Dear Domestic Violence Center of Wisconsin,
My name is Olivia Ritchie. Milwaukee County has been my home for 10 years as I've attended Milwaukee Public Schools. I find pride in involving myself in every opportunity possible and developing strong relationships with other students and neighbors. Although at times it can feel like a dangerous place to spend my time with. Slowly I've learned to adapt and look out for myself and those I love; sticking up for those who can't stick up for themselves. Pain is a hard thing to deal with and if I can prevent even just one person from that situation I believe it will make a difference.
This year has been a difficult year, however. One of my fellow students punched and knocked out his football coach; there have been many teachers filing workers compensation cases, due to assault; boys of a young age have been caught vending guns; everyday, people are mugged when walking down the street . Sadly these things occur more often than just once. I feel it is my responsibility, as well as my fellow students, to change this. As I've observed these things it seems the only thing I can do is turn to you for help.
Recently, it has come to my attention that you've received $200,000 from the government to spend as needed. Well, teen violence is a problem all over the state, as well as all over the world. As a teenager myself I feel the most good influence comes from the next generation--the people who have already been through it all, they've seen and experienced it. They are the wise ones, we just need time to listen. Although, you may think we can grow arrogant and completely disregard what our elders say, I think by showing that there are people that have little faith in us, would be the answer. So often, teens can feel so unimportant and we constantly seem to get the excuse "you're too young", when we really are not. We've been through the same amount, if not more, of hardships. Most of us are mature, beyond our years. I believe that by showing us our opinion matters--our life matters-- this is the answer.
It's a scary world and no one can really change that. I feel that the way some students act, by pushing away any help, they are only trying to cover up that fear. Bringing in someone who was once in that exact situation--someone these we can relate to-- this is what would make a real difference. Even if some don't take it to heart, we can always say we tried and maybe, just maybe, we could change a few lives and direct some on the right track to success.
As these thoughts crossed my mind, I felt I should do a little research for you. I came across many elders who I believe could relate the greatest. There is a gang conference that is held and speakers come from all over, and all walks of life to share their stories and skills. One man I came across, TJ Leydon, is a former neo-Nazi gang member. I felt that this would be a very relatable man. He's fallen to the deepest of depths, feeling the pain and the guilt. It seems his testimony would be extremely appropriate and affective for my age group. High school is when most of the peer pressure starts and the decisions you make can be life changing; whether these changes are for the best or the worst is up to us as people.
Counseling is a concept that many people grasp onto, but it doesn't work for everyone. Teenagers, especially avoid this idea of help, they prefer looking to their friends for advice-- advice that, at times, can be unpredictable. Counselors are wise but most of the time can not be related to. I feel that if they put people like TJ Leydon into struggling high schools, counseling would be much more affective. The students would be able to talk about their problems and feel like there wasn't just empty advice bouncing back at them.
Like counselors, police are suited to handle violent and emotional situations between teens, but to me, and I'm sure I am speaking for the entire student body, they are only doing their job and they only care for a short amount of time. If we were able to bring in people who could truly see and feel what these struggling teens are going through, the recovery would go much more smoothly. The truth is, we just need someone to show they care and they believe in us. That means more than anything in the world. As a teen I can feel so insignificant and not good enough for anything. It's that stage in our lives where we stand right in between a kid and an adult--a hard place to be. You receive freedom but much less than you feel is right.
I'm sure it is understandable to all that growing up is hard, but the journey is great. When you're young you wish you were older; when you're old, you wish you were younger. The human population never really seems to be satisfied. Yes, teen violence is a problem and yes, kids do make some terrible decisions, but they just need a little help. Using the money you've received to sponsor these ideas, could change lives. And isn't that our goal? We only long to help and protect the people of our great country; the United States of America. Please consider what I've said. I speak for my generation and hope that together we can create a better tomorrow. "Together we stand, divided we fall". ~Martin Luther King Jr.
Thank you,
Olivia Ritchie
Milwaukee, WI
