class foster care system while serving our neighborhood youth.

January 2006 Foster Care and Homeless Youth Speak Out Across the Nation Volume VI, Issue 1 Visit us online at www.mockingbirdsociety.org or call 206-323-KIDS (5437) HB 2002 — The Foster Care Achievement Act In This Issue til they are able to be self-sufficient and stable. to preventing youth from having to sleep on a Can you imagine if you heard of a parent that stranger’s couch or under a bridge. Having a Misty consistently cut off support as soon as one of safe bed for abused foster care youth to stay at Letter from the Editor Lou Cook their kids graduated or turned 18? What would until they find a safe and healthy home is very Jim Theofelis you say to a parent if they kicked out a kid as basic and it works. Finally, in order to prevent soon as they turned 18, out onto the streets, and youth who “age out” of the foster care from Page 2 told them that they “aged out” of their parental being homeless, we have to support them. It’s a crazy world we live in, one where care? I would say that’s exactly what the State Most youth who are 18 and have just gradu- some people make more money than others, of Washington does every year to hundreds of ated from High School still heavily rely on pa- one where if you don’t make enough money foster care youth. The State of Washington has rental support before and during college, and then you can not even afford to eat a loaf of been an insensitive parent with bad policies for foster care youth are no different in this way. bread, one where if you’re a youth in foster thousands of foster care youth, but there’s still Statistics represent a small percentage Letter to the Editor care, you’re penalized for getting your GED time to change these policies and learn from of incidences reported. According to King Curt or High School Diploma. What else is insane our mistakes. County’s website, half of the youth in home- Page 2 in this world? If you’re a youth in the foster While I was living on the streets, on less shelters throughout King County are ages care system in WA State, you lose all State and off for about 7 years, every other home- 12-15 (3). Youth ages 16-17 make up more than support on your 18th birthday. Some 18th less youth I encountered was either running a quarter of some of the estimated 2,000 youth birthday present!! Can you imagine? “Happy away from the foster care system or had re- on the streets of King County alone (4). It is Birthday Bobby, now I hope you’ve gotten cently “aged out” of the foster care system sickening to me that there are more than 1,000 absolutely everything you need together for and had been booted out onto the cold, hard kids on the streets of Seattle that are merely your adult life, because you don’t have our streets to fend for themselves. Something must 12, 13, 14 and 15 years old. The fact that there FAFSA 101 support for food, shelter or clothes anymore, be terribly wrong with the foster care system I are over 500 youth who are 16 and 17 and Courtney Konietzko or any healthcare. Good luck and good bye thought, if all of these large numbers of youth homeless in King County is disgusting. We Page 3 Bobby”!! Representative Mary Lou Dick- were turning to drop-in centers for meals and need to protect these vulnerable youth. The erson, in the midst of discussing foster care cardboard boxes for shelters. These are the for- reasons that youth have resorted to running youth dilemmas, told us that “less than 2% gotten and abused children of a negligent State away to the streets vary widely, but statistics of foster care youth get a Bachelor’s Degree”. parent. What are the solutions to the epidemic from King County’s website indicates that, Foster care youth are essentially punished for of foster care youth being abused in placements “physical abuse ranges from 40-60%”(5) and academic achievements. As soon as a youth in and ending up homeless from “aging out” of that the amount of youth running away from the foster care system earns their GED or High the foster care system? inadequate foster care homes “ranged from 21 January Calendar of School Diploma here in WA State, they are cut The first solution is having amazing and percent to 53 percent.”(6) I can tell you from Events off from WA State support and will no longer effective new foster care models in WA State personal experience that more than half of the Courtney Konietzko receive medical insurance or money for food, like the Mockingbird Family Model (MFM), youth on the street are youth from the foster Page 3 shelter and other basic needs. Many of us which is currently being replicated through- care system, aged out or not. I’ve seen these would like to change this ignorant policy that out King County in five different sites (1). The youth fall through the cracks of the pavement forces way too many youth out of their nest MFM can prevent a myriad of youth from ever first-hand for over half a decade and it needs before they have even begun to fly. Instead feeling alone and in a place where they feel to stop. of kicking them out before they’re ready, we they have to escape. Results from an evaluation House Bill 2002 would benefit every- should teach these young adults how to fly. by the University of Washington’s Northwest body in WA, from Spokane to Seattle to any- House Bill 2002 (HB 2002) would help Children’s Institute indicated that the MFM where else in WA State. HB 2002 helps people Walk-a-Mile foster care youth achieve and soar to the kept siblings together, parents felt supported, from every cultural, financial, class, gender or Jamica Henderson greatest of heights, and support them like grades and concentration in school improved educational background. It has strong appeal Page 3 any proud parent would. Essentially, HB and caregivers were “very satisfied with the to all political spectrums, because these kids 2002 acknowledges that any youth who just availability and quality of respite care”(2). will become tax payers instead of financial re- graduated from High School or earned their The second solution is having safe HOPE beds GED still needs assistance and guidance un- available for runaway youth. This is essential HB 2002 Continued on page 3 What’s Your New Year’s Resolution? Creative Corner: Exorcism Courtney Konietzko and a time to plant new crops. The Egyptians as much time as you need to complete your celebrate new years at the end of September. goal. Remember, your resolution is about Page 4 They celebrate at this time because it was the you. 2. Word you resolution carefully. Make Jamica time the Nile River flooded and it was a good sure what you put down is what you really Henderson time to grow crops. The Romans also celebrated want to do. Be detailed, so you can know for their new years in March but the new emperor yourself if that’s what you want to do. 3. Once wanted to add some changes to the calendar you have done the first two steps, now you and decided to celebrate New Year’s Day on can come up with a plan; remember you want No Spanish in School? At the end of every year many people January 1. New Years 400 years later is still cel- it to be a plan that you can achieve. 4. When Jacob Harrison in our society think of a New Year’s resolu- ebrated on different days of the year. Have you you come up with a plan that’s good for you, Page 4 tion we want to achieve. How many of you ever had a hard time keeping up with your new write it down and stick it where you know you have ever made a New Year’s resolution and year’s resolution? Resolutions are not going to will look at it everyday. 5. Ask for help. Some stuck to it? Well I can be the first to admit be easy especially if it’s something you have a resolutions take more than what you think. If that I have made many resolutions and for- hard time trying to do. Example: I have a prob- you know that in order for you to keep this got about them. When I was younger I did not lem with road rage. It really irritates me when I resolution, you need someone to remind you, quite understand the purpose. A New Year’s am in a rush and a slow driver is in front of me. it’s okay. Do what you need to complete you resolution is something you want to work on Or when I’m driving and an impatient driver goal or goals. 6. Remember you’re not perfect. Stanley “Tookie” personally. It’s a goal that you set for your cuts me off. So what can I do to prevent road If you forget it’s okay. You have all year to Williams self. Not to please other people but to please rage is: Not let it get to me because eventually I finish. Don’t give up, keep on going, you will Larishica Asher yourself and knowing it can be done. will get where I need to go. be happy that you did. Page 4 Do you know the history of New Years? Let’s say you have a list of New Year’s New Years started 4000 years ago. It was first resolutions and you want to know how to get http://www.fridgedoor.info observed in ancient Babylon. Back then they them all done. Well here is some advice: 1. Take did not have calendar so they celebrated New your time. If you choose a resolution that you http://adoptionworld.org Year’s on March 23. This was a time of rebirth know is going to take a while to work on, take Page 2 Mockingbird Times, January 2006 Letter from the Editor Letter to the Editor

demonstrate their passion and investment Jim: So can the rest of your crew. I could in creating a better world for themselves hardly finish Alicia Morris’s article, it was Jim and others. The Mockingbird Society I sat down to breakfast this morn- so disturbing to know what she is experi- Theofelis offers them the opportunity to participate ing and read the Dec. 2005 Mockingbird encing every day and night, but I am glad in something meaningful which hopefully Times. I just wanted to tell you how im- I did because it looks like she is going to reminds them of their special meaning to pressed I am with the thoughtfulness and have a chance to end her homelessness. all of us. Unlike many youth employment quality of writing in your publication. I The Mockingbird Times should be programs Youth LEAD does not operate was especially captivated by the lead arti- available in every high school and college Happy New Year! The Mockingbird on an internship model where time in the cle written by Jacob Harrison. It was com- in the Seattle area. It is a gem. Society welcomes 2006 as the Year program is limited to a certain number pelling reading and allowed me to experi- of Opportunity. The opportunity to of weeks. Youth LEAD operates on a ence Washington DC from a very different strengthen the services and supports business model which clearly states our perspective than my 60 year old point of All the best, available to the children, youth and goals, deadlines and the skills necessary view. That young man can write! Curt families involved in the foster care system. to develop a product that is relevant and The Mockingbird Family Model (MFM) is fundable. Last year the Mockingbird set for replication and we are excited about Society paid out nearly $16,000 to over forty Mockingbird Society: The Story Behind the Name working with our community partners to youth; twenty-two of which were hired as bring this promising practice to scale. I’m employees of the Mockingbird Society. We The 1962 American classic To Kill A us.” What if we created an organization, convinced that the MFM is a practical, cost- embrace the opportunity to teach youth Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the inspira- a community, indeed a world in which effective model that promotes increased how to fish rather than simply giving them tion for our name, Mockingbird Society. our most vulnerable children and youth stability for kids and families, allows the proverbial fish that keeps them stuck Atticus, the widowed father of Jem and were protected and valued with the same siblings to remain together and offers in the “client” role. At Mockingbird youth Scout, joins Miss Maudie in teaching his commitment that Atticus had for mocking- quality and timely support to caregivers are employee’s, writers, public speakers, kids that it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird be- birds? Join the Mockingbird Society today including respite care. Increasing stability interviewers and a host of other positive cause “…Mockingbirds don’t do one thing and help us give young people a safe place in kid’s lives is paramount to improving role’s. but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t to nest and sing. their well being and permanency. I am hopeful that you will continue do one thing but sing their hearts out for Our Youth LEAD programs to support us in our work with children, (Mockingbird Times, Youth Speaker’s Panel youth and families and to join us in the and ASK-Y) will also continue to grow and opportunities that come from building Thank You’s be forum for youth from foster care and/or a world class foster care system while homelessness to express their views while serving our neighborhood youth. Roberta Blayney; Virginia Blayney; Kathryn Brooks; Washington Women’s Foundation; developing their leadership, employment Camp SeaStar and Roz Owen; Lucinda Richmond; Robert and Deborah Fleming; Ms. and literacy skills. Despite the myth that Jim Theofelis Faith Ireland; Dr. Alan Rothblatt and Sima Kahn; Linda Mihalov; Deborah Fiscus; Dawa- “troubled youth don’t care” the young nda Pesicka; Janet Dwight and Patrick Gemperline; Elizabeth Strickland and Daniel people from Youth LEAD continually [email protected] Klepinger; James and Lauriann Garland; Howard Muntz and Barbra Goff; David Rawl- ings and Kathryn McGonigle; The Black Family; Kimberly Faucher; Diane, Kelsey and Darcie Gray; David and Shirley Allen; Douglas and Ann Ferguson; Kelly Jo and Christo- pher Macarthur; Charles Janeway

Mockingbird Society’s 3rd We are looking for articles, poetry, Annual Auction and Fundraiser: artwork and photography from our We Believe We Can Fly young readers who have experience in the foster care system and/or Order Tickets Now! homelessness. If you want to be published in the Times, contact Thursday, March 30, 2006 us at 206-323-5437 or via email at 6-9 pm Sisters Larishica and Terasa have holiday meal Dennis pondering new hat [email protected]. Wine, hor d’oeuvres and dessert For more info and to check us out, go Silent and live auction to www.mockingbirdsociety.org. Premiere of the Mockingbird Society documentary, A Place to Sing Meet Our Staff At the Broadway Performance Hall Executive Director 1625 Broadway Jim Theofelis Seattle, WA 98122 Youth LEAD Coordinator Tickets are $35 and may be purchased in Najja Morris advance or at the door. Operations Manager Courtney and former staff William Staff and photograper Zorn sharing holiday cheer Ros Ghan ABOUT US: The Mockingbird Society is a private non-profit organization dedicated to building a world class foster care system and improving the other systems that serve children and adolescents involved in homelessness and foster care. The Mockingbird Times is a monthly newspaper written and produced by youth who have experience in foster care and/or homelessness. All youth Public Relations employees of Mockingbird Society are paid between $7.50 and $8.50 an hour. Additionally, youth from across the country submit articles, art work, poetry and are compensated up to $25 per Darcie Gray published piece. The Mockingbird Times has a monthly circulation of 40,000 copies being distributed across Washington State and the U.S.A, through a private distribution list and as an insert in Real Change, a Seattle-based community newspaper. Youth involvement is the key to the philosophy, values, and success of The Mockingbird Society and, as such, youth are involved in all aspects Executive Assistant of organizational development and decision-making. Donations to The Mockingbird Society may be tax-deductible and are greatly appreciated. No part of the Mockingbird Times may be reproduced Lauren Frederick without the written permission of The Mockingbird Society. All contents copyright 2005 The Mockingbird Society. Americorps Member A Mockingbird Inside Your Mailbox Dietra Clayton Make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable youth and support the Mockingbird Society! Senior Staff Reporters Donations may be tax deductible and all donors receive the Mockingbird Times. r Please bill me for the amount Misty Lou Cook, Dennis Fisher, Courtney Enclosed, please find my check made payable to Mockingbird Society in the indicated. Konietzko amount of: $ My employer will match my r Staff Reporters Suggested Donations: gift; enclosed is my matching Ashley Grant, Jamica Henderson, Echo Speed, $ 1,000+..... Protector $500-999.....Caretaker $250-500.....Organizations $50+.....Supporter $25.....Foster Parent gift form. Larishica Asher, Terasa Asher, Jacob Harrison, NAME Anthony Guess r I am interested in receiving ADDRESS PHONE information on the advantages Contributing Writers CITY STATE ZIP of planned giving. Leona, Alicia Morris, Starcia Ague, James Milner, Brett Horejsi EMAIL r Please do not include my name on published donor lists. Volunteers Please fill out and mail this form with a check or money order payable to: The Mockingbird Society, 2100 24th Ave South Suite 240, Seattle WA 98144 Patricia Gray, Anna Trombley Mockingbird Times, January 2006 Page 3

Everybody else is just as nervous as who has been or is homeless or in foster 5.) Ask for help if you need it. FAFSA 101 you are on your first day of school. Remem- care. There is a way around it though. If ber that usually after the first few weeks you are homeless or formerly homeless Scholarships Available to Foster you settle in and the nervousness starts to and have not had any financial support Youth and Homeless Youth ease. Some of the best things you can do and will not receive any financial support (Go to these websites to read more to deal with this nervousness of meeting from your parents, you can claim indepen- about whether you qualify or not) Courtney new people is to sit in different places in dent status, which means you do not need Konietzko the classroom, try to smile and talk to dif- to report any of this information on your Governor’s scholarship ferent people, know that nobody knows parents. You will need two letters from a www.waedfoundation.org/gs/ that you are a foster kid or a homeless kid, caseworker, teacher, or someone similar form a study group with other people in who knows your situation well and can Gates’ Millennium scholarship fund If you are a new college student, it your class, and get involved with a club, vouch for the fact that you have been on www.gmsp.org/ takes awhile to learn the ropes and the event, or group on campus. your own and have been fully self-sup- mountains of paperwork can seem daunt- Remember that your first two years porting. If you are in foster-care, you au- Seattle Education Access ing. Take a deep breath and remember it of college are about exploring who you are tomatically qualify as an independent and www.seattleeducationaccess.org/ gets easier, once you fill out your Free Ap- and what you want to do. You don’t have can also avoid filling out this section of plication for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to declare your major immediately, but it the FAFSA by getting a letter from your National Foster Parent Association Schol- you are on your way. Remember, now is is a good idea to meet with a college advi- worker. arship the month to do it! Fill your FAFSA out in sor and talk about what you want to do. If www.nfpainc.org/scholrsp.html January every year in order to get the most you don’t know what you want to do ad- Tips for filling out your FAFSA money you can in order to go to college visors will help you figure it out; advisors 1.) Do not leave anything blank; OFA/ Casey Family Scholars for the Fall ‘06-Summer ‘07 year. There is will help you plan classes that meet the re- write NA if it does not apply to you www.orphan.org also money available for Spring and Sum- quirements of whatever school you hope to 2.) Use the 1040 federal tax return, mer of ‘06 on a case by case basis; so do not go to afterwards or whatever program you not the W-2 form, for reporting income Zenith Foundation (scholarships for hesitate to apply even if you didn’t make wish to get certified in. On most campuses, and taxes paid. You can obtain one of these youth ages 13-19 to attend sail training the deadline. If you do not fill out your there are also counselors to help you deal at your local library. and maritime education programs) FAFSA in January, the money award you with stress and anxiety around working 3.) Before you sit down to fill out 1-206-855-9443 get to pay for classes and books will be sig- with groups or/and speaking in front of your FAFSA make sure you are prepared nificantly less and you might have to look the class, and any other issues that you are with the proper documents: driver’s li- Queer Foundation Essay Contest at alternate sources of funding. It took me concerned with. Access these resources! cense/ID, social security card, income http://home.comcast.net/ awhile to learn the ropes coming from a There is a section on the FAFSA that tax returns, current bank statements, and ~threepennynovel/queerfoundation/es- background of being self-supporting since asks for difficult things about mom and records of any other untaxed income like say_contest.html I was 15. Being homeless, in foster care, or dad; like how much money does mom and welfare or social security. having previous experience with either can dad make in a year, their birthdates, social 4.) It is free to fill out the FAFSA; you also serve you well by helping you qualify security numbers, and all this information can pick one up at any college or fill it on- for certain scholarships. that may not be accessible to somebody line at www.fafsa.ed.gov

January Calendar of Events HB 2002 Continued from Page 1 sponsibilities of other tax payers. Invest in Courtney Konietzko your own children and you will be taken The Dream Deferred - Martin Luther presentation from his book, Bud, Not take part. There will be chances for care of in the future, because these children King the III, the second oldest child of Buddy (the story of a 10-year-old orphan outstanding photos to win prizes. For will grow up and run this nation one day, Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott who runs away from an abusive foster more info go to www.myspace.com/ and they will lead it with the knowledge King speak. January 23rd Monday, 7-9pm home in order to find his father) on Friday clslproductions that we bestow on them. If we think about at the Lynnwood Convention Center, January 13th at 7pm at the downtown the future costs of not helping these youth, 3919 196th St. Admission is $10. Seniors library. For more info go to www.spl.org Screening of The High Cost of Low we’ll need to incorporate the costs for the $5. register via http://www.edcc.edu/ Price – movie about Wal-Mart’s practices. increase of cops needed for patrolling the boxoffice, For more info contact Michele Get Your Hair Colored or Cut for Free! Thursday January 19th 6:30pm reception, streets, the cost of the tax payers paying for Graves at (425) 640-1313. – Seven Hair Salon needs models for cuts 7pm screening at Planned Parenthood of hospital bills due to no health insurance or and color every week M-F. Salon located Washington located on Madison at 20th education for sustainable jobs and so many Trans Night – a support/discussion/ in Bellevue. For more info call (206) 903- Ave. For more info call (206) 632-8547. other unpredictable expenses. Tax pay- social group for Trans and questioning 1299. ers will lose money, businesses will lose youth who are ages 14-22 that takes place Fremont Freedom Flicks – every money, cities and counties will lose money at Lambert House which is located at Free Web Design Class – Tuesday Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7) and we’ll need more teen feeds, drop-ins, 1818 15th Ave. in Seattle. Lambert house January 10 6-9 p.m. at the Lake Forest at Visionary Studios located at 4128 shelters and staff to run these services. Ask is a nationally recognized activities and Park Towne Centre. Space is limited so Fremont Ave N. Admission by donation, yourself how much money that costs, then resource center for GLBTQ youth. For call to reserve your spot. (206) 533-6700. suggested donation $5. but no one ask yourself how much the happiness and more info call (206) 322-2515 x16. turned away due to the inability to safety of a foster care child means to you, Show off your Photography Talents! pay. For more info go to http://www. and I know that you will agree that we Free Author Reading – Author – CLSL Productions is hosting a photo weaponsofmassdistractionproject.org need HB 2002 to protect these children and Christopher Paul Curtis gives a exhibition for anyone who wants to young adults. Due to the negligence of this State, in regards to it’s foster care young people and children, the counties and cities “jobs” Walk-a-Mile a Success are and have been to pick up “aged out” Jamica Henderson and runaway foster care youth from off the streets. Preventative measures like the On December 14th this year’s Walk- that spoke had great stories to tell. The HB 2002 are a sure-fire solution that works a-Mile program had it’s closing ceremony legislators we excited to see how hard the towards ending homelessness. Trust me. at the University of Washington. In this young people worked throughout their I know the kids on the streets, or at least great program, a legislator gets matched life and still were accomplishing goals in I knew of them and their struggles before up with a young person who is, or has their lives. The former foster youth who they died. I am speaking on behalf of the been in, foster care. The idea of the pro- participated were excited the legislators youth in the foster care system when I say gram is for them to “walk a mile” in each took the time to do the program. They also that we need HB 2002 so that young peo- other shoes. This gives them a chance to spoke about seeing how hard it was to be ple can lead healthy, happy and produc- meet one on one. While the legislator is a legislator. Both parties were happy to be tive lives. doing this activity, they have to live off involved in the program for the month and the same income as the student has to live most still want to keep in touch with one (1,2) http://www.mockingbirdsociety. off of. The legislator must also spend one another. org/pdf/jul05.pdf day with their student to see how they live In all, this was a great program. If (3,4) http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/hu- their daily life and the student must do the you don’t know what it’s like to be a fos- manservices/fys/HomelessYouth/Home- same with the legislator. ter kid or legislator then you should join lessYDemographicData.htm At the closing cremeony, the legis- Walk-a-Mile next year. If you’re interested (5,6) http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/hu- lators and participants were asked to ex- and would like more information, you can manservices/fys/HomelessYouth/Home- plain the time they had together and what call Sierra Rowe at 206 683-6979 or visit lessYMyths.htm#Underlying they liked about the program. All the pairs their website at www.walkamile.org Carneisha Grace and Rep. Eric Pettigrew (37th Dist.) at Walk-a-Mile closing ceremony. Page 4 Mockingbird Times, January 2006 No Spanish in Schools?

Creative Corner down the hall, I hear English, Spanish, Chi- nese, Vietnamese, French, Japanese, Ethio- Exorcism pian and many other languages in differ- Jacob ent conversations. I feel so happy because Courtney Konietzko Harrison we can all be together in one school and nothing can separate us. That’s how it’s Feeling raw and feeling sick supposed to be. School is where youth my Pores oozing out oil, the demons threaten to get in age spend a lot of time. I’ve never heard of Purple clouds and black shadows with grey tinges What is the world coming to? In my anything this ridiculous in my life. I know Dance and fade at the edges of my eyes and expel from my body articles, you’re bound to find issues deal- for a fact that if something this stunning Body shakes and stomach churns ing with racism, homelessness and various went down at my school or anywhere in No solution makes me burn problems. In this particular one, I type Seattle for that matter, somebody would There is an answer and things I need to do with fury and anger. Don’t be scared. This have to answer for it. What do those teach- But I am broken and hurting and making excuses is a different kind of anger. This is “WHY ers think? They’re just going to teach us Full of apathy, full of pain CANT WE ALL JUST BE TREATED LIKE Spanish and expect that we’re not going Covering myself in makeup PEOPLE WHICH WE ARE?” anger. This to put those new acquired skills to use? Buying clothing and CDs and goods in vain anger that I am feeling is directed at a Kan- We say and do what we know and a lot of Stuffing myself with food to cover the gaping hole sas City alternative school. It’s come to my what we know comes from our education. Caving in, craving in attention that a 16 year-old Hispanic stu- Today in the U.S, Spanish and other That’s the way it goes when you don’t listen to yourself dent was suspended for speaking his na- languages are taught in almost if not, ev- Plane Jane wears baggy pants and over-sized shirts tive language in school. ery public school. In fact, here in Seattle Hiding everything that hurts When I first read about this, I and surely a lot of other districts, at least The package that conceals the feelings couldn’t believe it! As I further investi- two years of a foreign language is required I feel you and I feel them gated the story, I started to see more and to graduate! The sad part about this whole Walking down the street more harsh reality, and it hurts. Zach thing is, Zack didn’t need to take Spanish I absorb the conversation and the emotion behind people’s eyes Rubio was walking down the hall dur- class because it’s in his blood! How dare I stare blank out the windows at nothing ing break. His friend came up to him and those people insult his blood?! How dare Avoiding the glances and loud unspoken thoughts of men asked him for a dollar in Spanish. He re- every adult in that community for this I take care of the basics and forget about the rest sponded in Spanish and this is what set off matter?!! How dare the teachers, parents Always talking about things that take up to years to do the entire incident with teachers. They told and superintendent for acting like every- That’s the end of that them not to do it again. Then in his class thing was fine and filling all of the students This is the beginning of this after lunch, Zach was speaking it again. minds with their ridiculous and oppressive A personal Hell created by two This time he got sent to the principal, Jen- reasons that they have for Spanish speak- Drug mentality ever more nifer Watts, who suspended him for two ing not to be allowed in school?!! This is What has changed? days. She said that they had to ask him too far from over and this may also be the just At one time he took away the hurt many times not to speak Spanish at school. the beginning of a long fight! He took away the pain She cited a school “English only” policy I’m very interested in hearing your He was the savior as I was too put in place to assist ESL students in their opinions about this. Your ideas, sugges- Now he sits there running on empty learning of this countries supposed “na- tions, input and feelings are important to I’m afraid to label him tional” language. His family was furious. me!! In order for me to become a stron- Afraid to run away from him Wouldn’t you be? This kid, his family and ger writer, I need to hear the voices of the Afraid to save myself from him lets not forget his culture had just been, in people. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail me But once I do that I will be free. my eyes, assaulted. at ([email protected]) This ar- I go to Ingraham High school, one ticle must end here for the anger may burn December 21, 2005 of the most, if not the most, diverse school a hole in this paper!!! in the Seattle school district. When I walk

Let’s Stop Punishing Foster Youth for Earning Their High School Diploma or GED Currently: Washington foster youth who turn age 18 and have their H.S. diploma or HB 2002: Youth who earn a high school diploma or GED and attend college/voc-tec GED become ineligible to remain in care-they loose their housing, health and emo- can remain in foster care! tional support from caregivers. DO YOUR PART TO CHANGE THE WORLD! - To contact your state representative about the Foster Youth Achievement Act, call 1-800-562-6000. ASK-Y meeting January 9th, 3:30-5 @ 2100 Building Youth Advocacy Day in Olympia, Wa February 3rd 9:30 am- 3 pm Advocacy Day Training February 2nd 2-5:30 @ 2100 Building For more details, please contact Lauren Frederick @ 206-323-5437.

The Life and Death of Stanley “Tookie” Williams

and had always maintained his innocence Phil Gasper who nominated Tookie four writing his books he was nominated four of these crimes. Before Tookie died, there times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Phil Gas- times for the Nobel Peace Prize and a mov- were many people who had a lot to say per says “Tookie should have clemency ie was made about his life starring Jamie Larishica about not killing him. People like rap artist because he is a remarkable character who Foxx. Asher such as Snoop Dogg (a Long Beach Cali- turned his life around without help from I feel that Tookie should have gotten fornia Crip) and music artist Pharell (who the authorities. He should also have clem- clemency because he had an unfair trial is not affiliated with gangs but had some ency because no one should die if they can and if he would have went back to court really thoughtful things to say about Took- reduce gang violence.” around 2000, I believe he would have only Stan “Tookie” Williams was put ie before he was set to death). Snoop Dogg As Tookie was growing up, he was gotten 25 to life and would have gotten out to death December 13, 2005 at 12:36 am., was against Tookies death because he is a a very troubled child. He had so much an- on parole. In his 1981 trial the prosecutor after being on San Quentin’s death row crip and he saw how Tookie was turning ger inside him that he didn’t know what to removed three African Americans from for 16 years for murdering a family and his life around. Pharrell was against it be- do with, so he and some other friends of the jury. I also feel that it was not fair for an individual two weeks apart from each cause of the simple fact he was a black man his started the Crips street gang. The Crips him to die and not have a fair chance to other. His death came after much debate that turned his life around during his time ended up being one of the largest gangs in fight for his life and that his life wasn’t and pleads from his supporters to save his in prison. Snoop Dogg also made a video the history of this country and made their spared because he was a black man in life after he made a big transformation in called “Real Soon” which was dedicated to way to almost every state. Tookie was prison that succeeded in changing his life prison that included writing books to help Tookie. He and the group D.P.G.C. came tried and convicted of four cold blooded and became a successful book writer and keep kids away from gangs. His fight end- together to try and get the word out about murders that he says he didn’t commit. children loved to read his books. I think ed after a last request for clemency from Tookie. In the video, Snoop has a shirt that Stanley has always claimed that he was in- Arnold Schwarzenegger (the governor Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was denied. says save Tookie.org. (which was an orga- nocent, but he was still sentenced to death of California) did not like the fact that he In 1971, Stan and a friend of his nization he started to try and get support row. Many people felt that Tookie had an could have all that influence in prison and founded the Los Angles Crips gang. In to save his life) unfair trial. felt that he should die. Now that Tookie is 1981 he was convicted of murdering four Many other celebrities were against In the last 16 years of Tookie’s life in dead, I hope that his soul rests in peace and people during two robberies and sentenced Tookie’s death such as Danny Glover, Nick prison on death row, he wrote eight chil- the Crips and other fellow people around to death row at San Quentin State Prison. Hart, Marylon Boyd, Darrel Myers, Barba- dren books about staying out of gangs and the world will miss you and we love you Stan deeply regreted his gang involvement ra Becnel, Martin Strayer, Nick Chin, and one book about his life in prison. While Stan Tookie Williams.