While most common oppressions, such as sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism, even speciesism, have been identified, widely acknowledged, thoroughly discussed and deeply analyzed, one oppression remains largely untouched. This fact is astonishing given that the group oppressed by this ignored injustice is one to which every adult human has once belonged. It is the one oppression…
This speech delivered on November 4, 1999 at the second Washington, DC curfew protest. Good evening, I am Alex Koroknay-Palicz treasurer for Youth Against Curfew and am a director for NYRA. This is a difficult time for the youth of this city, crime endangers our lives, proven by the terrible shootings this weekend. The city…
The San Diego politicians are waging a War of Intolerance and you are the victims. They have passed laws that outlaw skate boarding, dancing, and even cruising. And there is no end in sight. There latest law of intolerance is the San Diego Juvenile curfew. The teen curfew forbids people under 18 from being out…
This speech delivered on April 14, 2000 at the Hewlett Model Congress in Long Island, NY. “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it.” Today, as John…
Childhood is a syndrome, which has only recently begun to receive serious attention from clinicians. The syndrome itself, however, is not at all recent. As early as the 8th century, the Persian historian Kidnom made references to “short, noisy creatures,” who may well have been what we now call “children.” The treatment of children, however,…
“Underage drinking has reached epidemic proportions in America” warns Joe Califano, head of the private National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). His alarm is ominous, even frightening, as he calls for strong action in response to this national crisis. But relax. Underage drinking isn’t increasing — it’s actually dropping! Not only are fewer…
This excerpt is just a small section from many essays, articles, documents, and letters written on discrimination due to lack of age that one can find on the internet: Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of this country said that “Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for a little security will lose both and…
The Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), a private interest group, claims that people aged 12 to 20 account for 25 percent, or one-fourth, of all alcohol consumed in the U.S. That assertion was the headline of the CASA press release and become the one featured by many news media. But the Substance Abuse…
The lyrics, “Alcohol my permanent accessory, alcohol a party-time necessity, alcohol alternative to feeling like yourself, oh alcohol I still drink to your health” Can be heard in a familiar song titled “Alcohol” by Barenaked Ladies. This song shows how deeply alcohol has embedded itself in our society and our lives. Some may regard this…
Youth Liberation seeks to change how adults treat young people. But what makes someone an “adult”? Who falls into the category of “young people”? Where is the line between these two groups? I. THREE MODELS OF AGE Before we begin trying to answer these questions, it’s valuable to take a step back and look first…
