this collection of writing

APRIL 2007: BE AWARE MONTH
VOL. 14 ISSUE 7
“He responded by hitting me in the face.” “He pulled the car over and started to beat me.” “I didn’t
want to risk losing him or the solid foundation I thought we had built together. I didn’t want to lose
what I had worked so hard to attain.” “My story is a reminder that sexual exploitation comes in many
forms. It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, straight or gay, rich or poor, innocent or street smart.
It can happen to anyone” “For the time I was with him, if he went somewhere he would take me with
him. We went everywhere together, like to the store to get something to eat and to pay for the hotel.”
“Sometimes when I made him mad he would threaten not to feed me.” “Oh, all he wants is for me to
R care because I had fallen in love with him. Because I was in
E Ewith him. After a while I E
haveTsex
didn’t
IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE
P
N NE
A
P
S much whatever he asked me to.” “I was scared of being somewhere alone.”
love with, I would do W
pretty
6 to who
16
“This abuse made me feel less of myself. And his abuse made it harder for me to trust Pages
every man
walked
of what
T HintoE myVlife.”
O“IIwas
C afraid
E O
F she was going to say and that she was not going to believe me.
She probably would have told me to get out of her face.” “He wouldn’t have dated me because I was so
O UbutRheGwasE so
Nbeautiful
E R ATand
I OI wanted
N to give him a try.” “We were talking over the phone for a few
young,
months before I saw him. He was telling me about all these dreams: ‘We’re going to be together forever
I want you to move in with me.’ He lured me with sweetness and made me feel loved.” “He responded
by hitting me in the face.” “He pulled the car over and started to beat me.” “I didn’t want to risk losing
him or the solid foundation I thought we had built together. I didn’t want to lose what I had worked so
hard to attain.” “My story is a reminder that sexual exploitation comes in many forms. It doesn’t matter
if you’re male or female, straight or gay, rich or poor, innocent or street smart. It can happen to anyone”
“For the time I was with him, if he went somewhere he would take me with him. We went everywhere
together, like to the store to get something to eat and to pay for the hotel.” “Sometimes when I made
him mad he would threaten not to feed me.” “Oh, all he wants is for me to have sex with him. After a
while I didn’t care because I had fallen in love with him. Because I was in love with, I would do pretty
much whatever he asked me to.” “I was scared of being somewhere alone.” “This abuse made me feel
less of myself. And his abuse made it harder for me to trust every man who walked into my life.” “I
was afraid of what she was going to say and that she was not going to believe me. She probably would
have told me to get out of her face.” “He wouldn’t have dated me because I was so young, but he was
so beautiful and I wanted to give him a try.” “We were talking over the phone for a few months before
I saw him. He was telling me about all these dreams: ‘We’re going to be together forever I want you
to move in with me.’ He lured me with sweetness and made me feel loved.” “He responded by hitting
me in the face.” “He pulled the car over and started to beat me.” “I didn’t want to risk losing him or
the solid foundation I thought we had built together. I didn’t want to lose what I had worked so hard
to attain.” “My story is a reminder that sexual exploitation comes in many forms. It doesn’t matter if
you’re male or female, straight or gay, rich or poor, innocent or street smart. It can happen to anyone”
“For the time I was with him, if he went somewhere he would take me with him. We went everywhere
together, like to the store to get something to eat and to pay for the hotel.” “Sometimes when I made
him mad he would threaten not to feed me.” “Oh, all he wants is for me to have sex with him. After a
while I didn’t care because I had fallen in love with him. Because I was in love with, I would do pretty
much whatever he asked me to.” “I was scared of being somewhere alone.” “This abuse made me
feel less of myself. And his abuse made it harder for me to trust every man who walked into my life.”
SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION
W W W . V O X R O X . O R G
A T L A N T A ’ S
O N L Y
C I T Y W I D E
N E W S P A P E R
C R E A T E D
B Y
A N D
A B O U T
T E E N A G E R S
Taking a Bad Trip on Weed, page 4 | Movie and DVD Reviews, page 17 | Give VOX Your Feedback, page 20
ABOUT THIS ISSUE
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
PAGE 2
hey readers,
TE
EN
N E W S PA P
ER
ISSUE COORDINATORS
Keosha Morgan, Mays
Yasmin Miller, Riverdale
Marjon Wolfe, Riverdale
TEEN STAFF (published recently in VOX)
Willamae Boling, Friends School of Atlanta
DeAndre’ Brittingham, Lithonia
Reuben Buchanan, Tri-Cities
Brett Bush, Southwest DeKalb
Alexandria Clark, Southwest DeKalb
Camille Crump, McNair
Christina Donaldson, Redan
Lewis Eichelberger, Home schooled
Ni-ka Ford, Tri-Cities
Khalia Glover, Stone Mountain
Raiona Green, Clarkston
Raisa Habersham, Mays
Shandrea Hardeman, Grady
Emma Harger, Druid Hills
Adia Harris, Chamblee
Raven Hathcock, Riverdale
Donté Harvey, Grady
Kenneth Hawkins, Mays
John Henry Hinkel, Paideia
Ayan Hussein, Clarkston
Priya Johnson, Roswell
Jasmine Jones, Grady
Marcus Jones, Tri-Cities
Jasmine Kelly, Morrow
Ariana Kendricks, Home schooled
Omer Khan, Counterpane
Barry Langer, Weber
Felicia Lankford, Carver
Carlyle Manns, Mays
Breanna McDaniel, Creekside
David McDaniel
Allison McWaters, Decatur
Chantai Meadows, Creekside
Amber Middlebrooks, Douglass
Nia Milner, Stephenson Middle
Isha Mitra, Westminster
Mackenzie Morgan, Stephenson
Kai Mosley, Tri-Cities
Tamara Patrick, Mays
Chintana Phravorachit, Riverdale
Lauren Phillips, Tri-Cities
Ricky Riley, Southwest DeKalb
Jonathan Rodriguez, Tri-Cities
Shabaaka Smalls, Tech High
Stephanie Smith, Carver
Jennifer Starck, Counterpane
Amber Stephens, Towers
Idrees Syed, Northview
Justin Tuitt, Stephenson Middle
Montrese Turner, McEachern
Khadizah Walker, Riverdale
Conzuella West, South Atlanta
Aubrey Williams, Riverdale
Latrice Williams, Home schooled
Fenell Wilkins, Cedar Grove
VOLUNTEERS/MENTORS THIS MONTH
Evelyn Bailey; Jason Bouffard; Pete Corson; Faith
Carmichael; Lynda Greer; Lisa Habib; Ed Tharp
Special thanks to Dana Simmons-Greco for extra
volunteerism in helping teens create this edition!
VOX BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Evelyn Bailey, Georgia Power Co.; Jay Bernath, C&S
Wholesale; Jessie Bond, communications consultant;
Johnita Due, CNN Legal; Paula Frederick, State Bar of
Georgia; Lynda Greer, portrait photographer; Shandrea
Hardeman, Grady High School; Wendy Heaps, Centers for
Disease Control & Prevention; Dorothy Jackson, Troutman
Sanders; Greg Jacobs, lawyer; Mindy Larcom, Fox 5 News;
Ray McNair, TBS; Keosha Morgan, Mays High School;
Mackenzie Morgan, Stephenson High School; Kevin
Pearson, Georgia Power Co.; Steve Schaetzel, King &
Spalding; Debbie Segal, Kilpatrick Stockton; Simit Shah,
CNN.com; Sandi Karchmer Solow, marketing consultant;
Ashley Watson, Attenex; Carolyn Wingfield, Southern
Company Services; Marjon Wolfe, Riverdale High School
VOX ADULT STAFF
Executive Director, Rachel Alterman Wallack, MSW
Program Director, Meredith Tetloff, MSW
Associate Director, Anna L. Kelly
Visual Arts Coordinator, Apryl Pilolli
Writing Coordinator, Roger Slavens
MSW Intern, Ericka Lewis
VOX is an independent newspaper written by and
about Atlanta-area teenagers. VOX is distributed by
VOX Teen Communications, Inc., a non-profit youthdevelopment organization. Address correspondence
to VOX, 145 Nassau St., Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Office phone is (404) 614-0040. All rights reserved. ©
VOX Teen Communications, Inc., 2007.
T
his issue is our baby
— nine months in
the making, and it’s
finally here! During that time, we have had the
pleasure of working with a
group of young girls who have,
unfortunately, been the victims
of sexual exploitation in our
community. However, their
passion and their stories have
inspired us, and the theme of
this issue. If it didn’t hit you
smack dab in the face from our
cover, then it’s “Sexual Exploitation: It Could Happen to Anyone.”
In volunteering with girls
who have written very personal
stories about their lives – and
in coordinating this edition of
VOX, not only have the three of
us learned how big the problem of sexual exploitation is in
Atlanta, we have also matured
and grown as journalists and
women. Through VOX’s Girls
Group Outreach Program,
we helped coach 11 girls who
used writing and art to express
themselves, several of whom
share deeply personal stories
in this edition of VOX, giving an
up-close look at how they were
sexually exploited.
Additionally, several VOX staff
writers have researched how,
though you might not realize
it, sexual exploitation affects all
our lives. We hope that reading the stories and reflections
we’ve published in these pages
both touch you and allow you
to look past your own judgments of teens affected by
sexual exploitation. Our goals
are not to scare you, but to
educate, inspire change and
to open your eyes to the world
around all of us.
Don’t forget to tell us how we
inspire you by completing our
annual Readers’ Survey on the
back of this issue. Read, learn
and love.
By Keosha Morgan, Marjon Wolfe and
Yasmin Miller / Issue Coordinators
and VOX Girls Group Interns
WWW.VOXROX.ORG
WORD OF MOUTH
Extra! Extra! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Web Time Wasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Hot on the Streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
MIRROR: REFLECTIONS
One Bad Trip on Weed . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
A Spiritual Pilgrimage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
COVER STORIES
Breaking the Myths of Exploitation . . . . . 6
The Process of Healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
My Friends Jordan and John . . . . . . . . . 8
Nameless: Surviving Kidnapping & Rape . 9
These Girls Could Be My Sisters . . . . . 10
Not Enough Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
From Criminal to Victim . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Words Can Hurt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
The Meaning Has Been Lost . . . . . . . . 12
Reflections on “Born Into Brothels” . . . 13
Songs to Play and Not Play . . . . . . . . . 13
How Men Can Help Stop the Violence . 14
Don’t Let Sex Rule Your Relationship . . 15
Selling My Body for Love . . . . . . . . . . 16
REVIEWS
Movie Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
“300,” “Daddy’s Little Girls,” and “Volver”
THE WALL
Original Reader Poetry & Art . . . . . . . 18
PHOTO ESSAY
Cool Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
READERS’ SURVEY
Give VOX Your Feedback & Win a Prize . 20
COVER CREDITS: Photo Illustration by Reuben
Buchanan, Barry Langer, Lauren Phillips, Raven
Hathcock and the VOX Art Team.
VOX THANKS ITS DONORS AT THE FOLLOWING SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Through VOX, diverse groups of teens learn skills to express themselves and build a stronger community. Thanks to these companies, foundations and individuals, our doors are open to teens six days a week.
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Leaders ($5,000-9,999)
AGL Resources
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WORD OF MOUTH
WWW.VOXROX.ORG
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Yet again, I’m here to sort through a
month’s worth of news and give you the
low down on what you might have missed.
I’m like VH1’s “Best Week Ever,” written
just for teenagers. (In case you’re reading,
VH1 executives, I’m graduating this spring
and could use some money.)
➤ Google is being sued by Viacom. Why?
Because YouTube, which Google bought
not so long ago for $1.65 billion, hosts
lots of copyrighted material on the site
owned by Viacom. And Viacom owns Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Pictures. So ever y time you watch
a clip of “The Colbert Report” or “South
Park” on YouTube, Viacom loses precious
advertising dollars that keep the $25 billion media powerhouse afloat. I’d suggest
watching all your favorite clips now — it
certainly seems likely that (if they weren’t
submitted by Joe Schmo) they’re going to
get yanked. If Viacom wins the case, you
can bet other media companies are going
to go after their clips, too.
➤ If the Federal Government doesn’t
step in soon, then Georgia’s PeachCare
program is going to get cut. PeachCare,
for those of you who don’t know, is our
state’s way of insuring children who otherwise wouldn’t have health insurance, and
therefore are able to afford doctor’s visits.
Gov. Sonny Perdue is up at Capitol Hill as
we publish this issue of VOX, asking the
big wigs for money to continue PeachCare.
However, the budget bill that includes
PeachCare’s funding
also includes a resolution about taking
the troops out of Iraq
before September 2008 — and
the money that PeachCare has to
share (some $124 million) could
be used for the wars in Afghanistan
and Iraq, among other causes. And,
in fact, it’s things like Perdue’s “Go
Fish Georgia” tourism program that have
caused the Georgia
House and Senate
to delay the bill’s
passing. There’s
nothing funny about this
one. Nothing whatsoever. So stop
looking for a punchline. Seriously. I’m
for real, there is no punchline. Move on
to the next bulletin.
WEB TIME WASTERS
Hello fellow Web wizards! I wanted to
thank you for all your submissions for this
little column of mine. They were uber-awesome and mundo-helpful considering I’ve
been wasting my time and procrastinating on
these sites rather than writing this column.
Incidentally, you should be wasting your time
on these rather than doing whatever it is
you’re supposed to be doing, too. So, let’s
get right to some Internet destinations that’ll
do the trick:
➤ www.nationstates.net: This is a Web
site and game for those people who’ve
always wanted to know what it’s like to be
a ruthless dictator (or benevolent president)
of your own country. Inspired by the novel,
“Jennifer Government” by Max Barry, NationStates lets you name your country and set
government policy with thousands of other
countries run by thousands of other “world
leaders” playing this online version of the
United Nations. The game is time-intensive
– truly a time waster — with you being able
to only make a couple moves per day, and
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
➤ Russia is being awesome, and for more
than merely producing ridiculously good
looking tennis players (e.g., Elena Bovina,
Ekaterina Bychkova, Maria Kirilenko and of
course, Anna Kournikova) and wonder fully
evil James Bond villains. Russia had sent
technical engineers to help Iran with its
nuclear enrichment program, but recently
has been pulling them out because Iran
has not been paying the Russians on time.
But that’s not the only reason. Our former
Cold War enemy has also felt the international pressure to halt Iran’s nuclear
enrichment program and decided to help
out those worried about Iran’s potential
for developing nuclear weapons. Iran
responded to Russia’s actions by giving
a firm “We will do whatever we please,
thanks so much.” In cutting ties with
Iran’s nuclear program, Russia put extra
pressure on Iran to sit down and talk with
the United Nations about stopping their
atomic aspirations.
➤ In more nuclear news, North Korea has
(essentially) agreed to begin international
talks about stopping its nuclear development program, but on one condition: A
$25 million bank account to which the
United States froze access must be
released back into Nor th Korean power.
Our countr y froze the account because
we thought it was being used for illegal
dealings, and Nor th Korea has promised
to use it for humanitarian projects when
it is unfrozen. In fact, it’s even more
positive than that, because Nor th Korea
(dubbed to be par t of the “Axis of Evil”
by U.S. President George W. Bush) has
already promised to disengage one of its
nuclear reactors should it receive some
money and some promises of security. It makes
me hopeful that Nor th Korea is doing
something for world peace; it seems like
the countr y is taking a real step for ward.
Although, you have to worr y about any
countr y whose militar y is the four th
largest in the world and consists approximately 1/17th of its population.
➤ For our last piece, we have some real
big news, pun completely, totally and fully
intended. The Airbus A380, the world’s
biggest passenger airplane — it seats
555 people, as compared to Boeing’s
747 at 223 people — made its first appearance on U.S. soil last month, when
one landed in New York after a direct
flight from Frankfur t, Germany. It’s a big
deal because Airbus is Boeing’s only competitor when it comes to mega airplanes,
and with Boeing’s new passenger jet
slated to come out in 2010, Airbus has
already got a transatlantic flight under
its belt. Five hundred is a lot of people.
The sentences below consist of 500 letters, not including the spaces in between
the words. Imagine one person for each
letter, then take them and put them in a
double-decker plane, and you’ll have one
Airbus. It keeps going on, and, in fact,
I have run out of things to say, but I already attempted to get this point across,
dear reader, and to emphasize I must
continue to have you imagine each letter
represent a person. There goes one, wait,
three for the word “one,” and another
few more each time. I just reached four
hundred and thir ty five and wait, we’re
almost done. There, now we’re done. And
that’s still shor t 50 or so words, folks. I
can’t believe you read this whole thing.
PAGE 3
HOT ON THE STREETS
Here’s a quick check on happenings around
The ATL for April and early May:
APRIL 6-8
Big South 18-and-Under National Volleyball
Qualifier: Georgia World Congress Center,
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Middle school,
high school and club volleyball teams from
all over the south come together for the
regional qualifier the first full weekend in
April. Admission is free, but spectators must
acquire a three-day ticket. For more information, visit www.bigsouth.us.
APRIL 12-14
FIRST Robotics Championship: Georgia
Dome, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. FIRST Robotics Competition is a varsity sport of the
mind designed to help teenagers learn
engineering skills, built robots and pit them
against each other in a battle royale. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.
usfirst.org.
By Barry Langer / VOX Staff
Fall Out Boy
APRIL 19
Fall Out Boy plus Cobra Starship, The
Academy Is, +44 and Paul Wall: HiFi Buys
Amphitheatre, 6 p.m. This all-ages show
features an eclectic mix of some of today’s
most popular music acts. Tickets are $24 to
$40. Call 404-249-6400.
APRIL 20-21
The Airbus A380 is the world’s
biggest passenger airplane —
it seats 555 people.
requires you to interact with others if you
really want to rise to be a world power. I’d
recommend this site for all of the guys and
gals who plan on running for president next
election (ha ha), or those who like politics or
things like the game Risk.
➤ www.mediastorm.org: This is the coolest
Web site of all time. Seriously. This guy Brian
Storm and his
crew get assignments to take
a whole bunch
of photographs
and videos,
and transform
them into these
insane, active, 3D media
masterpieces
that you have to A video from Media Storm
see to believe.
He doesn’t just do these for fun; he consults
for some major media clients, too. I won’t
waste more words by attempting to get you
to a computer, except for these: Don’t miss
out on this site or your life will be incomplete.
➤ www.Pandora.com: I’m sorr y for you,
but if you don’t know about this Web site
by now, then I have to say that your head
has been so deeply buried in the sand that
sea-turtles are laying their eggs by your
nose as we speak. Come back to the surface and create your own music stations
that allow you to listen to your favorite artists and songs while also learning about
other artists and music types. You can
stream music for free all day.
➤ www.qrmag.com: A brand new print
publication and Web site, Qrmagazine appeals to young males who identify as gay
or are questioning their sexuality and gives
them a chance to submit their stories or
artwork and see them appear online and
maybe even in print. The content is pretty
awesome and the pictures leave little to
the imagination (not recommended for the
faint of heart or people younger than 13),
though they’re not pornographic. Here’s a
place where you can show your true colors
— all seven of them.
By Shabaaka Smalls
and Barr y Langer / VOX Staff
National Youth Service Day 2007: Sponsored by Hands On Atlanta, metro Atlanta
youth have the opportunity to volunteer
in projects all across the city. Volunteers
will be placed at parks, schools and senior
homes where they will sort clothes, books,
and food and help clean up neighborhoods.
Afterward, everyone will be invited to
Georgia Tech for an afternoon celebration
complete with food, entertainment, prizes
and more. Visit www.HandsOnAtlanta.org to
download a registration packet. Volunteers
under 18 must have parental permission.
APRIL 22
GoGirlGo! Street Cup: Dresden Park, DeKalb
County. Open to all girls ages 6 through
16 regardless of skill, this soccer event
includes a skills clinic and mini games. Just
show up ready to play at this free activity.
Call 678-993-2113 for more information.
MAY 2
National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy:
Support The National Campaign to Prevent
Teen Pregnancy to raise awareness about
this important topic by taking a national
online quiz at www.TeenPregnancy.org.
MAY 11
Gwen Stefani plus Lady Sovereign and
Akon: HiFi Buys Amphitheatre, 8 p.m. Gwen
and crew will spin some of today’s hottest
pop and hip-hop at this all-ages show.
Tickets are $69.50, but lawn tickets are
only $10, www.ticketmaster.com.
Compiled by Stephanie Smith / VOX Staff
MIRROR: REFLECTION
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
PAGE 4
WWW.VOXROX.ORG
ONE BAD TRIP
I thought smoking weed was harmless. Now I know better.
By Name Withheld
DRUG PREVENTION
AND INTERVENTION
VOX Staff
I
could feel my high coming on, so I was
about ready to leave my friends’ little
weed-smoking get together and get back
to school. However, I felt like I needed to
lie down for a little while before climbing back
behind the driver’s wheel of my mother’s car.
After lying down for about 10 or 15 minutes
I tried to get up to leave, but I couldn’t stand.
My legs didn’t want to work and all of a sudden I felt completely nauseated. I pulled myself up on the couch and knelt over it when I
realized I was breathing really fast and I could
feel my pulse start to race.
My friend Amber* came over to me and
saw that something was wrong. She helped
me get up on my feet, but almost as soon as
she grabbed me I knew I was going to throw
up. On my wobbly legs, I stumbled to the
bathroom and started to blow chunks. I felt so
sick so suddenly I thought I was going to puke
up my stomach.
What’s wrong with me? I thought to myself.
What have I done?
I threw up again, and at that moment I realized I was not having a good high. I thought I
was about to die.
If you or someone you know has a drug
problem, here are several Atlanta-area
clinics and resource centers where you
can get help.
➤ Kirkwood Teen Center provides
teens with various health services,
classes, counseling and drugprevention services. 2006 Hosea
Williams Dr., Atlanta. 404-371-0255.
➤ Peachford Behavioral Health
System serves metropolitan Atlanta
with specialized treatment programs
for children, adolescents, adults and
seniors suffering from drug and alcohol
addictions. It is open 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. 2151 Peachford
Rd. Atlanta. 770-455-3200. www.
peachfordhospital.com.
➤ Odyssey Family Counseling Center
provides teens and families with help
for substance abuse and mental health
issues. Open until 8 p.m. Monday
through Thursday and until 3:30 p.m.
Friday. South Fulton County: 3480
Main St., College Park, 404-762-9190.
DeKalb County: 4290 Memorial Dr.,
Suites C and D, Decatur. 404-2940774. www.odysseycounseling.org.
How Getting High Became a Habit
When I was little, my parents and my older
brother constantly told me not to smoke. I call
that the “Don’t push the red button” theory.
If they told me not to do something over and
over again, more than likely I was going to
do it anyway. Besides, they all smoked all the
time. I couldn’t help but wonder If smoking
cigarettes is so bad, then why are you doing it?
And they never told me why smoking is bad,
they just told me not to do it.
I used to worry that my parents would one
day die from smoking. And I thought it was
a disgusting habit. But when I got older, you
could say I finally pushed that red button and
started smoking. By age 11, I occasionally
smoked Black and Milds — my cigarette of
choice. And by 13 I was a full-blown smoker.
I learned it from my family, but I also smoked
because many of my friends did, too. (See
“Drug Prevention and Intervention” box.)
That’s where I picked up a habit of smoking weed. I tried it for the first time more
than a year ago at a friend’s house, and I was
surprised that nothing drastic happened from
smoking the blunt. It was kind of relaxing,
but nothing mind blowing. Once the high
wore off, I went right back to my normal life at
school and home.
I started smoking weed every once in
awhile with my friends, but I never grew interested in anything harder. I didn’t drop acid or
down a bunch of pills. I liked the mild, relaxing high of weed, and I didn’t want to experience anything more. I would go and just relax
and chill with my friend Shayla* almost once
or twice a week at her house.
But one day last fall, my outlook on weed
completely changed.
The Day I Thought I Was Going to Die
I woke up the morning of Sept. 11, 2006
feeling odd, as if I knew something bad was
going to happen to me. I dropped off my
mother at the Indian Creek MARTA Station,
and I drove her car to school. As I got close
to school, I called Amber to see if she needed
a ride, and she did. On the way to school, I
got a call from another friend, Michael*, who
➤ YOUR Teen Connection is a
clinic/community center for teens
that provides drug and sexual health
services, counseling and classes.
Open until 5 p.m. Monday through
Wednesday, and 6 p.m. Thursday and
Friday. 2801 Candler Rd., Suite 67,
Decatur. 404-241-8311.
These resources came from VOX’s Teen
Resource Guide (www.TeenResourceATL.
org) which provides support services for
teens looking for help with drug, sex and
mental health issues.
Illustration by NI-KA FORD | VOX STAFF
wanted us to come smoke a quick blunt with
him. We’d be very late for school, but driving
in my mom’s BMW I felt very rebellious.
I looked over at Amber and asked, “You
wanna go?” “Sure, OK,” she replied.
I remember what time it was because I took
my birth control pill at 9:45 a.m. and then we
started smoking. I had seen the birth control
commercials saying that women are urged
not to smoke if they’re on the pill — it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke — but I
didn’t think it would affect me. Michael and
I started smoking the blunt, and we were all
talking to each other while Amber was doing
Michael’s little brother’s hair.
And that’s when I felt that relaxing high
followed by a scary low. At first I thought it had
something to do with a bad reaction between
the weed and my birth control, but later I
learned that wasn’t likely the case. I just had a
bad trip, and to this day I’m not sure why.
After I threw up everything that was in my
stomach, Amber tried to give me bread and
water, but I couldn’t keep it down. Finally
Amber went to get me some soup from Publix
and by the time she got back I was almost
passed out on the floor. I had no energy to get
up. I could barely put on my shoes and I had
to leave. They all helped me up and put me
in the car. Amber was so worried and careful
with me. I’ve known her since middle school.
She’s always been there for me, and this day
was no different.
Amber drove me home, helped me take a
shower and got me dressed. By the time I had
done all of that, I was crying real hard and I
just wanted my brother’s girlfriend Shanice*
to come get me and help. I wanted her not
only because she was in school to become a
nurse, but because I felt more comfortable
telling her first. I couldn’t bear to tell my older
brother. I called her and started screaming
hysterically about what had happened, and
she came right away. When Shanice got to my
house, she ran upstairs and checked me out.
I could barely keep my eyes open, let alone
stand. But I could hear her say to me, “Girl,
you overdosed.”
All I wanted to do was to go to sleep again.
My body just felt so tired, and I couldn’t hold
myself up. She loaded me and Amber in the
car, and while Shanice was driving I could
hear her yelling at Amber, telling her that what
we did was wrong and we should’ve known
better — and we should have.
Facing the Aftermath
Looking back, I don’t think I could’ve died
Breanna McDaniel / VOX Staff
from that incident, but it felt like I was almost
there. At Shanice’s house, I went upstairs and
prayed that God or someone would help me
and that somehow my parents wouldn’t find
out. I could hear my brother come in and start
yelling. I heard him get on the phone and
tell my dad what happened. The next thing I
knew, my parents arrived and took me home.
I felt so bad about myself and how careless I was. I almost threw away my whole
life for a couple hours of fun. I was, and still
am, upset that my parents didn’t ask me how
I was. I understand I did something illegal
and I disappointed them, but I am still their
daughter and wish they would have asked me
if I needed help. Although all they did was yell
at me, I knew that they did care.
To this day I thank God that I had someone
to help me that day. I have forgiven my parents — both for their reaction and for not doing a better job at teaching me about why it’s
bad to smoke. I still know people who smoke
weed, but I don’t anymore. Weed seems harmless, but now I know better.
The writer, 16, loves life and doesn’t want to do
anything stupid to throw it away.
* Names changed to protect privacy.
MIRROR: REFLECTION
WWW.VOXROX.ORG
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
PAGE 5
A Spiritual Pilgrimage
Traveling to Islam’s
most holy places
changed me forever
companions are buried. It is a part of Heaven
according to my faith.
The next day, my family left for Mina — a
place like none I have seen before. Thousands
of tents held people of all types and classes.
These were huge tents that could fit hundreds of people. Out of the 5 million people
who went to Hajj, we estimated that at least
one-fifth were sleeping outside in the cold
air of Saudi Arabia. To my surprise, they were
smiling and laughing, sipping tea and relating
stories with only a blanket to protect them
from the wind. I realized how lucky I was to
have a tent with warm blankets and food.
By Idrees Syed
VOX Staff
I
looked around at my house in parting,
sure that when I returned I would be a
different person. I was about to become
a Hajji.
“What’s a Hajji?” you may wonder. Hajji
is just a way of identifying a person who has
gone through the spiritual journey of Hajj, a
pilgrimage to Islam’s most holy places. Such a
pilgrimage is something that is encourage by
my religion, Islam. In fact, it is one of the five
pillars of my faith.
The journey overseas to the sacred lands of
Madinah, Mina, Makkah, Arafat and Muzdalifah is spiritual, but it also consists of traveling
by foot, plane and 10-hour long bus drives.
It requires a lot of patience and self-sacrifice.
But the Hajj is meant to test your faith, and
after you’ve completed the trip, you’re supposed to be dramatically changed as a person
and as a Muslim.
On the Hajj, Muslims come together from
every single corner of the world — all for the
sake of God. There is no “You’re Sunni” or
“You’re Shi’a” — two of the main factions of
Islam, ones you may have heard are fighting
against each other in Iraq right now. Nor are
there any prejudices based on race, skin color
or economic status. I found that there was absolutely no hate as all we Muslims shared the
same goal of experiencing our sacred roots.
The journey opened an entirely new perspective for me, contrary to some of the hate
against and among Muslims I have seen on
TV and read in the newspaper. As Malcolm X
said when he went on the Hajj, “Packed in the
plane were white, black, brown, red, and yellow people, blue eyes and blond hair, and my
kinky red hair – all together, brothers!”
The Journey Begins
The Hajj was a long journey from Atlanta.
We had to fly through Chicago, then to Frankfurt, Germany, then to Amman, Jordan, and
then to Madinah, Saudi Arabia. It took more
than a day to reach this second holiest place
in all of Islam.
Madinah is the city of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). When he
brought Islam to the city, the people readily
accepted the religion, and he called Madinah
home. He is buried in the city at the Masjid
an-Nabawi, the Mosque of the Prophet.
The nights lights that greeted me in Madinah were brilliant, matching my excitement.
They reminded me somewhat of downtown
Atlanta, when the lights of the buildings and
the glow of the stars could mislead some to
think it was day. Setting foot in this city, an
overpowering tranquility swept through me.
My heart felt the serenity that I imagined the
companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
had felt in his presence.
The next morning (or should I say an hour
later because it was about 3 a.m. there) I
wasn’t tired at all, even though I should have
been suffering from jet lag. There’s about
an eight-hour difference between Atlanta
and Madinah time. “Allahu Akbar” (God is
the greatest) rang out in the call for prayer
throughout the city. The Imam — leader of the
mosque — in Madinah is known for his beautiful recitation of the Quran during prayer.
Performing Sacred Rituals
The next stop was to Madinah, the most
holy city of the Hajj pilgrimage. Upon arriving we had to get into ihram, a state of grace
and purity where you cannot harm a thing;
you cannot even pull a hair off your head or
squash an ant. Then we could participate
in Umrah, the ritual circling of the Kabah
at the center of Makkah. When we Muslims
pray toward Makkah for all our daily prayers
— no matter where we are — we are actually
praying toward the Kabah, which is the center
stone shrine of Islam. During Umrah, we walk
around the Kabah seven times, as well as
between two mountains seven times, symbolizing the lives of Abraham and his wife Hagar.
The ground around the Kabah was marble,
and we had to walk barefoot on it. Even
though the Kabah is black, it seemed to me to
give off this holy light of purity that made me
feel clean, like I had washed my sins away.
When we finished Umrah, we traveled back
to Mina, where we spent days in worship,
listening to lectures and praying.
Sharing the Experience
Photos by IDREES SYED | VOX STAFF
ABOVE: Even
though it only has
room for 1 million
people, more than 3
million can squeeze
into Makkah’s most
holy mosque, the
Masjid al-Haram,
during daily prayers.
RIGHT: Muslims all
around the world
pray toward the
Kabah, the central
altar of the faith
that resides in
Makkah’s Masjid
al-Haram.
Back at home, I used to listen to the recitation
on Web sites and even bought CDs. To pray
behind him seemed like a dream.
Streams of people milled out of the hotel
toward the Masjid, the streets filled with thousands of fellow Hajjis of all nationalities —
Africans, Egyptians, Malaysians and Americans, among others — alongside Madinah’s
citizens who made their way to the mosque
every day. The Masjid was colossal; I could
not see the end of it. It is literally miles long
and wide as it was the size of the original city
of Madinah when the Prophet arrived there.
Gracing the building were tall, marble arches
with green stripes, the color of the finest green
nature could produce, and real gold was
etched into the ceiling and area where the
Imam leads the prayer. Lush red carpets furnished the floor, and anywhere there wasn’t
carpet, there was pure, white marble.
Though we arrived early, the Masjid was
filled with people ready to pray. We had to
squeeze in closer than comfortable so that the
thousands upon thousands could pray inside
the packed Masjid. No one wanted to miss the
opportunity to attend prayer at this holy site.
Closer to Heaven
After morning prayers, I traveled with my
father to two other holy places in Madinah.
One was called Rhizahl-Jannah, where the
Prophet Muhammad and two of his closest
We then traveled to Arafat, which we Muslims believe is the valley where Adam and Eve
were reunited on earth. It’s actually a gigantic
desert. Traveling to Arafat is an important part
of the Hajj, the part where we believe sins
are truly washed away if your repent them. I
repented and hopefully was forgiven.
My family and I stayed at Muzdalifah, a holy
city right next to Arafat. Here 5 million people
camped outside in freezing winds with only a
small handful of vendors selling hot tea. It was
a teeming mosaic of people huddled together,
sleeping and praying for forgiveness.
We spent the night huddled in sleeping
bags alongside the other faithful outside, but
only after my family and I gathered stones
to throw at the three devils in a ritual back at
Mina. These devils tempted the Prophet Abraham to turn away from sacrificing his son,
Ismail, even though God asked him to.
After several more days at Mina, we wound
up our trip back in Makkah, where we relaxed,
shopped and participated in daily prayers.
Unlike in the United States, when it is time
for prayer, all shops close. That is perhaps
the greatest beauty of Makkah and Madinah.
When in prayer, people grab spots at the Masjid an hour early because it fills to the edge.
Masjid al-Haram has a capacity of 1 million,
but at prayer time hosts 3 million. Yet somehow there is no discomfort. It is a tremendous
feeling to be one with all the people gathered.
The worst part of the Hajj was leaving. As
I returned to Atlanta, I felt different — more
peaceful and caring toward other people, but
also like part of me had been left behind. My
heart felt tied to the lands of Makkah, Mina,
Madinah, Muzdalifah, and every other small
place I had been to. I felt so open, I wanted to
tell the whole world what I had just done.
Idrees is sophomore at Northview High.
Sexual Exploitation
IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE
W
e at VOX were shocked to learn that, according to several estimates, between 300,000 to
400,000 children and teenagers are sexually
exploited each year in the United States. We were
even more appalled by the fact that Atlanta is ranked
by the FBI as one of the worst cities in the U.S. for
child prostitution.
Having the country’s busiest international airport
and being one of the most popular business conference destinations makes Atlanta easily accessible to
grown men looking to have sex with young girls and
boys.
“It has become a big business in Atlanta,” said
Fulton County Juvenile Court Chief Justice Sanford
Jones. “The sex trade brings in a lot of money, and
there are a lot of pimps and prostitution rings that
have cropped up to serve the growing demand for
child prostitutes.”
Sexual exploitation is an enormous problem that
most Atlantans aren’t even remotely aware of. Most
people think since it’s not their child or they don’t
know anybody who is sexually exploited, then they
shouldn’t care. But we have seen first hand that it
could happen to anyone no matter what economic
situation you’re in, no matter your race, no matter
your gender, no matter your age.
Every month, Fulton County alone sees an average
of 12 girls go through the juvenile court system as
victims of sexual exploitation. Their average age is 13
to 15, and the girls keep getting younger, said Chief
Justice Jones. “I’ve helped girls — and boys — who
were as young as 10,” he said.
We also learned from Judge Jones that, luckily, a law
enacted in 2002 shifted the treatment of the children
caught in the system from being charged as criminals
to being cared for as victims. At about the same time,
the punishment for being convicted as a pimp escalated from a misdemeanor to a felony, he said.
But the shocking reality about child prostitution is
that there is not a “typical” girl. Learning more about
the girls’ personal lives and struggles helped us look
past the stereotypes that we have been manipulated
to believe. The truth is these girls are not doing it for
money, and they’re not out on the streets selling their
bodies.
They are often brought into prostitution by friends
or at least people claiming to be friends. They are
given support and gifts, and then asked to have sex
with others as “compensation” for what they’ve been
given.
Three of us are fortunate enough to be able to work
with several girls at Angela’s House, a safe house for
sexually exploited girls. We worked with them to give
them the courage, friendship, and skills to share their
stories, and in doing so, we knew that we had to bring
the abuse they face to light.
Almost this entire issue of VOX is geared to inform
you about the realities of how young girls fall victim
to these crimes every day, right in our own communities. We hope that reading these girls’ personal
stories, as well as reading our staff’s opinions on how
we teens contribute to the problem, can stop the misconceptions and end the cycle of exploitation.
By Keosha Morgan, Marjon Wolfe and Yasmin Miller / VOX Staff and Girls Group Interns
BREAKING THE MYTHS
By Yasmin Miller
VOX Staff
T
here are many, many misconceptions about
the victims of sexual exploitation. Most of them
stem from the fact that people are just plain
ignorant about this problem and have only half-conceived notions, or worse, believe the media’s broad
stereotypical portrayal of prostitutes, pimps and the
sex trade.
I’ve learned, however, from working with the girls
at Angela’s House that many of these preconceived
notions are nothing but myths. There usually is little or
no truth behind the stereotypes of sexual exploitation,
and I think it is time for them to be debunked.
The following myths are not only commonly – and
wrongly – believed, but also things that most of us
would never take the time to learn:
➤ “The girls are in it for the money.” A lot of girls get
sucked into prostitution for love. It might sound silly,
but many girls turn “tricks” because their pimps – usually someone close to them like a boyfriend or a loved
one – convince them to sleep with others as a “favor.”
They may also be promised money, but very rarely do
they see any of it.
➤ “It’s a choice.” None of these girls ever wake up
one day and say, “Well, today I’m going to go and have
myself used and abused.” Oftentimes the girls are
forced or manipulated into the whole affair by people
who take advantage of low self-esteem or need for love.
➤ “The girls asked for/deserve this.” Those who have
been sexually exploited and abused are hurting and
confused by the things through which they have suffered. People make the mistake all the time in assuming that those who have been sexually exploited chose
to get themselves hurt. Make no mistake about it, no
one ever chooses to be hurt as badly as some of these
girls have been.
➤ “They are all runaways/throwaways.” Sexual exploitation happens to girls and boys regardless of class,
race or background. One of the reasons such abuse is
able to flourish is because people believe that it does
not happen to “normal” girls. But it does. This problem
has managed to seep into the crevices of our society,
and it affects anyone who has the misfortune of falling
in its path.
➤ “If they really wanted to stop they would.” The
world of prostitution, pornography and other forms of
sexual exploitation is dark and intricate. It is a problem
that for many of the victims spirals out of control. In
PAGE 6
Photo illustration by RAVEN HATHCOCK | VOX STAFF
the case of prostitution the girls frequently fall in love
with their pimps (or the pimps are someone who is
already close to them) and they feel obligated to do
whatever they ask. They often don’t believe they have
anywhere else to go. If they refuse to obey, their pimps
punish them severely. For some, there is even a process
known as “breaking,” in which the girls are tortured,
raped and even mutilated until their wills are broken
and they are willing to do whatever their pimps demand. Pimps often employ the method of introducing
drugs to the victim, hoping to foster an addiction so
that the victim will be even more dependent on them.
In every case it is a matter of power: The pimps brainwash their victims so thoroughly, the girls can’t believe
there is any other life for them.
➤ “It only affects girls.” Boys are also sexually exploited, usually by older men. Often the connection is
made through online chat rooms and message boards.
➤ “It only affects ‘sluts’.” There is also the misconception that those who are sexually promiscuous
are the targets. And that’s just not true. Kids who are
targeted are often naive.
➤ “The victims should know ‘better’ than to get in
these situations.” The choices some kids make who
wind up intertwined in the world of sexual exploitation
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
usually seem innocent at the time — from something
as simple as getting into an argument with a parent
and then going over at a friend’s house instead of staying at home to taking a walk to the local gas station.
The predators are watching for any sign of weakness or
opportunity. And the victims are rarely fully aware of
the consequences of their actions until it is too late.
➤ “The victims work ‘the corner.’” At one point I
believed that prostitution all took place when a “John”
drove to a shady part of town and picked up a “streetwalker.” This is another misconception reinforced by
movies and other shallow media portrayals. The reality
is that many of the transactions take place in decent
suburban areas, and most of the times, in hotels,
where the rendezvous with the underage victims have
been scheduled in advance. In fact, Atlanta is widely
known as a place where people can fly in from out of
town to find child prostitutes. The prostitution rings
are often run like smart businesses, only they’re selling
despicable acts. Unfortunately, since the girls are not
out in the open on the streets, it makes it harder for
the victims to be found and rescued from their lives of
sexual exploitation.
Yasmin is a junior at Riverdale High.
www.VoxRox.org
The Process of
HEALING
By Name Withheld
VOX Girls Group
G
rowing up, I never really had a solid relationship with my father. I knew who
he was, but not what he was about.
I never knew how not having him in my life
would really hurt me. When I was a little girl,
I was sexually abused and learned not to trust
the men who walked into my life. Little did
I know back then that the abuse would lead
me into a time of being abused and prostituted as a young teen.
caught by the police. They gave me the usual
speech, “You have the right ...”, and then I was
taken to jail for a runaway warrant. While I
was in Metro Regional Youth Detention Center, I did a lot of thinking about my life and
the path it had taken. I started to link things
together. I saw how the abuse I endured as a
little girl affected how I saw men: I couldn’t
trust any of them. So when I finally got out of
Metro a week or two later, I never called Junior
again. Till this day I have never seen or heard
from him, and I never plan to, either. In all
honesty, if he turned up dead, I really wouldn’t
care.
The Pain Begins
When I was 7 years old, my mama found
a secret lover. They fell in love and then had
my little brother, who was born prematurely.
My mama was always at the hospital with
him, and I used stay at home with my ex-step
daddy. Every time my mama left he would
make me have sex with him. This abuse made
me feel less of myself. And his abuse made it
harder for me to trust every man who walked
into my life.
One day while my mama went to the
hospital to sit with my brother, I was at home
playing outside. When I went inside the house
to get in the bath tub, my step daddy came in
the bathroom and got in the tub with me. After we got out of the tub he made me have sex
with him again. I didn’t tell my mama what
her boyfriend was doing because I was afraid
of what she was going to say and that she was
not going to believe me. She probably would
have told me to get out of her face.
One day me, my mama and my grandma
went to the store, and when we arrived back at
my house we were walking up the hill, about
to enter my house, and I was walking kinda of
funny. My legs were farther apart than usual,
and I had a slight limp. My grandma said,
“Why you walking like that?”
“Because my feet hurt,” I lied.
“You don’t have to walk like that,” she said.
I felt sad, disappointed. I was walking with
my legs apart because my vagina was hurting.
It had been hurting for days, but I didn’t know
why.
The Storm is Over ... For Now
So one day the man who abused me and
my mama got into an argument. They were
arguing in my room until my mama yelled at
him: “Get your s*** and get out my house!” I
was lying on my bed, watching and listening,
thinking, He ain’t goin’ nowhere. But then she
threw his stuff out. He walked to the door and
she locked it behind him.
I was very happy. My mama didn’t know
what he’d done to me, but I was thinking,
Good, I won’t have to go through him abusing
me anymore. What I didn’t realize then is that
the abuse affected how I think about men and
what has happened to me since.
A New Day
When I turned 13, my mama started going
to church, and one night I met a boy there. His
name was Dre*, and he was 16 years old. I lied
and told him that I was 16 about to turn 17.
He wouldn’t have dated me because I was so
young, but he was so beautiful and I wanted
to give him a try.
Dre and I exchanged phone numbers
— well, I kind of gave him the wrong number
because my mama didn’t let me talk to boys.
But I was thinking of him, and one night when
my mama was outside I called him, and we
talked for a while. We’ve been together off and
on since then. It took two years for me to tell
www.VoxRox.org
Learning to
trust after
surviving
prostitution
and abuse
Over, and Over Again
“I love you a lot,” I told him.
“Do you love me the way you say you do?”
he asked me.
“I do,” I said.
“Then will you help me get some money?”
he asked me.
“How I’ma do that?” I asked back.
“You know all them crackers that come
in and out buying crack from me? They are
tricks,” he said, “and they looking for girls.”
I didn’t know what he was talking about.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“They want sex,” he said, “and they going to
pay for it.”
I was like, uh, uh. I never did that before. I
was surprised he asked me to do that. I said
“No”.
“If you love me the way you say you do, you
will do it just this one time,” Junior begged.
He tried to convince me — he loved me and
would do whatever I wanted him to do.
“Just one time?” I asked.
“Yeah, one time. I promise,” he said.
After being released, I never prostituted
again, but I wasn’t exactly a saint either. I was
still having problems at home with my mom.
I was around 15 and I was really into going
out with my friends, but she wasn’t having it.
She was too strict. So, I was again rebellious.
I started talking on chat lines, lying more and
stealing. One of my new male “friends” was
Mark*. He was 21 years old. He was real cool. I
remember when me and my friend Brittany*
asked to borrow her befriend’s car to go see
Mark.
She asked him for the car, and he was quick
to respond, “Hell no, you ain’t got no driver’s
license.”
Brittany snapped in return, “I’m not going
to drive; my sister is going to drive.”
After a pause he asked, “Well, OK, but
where are y’all going?”
We had to make up a quick lie, so I jumped
in and said, “We are going to the club.”
He shook his head and handed us the keys,
but not before he told us to have the car back
by 5 a.m.
When he called us around 5:30, we lied
and said that we were on our way back to the
house, but in reality we were at Mark’s house.
Brittany’s boyfriend continued to call, but
we ignored all of his calls. A couple of days
later we were pulled over because he had
reported the car stolen to the police. So here
I was again, going to jail, all for a boy, I mean
a man.
Hell on Earth
The Future Looks Bright
So Junior took me to a hotel. It wasn’t close
to his house, but I still knew where I was. He
then dropped me off in my own room. Before
he left he told to make sure I got the money
before anything happened. He then gave me
some weed to help ease my nerves, but even
after that I was still extremely nervous. Later
on that night he called me and told me a man
was on his way. So I waited. Then a knock
came at the door. I answered it.
Out of nowhere a man asked, “Are you
Tweety?”
I replied, “Yes.”
The rest is history.
When I got done, I called Junior, and then
he came and picked me up. When I got in the
car, he didn’t say anything, I just gave him
the money. There I was at the hotel giving
my body away for money, and he didn’t have
the courtesy to speak to me. For the next two
weeks this same routine continued on.
So one day while I was with Junior, I got
A couple weeks after the car incident I was
locked up on a runaway charge again, and I
was sent to Angela’s House. At first I was not
excited at all to leave my normal surroundings to go and live with a group of strangers.
I wasn’t really into the whole idea of sharing
what I had been going through with people
who barley knew me.
Yet, within the past three months or so,
things have changed. Angela’s House has
helped me in a few ways. I have learned how
to express my feelings and emotions better,
and I have also learned how to communicate
with others (especially my mom). Right now
I am not necessarily a “new” me, but I am
working on it. I know I will do better, but I
also know things take time.
Photo by VOX GIRLS GROUP
him my real age — we were going to the same
alternative school, and I wanted to tell him
before he found out. At first he didn’t believe
me, and now we just laugh about it. I have
told him most everything, but I never told him
about any of the abuse because I have been
afraid he wouldn’t want to be with me.
Boys, Boys and More Boys
Not too long after Dre and I met, when I
was 14, I started talking to older boys and getting on the chat line. I was tired of just talking
to one person. And older men had the money
and the cars. I met a boy, well he really wasn’t
a boy. He was grown man. Junior* was 26
years old when we started talking. At first we
would e-mail each other, then one day he just
gave me his phone number out of the blue.
So, of course, I called.
We were talking over the phone for a few
months before I saw him. He was telling me
about all these dreams: “We’re going to be
together forever. ... I want you to move in with
me. ...” He lured me with sweetness and made
me feel loved. So when he said, “I want to see
you,” I decided to run away to see him.
My mama didn’t want her children going
out at night. But one night while mama was
asleep, Junior picked me up from outside our
home. I snuck back in the house at about 5 or
6 a.m. The next day I called him and he said,
“You gon’ come and spend the night with
me?”
“Yeah,” I replied, “if you come and get me.”
I was mad at my mom and didn’t want to be
in my house. So Junior came and got me, and
we went to his trap house. He was a big-time
dope dealer — both he and his brother.
In the beginning, everything was good.
He wined and dined me, took me to the
mall, bought me a Boost Mobile, a Metro cell
phone, shoes and some other stuff. Then he
took me to get my nails done. Then a month
after I moved in with him things began to
change.
One day Junior asked me how much I loved
him.
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
The author, 16, loves herself, and is not falling
for any more tricks from men.
* Names were changed to protect privacy.
PAGE 7
My friends Jordan and John
One wouldn’t hang out with me when I smoked crack; the other
got me hooked on crack and made me have sex to pay for it.
By Name Withheld
VOX Girls Group
M
y closest friend is Jordan. I have
known Jordan my whole life. Well,
me and Jordan, we always used to
swim and go other places. We always took
pictures that were special to me because we
were having fun when we took them. She is
a very good friend. I think she will do anything for me because when I was smoking
crack she told me she didn’t want to hang
out with me, but she told me whenever I
need her, she’s the one to call. I smoked
weed for four years and crack for a few
months before Jordan said this to me.
This all started when I was walking to
go get cigarettes one day after school and
John* (a 30-year-old who I knew because
his wife used to baby-sit me) drove by,
rolled down his window and said, “Hi.”
I asked if he had a cigarette, and he told
me no but that he’d get some for me. He
bought the cigarettes at the Chevron nearby
and dropped me off back home. During the
ride, he was like, “If you ever need anything,
I’m always here for you.”
And then he asked me a question I
thought was weird: “I have some drugs
— can you hold on to them for me?”
I was like “OK.”
I don’t even know why I said that. He gave
me a little weed so I figured I had to. He was
getting me on drugs. His whole plan was for
me to start smoking so he could pimp me. I
was only 14.
Being John’s Friend
One day I wanted to smoke weed, and
John didn’t have any. He was smoking crack
though. I asked him how it felt, and he told
me it felt good. At first I was scared. I got
over that and asked for him to let me try it
because I wanted to get high so bad.
At first John didn’t ask me to have sex
with him, but after I got on crack he would
tease me with drugs until I gave in. I
thought, Oh, all he wants is for me to have
sex with him. After a while I didn’t care
because I had fallen in love with him.
Because I was in love with him, I would
do pretty much whatever he asked me to.
John started making me have sex for money
so we could buy crack. He always said, “Just
My mom really likes Jordan because she
is a real friend to me. I have other friends.
They just don’t think like Jordan does. She
has a more positive way of thinking.
My mom really likes her because she
doesn’t do drugs. And my mom says she
treats me real good. A real friend has your
back. When I was doing drugs, I didn’t know
who had my back and who didn’t. Sometimes when I gave the money to John, he
left me there with guys I didn’t know.
I know now that Jordan is my true friend.
She’s there for me and she stands up for me
when people talk about me. Jordan is such
a good friend because we have so much
in common and for reasons I just can’t
describe.
Realizing the Truth
Photo by VOX GIRLS GROUP
use protection and when you get back, we’ll
have the time of our lives,” which meant we
were going to have sex and smoke.
I would tell them that I want the money
first, and some times the people I didn’t
want to sleep with I would take their
money. They gave me the money and I ran
outside and jumped in John’s car. I felt bad
when I was taking those people’s money
before I gave it to John.
I always feel mad now when I think
about it. John ruined a part of my life, and
I wouldn’t be here at Angela’s House if it
weren’t for him.
Going to ‘Cracktown’
One day Jordan was hanging out with me
at my house when I told her, “I want to go
over to ‘Cracktown,’ ” the apartments near
my neighborhood where there’s no grass
or nothing, just drugs. I was hanging out
with two friends who were selling drugs.
Jordan didn’t like it there. Jordan stayed at
my house while I went to go get some weed
and crack. I smoked the crack there and
came back with the weed. “What took you
so long?” she asked.
I lied and told her that my friend had to
go get the weed. The day she realized I was
smoking crack, I was with John. She said,
“I’m leaving, but I’m not going to tell on
you.”
She didn’t want to hang out with me
while I was on crack. It was probably too
hard to see me getting hurt.
Crack is a horrible drug. You don’t know
what you’re doing when you’re on it. One
time, I didn’t eat for a whole week straight.
Once I even started seeing pink and purple
elephants flying in the air. I was flipping
out. I couldn’t even talk. My mom thought I
was just high on weed because that’s what
I told her. But I was geeked up on mushrooms and crack. I had to go to the hospital.
My New Friends
I didn’t really change friends, but I started
hanging out with people who were smoking
crack. I did call them my friends, but they
were John’s friends. They were all adults.
It seems many girls my age who survived
similar abuses were abused when they were
younger. Well, I never got abused in my family. In fact, my mom didn’t know what I was
doing until my sister told her. My sister is the
one who got me and John busted. Now I am
kind of happy she did.
I wish that my uncle, who is a cop, would
have taken John to jail. If my sister hadn’t
told them I was doing drugs, I would probably be dead by now. I had overdosed in the
past.
I finally realized when I was at Metro
Regional Youth Detention Center that I was
going to tell the truth about John. I realized
he should be in jail, not me. I ended up in
court because my mom charged me with
unruly conduct. I have 24 charges, including
running away and having drugs on me. The
judge put me in Metro because of that. But
then I realized that John was the bad one,
not me.
So I told my sister and my mom the truth
about John. My mom and my uncle pressed
charges against him. This is not the first time
they had him locked up because of me. Once
we were at an apartment, just me and him,
and the police banged on the door. I was
scared. Then my uncle pulled me by my shirt
and said, “Get your a** in the car right now.”
He told John if he ever saw me again, he had
something coming. He took me home.
But every time John got out of jail, he’d
find me and I’d start smoking with him. My
mom told me there’s a new little girl he’s
hanging out with. I feel bad because it feels
like me a long time ago.
The writer, 15, is a survivor.
*Names were changed to protect privacy.
Hurting because of my
MOM’S CHOICES
“When they told us we were getting split up from
my sister, Terrie, I started crying and cursing. ‘Just
My sisters and I wound up in foster care because clamp down,’ the Resource people told me.”
our mother would not give up her boyfriend
By Name Withheld
VOX Girls Group
M
y sisters and I were in our room
when the police knocked on the
door. Jackie* ran down the stairs to
open the door, and that’s when she saw two
Department of Family and Children Services
people and four police.
The tall, white, blue-eyed officer said, “I’d
like to talk to Marcia Rollins*.”
“She’s not here,” my oldest sister told him.
The officers and DFCS workers just stood
in the front room waiting on our mom. My
sisters and I were mad as Hell — to the point
PAGE 8
where we wanted to run. We were swinging
our fists back and forth. My heart was beating
very fast. “Aw, shawty, they got us f**** up.
They is not about to take us away from our
mommy,” I said.
My mom walked in from the store. The
white police officer asked politely to speak
to her. They went into the other room, but
we could hear what the officer said. He told
her they were taking us away because of no
food, no heat and neglect of education – and
because her boyfriend was still in the house.
The female officer searched us, and I didn’t
know why because we hadn’t done anything
wrong. They said, “Put your hands behind
your back.” I felt very nervous. My heart
started pumping fast. I was crying, and the
sweat from my body was dripping like rain.
I started shaking because I didn’t know what
was going on.
At that point, the police officers tried to
put us in the police cars. We refused. They
put us in handcuffs because they assumed
we were going to run away and told us, “We
can do this the easy way or the hard way.” We
finally got into the car, and they drove us to
the precinct.
My sisters were put into the same cell, but
because they only put two people per cell, I
was alone. We waited for the DFCS people for
so long the police told us that if DFCS didn’t
come, we would be sent to Metro, a regional
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
youth detention center. I felt scared.
I was scared of being somewhere alone. I
would have felt better with my sisters. I was
scared of the people at Metro because I had
never been there before and I didn’t know
what they would be like.
Luckily, about an hour and a half later, the
DFCS people showed up and took us to the
Resource Center, a place where they find
placement for DFCS kids. It looked like a
day care. The building had five rooms, each
with two beds. Boys and girls of all ages were
there — from a newborn to teens. We walked
into the living room, where some kids were
watching TV.
Everyone said “hi” and tried talking to me
www.VoxRox.org
NAMELESS
I learned chat lines can be a dangerous
thing by surviving a very tough lesson.
By Name Withheld
to make sure I didn’t have any diseases. My
mom kept asking me questions, but I didn’t
answer her.
Everything turned out fine with me. I didn’t
have any STDs or other complications from
the ongoing rapes.
I learned that Web chat lines can be a very
dangerous thing. I am very lucky because
most people who get kidnapped and raped
don’t survive. I could have been dead.
VOX Girls Group
W
hen I was in the 8th grade and 14
years old, I was kidnapped and
raped by a 30-year-old male.
Where it all started
One weekend day around noon I had just
woke up when I noticed my mom had already
left for work. I’m always home alone when my
mom’s at work, so I’m used to it. I opened the
front door of my apartment and noticed that
the screen door was unlocked, so I had to find
the key to lock it.
Here We Go Again!
his grandfather would hear me if he didn’t let
me leave. We left and we were heading to the
bus stop. I tried to run but he caught me in an
apartment complex parking lot and started
beating me. He hit me everywhere on my
body with his hands.
His phone had fallen out of his pocket, but
he didn’t know. I grabbed it and called 9-1-1.
I told them my name and tried to tell them
what was happening to me. The man then
grabbed his phone and hung it up. He started
beating me again. The police traced my call
and came to where I was. They told me someone else saw him beating me and also called.
After the doctors got through with me, my
mom took me over to my sister’s house because I wanted to see her and my niece and
nephew. That morning, my probation officer
called and told my mom that she wanted me
to go to the Juvenile Justice Center, so I could
go to Metro Regional Youth Detention Center
for court.
I was clueless because I didn’t know why
I was going to court. My probation officer
thought I ran away, even though I really was
kidnapped.
The reason she thought that was because
I have a history of running away. I tried other
times, but usually came home on my own.
One time though she came and found me. I
wanted to leave home because I didn’t want
to listen to anyone or follow rules.
My sister told me I was going to Metro and
I was like “Wow! What for?! ? That’s crazy.” I
didn’t understand what I had done to have to
go there.
My dad came to pick me up from my
sister’s house, and he dropped me off at the
Juvenile Justice Center. I sat down there in
a cell for awhile, then the police took me to
Metro. I was thinking: Why am I going to jail
when I didn’t do anything?
Rescue Me!
Angela’s House
I was sitting on the brick wall waiting for
the police when they showed up. The man
told me I could stay there if I wanted to, but
then said, “they aren’t going to believe you.”
The man went down to the banister of the
apartments where we were. He saw the police
coming toward him, so he ran.
The police put me in the car and got some
information from me about the situation. The
police were asking me all types of questions
like my name, my address, age, date of birth,
mothers name, etc. The police had me thinking that I was in trouble.
The police tried to find the man, but he
had disappeared. The police transported me
to the hospital where my mom was waiting,
and the doctors did a rape kit. They had to
put these weird objects inside of my vagina
When I first got to Metro I was on white
card then I worked my way up to gold card.
When you first go to jail, you start on white
card. It’s called a level system. In this system
you earn privileges. Before I got on gold card
I had got into a fight with a girl because my
friend and I were playing, and my friend
pushed me on her by accident and the girl got
mad. After that one thing led to another.
Anyway, I made it to gold card, and I started getting more privileges. I was very happy
to leave Metro RYDC because you can’t do
anything there. I think Metro is a lockdown
facility. I am very happy to be at Angela’s
House because I get more freedom.
The trouble begins
I went to the back room of my apartment to
get the key, and when I returned to the front
room a strange man was standing in my living
room. I didn’t know who he was, so I ran and
started screaming. I ran to my mom’s room
but I forgot that she was at work. He came behind me: “Give me your money!” he shouted.
He told me that if I didn’t go with him he
would kill me and my mother. He didn’t have
a weapon, but he was holding me so I couldn’t
get away. We left and he didn’t let me take
anything with me.
The Take Off
We walked to the nearest train station,
which was down the street from my apartment, and he was telling me to act normal or
else he would hurt me very bad. Somehow, he
knew my name. I was crying and very scared.
He took me to a hotel in an area that I
recognized because I had been there before,
but don’t remember when. I was raped by him
every day for over a month.
Guess who?
I realized when I was there that I had met
him awhile ago on a dating chat room on the
Internet, but never in person. I realized this
because when I first started talking to him online his girlfriend found out and told me his
real name, but I didn’t believe what she said
about him.
When I was at the hotel I took his wallet out
of his pants when he wasn’t paying attention
and got his social security card. On the card
was the same name his girlfriend had given
me a while back. Though I didn’t tell him
where I lived, he found my address. How he
found out my address is still a mystery.
Long days and cold nights!
For the time I was with him, if he went
somewhere he would take me with him.
and my sisters. A man came and said he
would find a placement for us. We went
straight to dinner in a small room. In
line to get our food, other kids were talking to me and my sisters about why they
were taken away from their families.
They were crying.
The next day, we watched TV until we
were taken to a group home called Elks
(Elks Aidmore Children’s Home), a longterm placement home for DFCS girls.
It was big and crowded. I thought there
were too many girls looking at each
other with bad attitudes. They were
staring and I didn’t think they looked
friendly. My sisters and I decided not to
stay there. The staff asked us questions,
like our names and what we like to do. “I
run track,” I told them. “I like to shop, go
out to eat.” I had an attitude, and they
could pick up on it.
“It would be best if you leave,” they
told us.
I told them we did not want to be split
up.
www.VoxRox.org
Photo by VOX GIRLS GROUP
We went everywhere together — like to the
store, to get something to eat and to pay for
the hotel. We didn’t speak to each other very
much. Every time I would try to escape, he
would beat me. I was so scared. I would try to
run out the door while he was a sleep or in the
bathroom. I even tried to run while walking to
the store. He would strike me with his hands
and threaten to kill me.
Surviving ...
He fed me everyday. I ate fast food like,
everyday. Sometimes when I made him mad
he would threaten not to feed me. One day
he took me to my house to get my clothes
because I told him my mom was at work, but I
really didn’t know.
I went in my house, and my mom’s boyfriend was in the house asleep on the couch.
I went to my room and got my clothes while
the male was waiting on me. I walked back
out of the house, and my mom’s boyfriend
saw me and the male walking. My mom’s
boyfriend started chasing the male I was with,
and I continued to walk to the train station.
I was about to go to my mom’s job, but the
male caught up with me. He took me back to
the hotel and raped me over and over again.
The Trouble Ends for Now
One night he took me over to his grandfather’s house. His grandfather didn’t know I
was there, but we spent the night. That morning I told him that I was going to scream so
We were taken back to the Resource
Center and then were split up anyway.
Jackie and I were sent together to Restoration Ministry Group Home, while
Terri* was in another city in a foster
home. I felt very depressed. When they
told us we were getting split up from my
sister, Terri, I started crying and cursing.
“Just clamp down,” the Resource people
told me. Terri walked out to go to her
placement. We were crying — me and
my sister Jackie. Terri walked back in
and hugged us.
“C’mon, we’re taking you,” the Resource people told me and Jackie. We
got in a white van and they took us to
our new placement. We didn’t want to
go, but we stopped complaining so they
wouldn’t separate us.
Months later, on Feb. 17, a DFCS
worker took me and my sisters to court.
I was happy and sad to see my sister
— it was very emotional. We prayed.
The judge finally said I could go
home with my mom — but there was
a catch: My mom had to call the DFCS
worker and tell her that her boyfriend
was gone.
I went back to my group home, happily, to pack my things. I thought I was
going home!
I had been feeling so worthless while
in foster care because my mom wasn’t
trying to get us back. I was depressed.
I started cutting on myself. I thought
about suicide. You feel like you’re nothing — like you have nobody in life.
I ran away to my mom’s house
because I love her so much, there’s
nothing she could do that would keep
me away. She’s my mom — she’s what
I have. But now it’s been almost a year,
and she never called to say that her
boyfriend was gone.
The writer, 16, is now living with a family member out of state.
* Names were changed to protect
privacy.
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
The writer, 14, is a survivor, and is happy to be
at Angela’s House.
Searching for a family
I see one child who is searching
For a family that can love, care and respect her.
Some people may think why
Is it so important for a child
To have all those things?
Because a child wants somebody
To love them, to care for them,
And not only that
But also to respect them.
These words all mean something important.
A child needs a mother and a father
If they are not around
Then a child at least needs someone
Please listen to my words
And realize that every child
In this world needs love
Even me
By Jessica, VOX Girls Group
PAGE 9
These Girls Could Be My
SISTERS
By Yasmin Miller
VOX Staff
N
T
ine months ago if someone had
ever brought up the term prostitute,
the image that would have come to
mind was one of a woman, being used by
men to get a cheap sexual thrill.
he same would go for prostitution.
In my head was the picture of a
strung-out older woman who walked
up and down the sidewalks of some shady
side of town selling her body to support
a drug habit or a “pimp” who she realized
was using her.
I really believed that prostitution and
the other forms of sexual exploitation only
happened to people who had somehow
asked to be put in these situations. I had
pictured someone who was indifferent and
untrusting to everyone and everything.
Subconsciously, I think I was so afraid of
the taboo subject and the people who were
a part of it that I tried to create a barrier
between myself and the problem without
even being aware of its intricacies.
But an image that I never would have
thought of would have been a regular girl
around my age, 16, forgotten and innocent. Yet this is exactly what I discovered
when I met and worked with the girls of
Angela’s House, a safe house for teenage
girls who have been sexually exploited.
Getting Ready for the Truth
First I participated in a learning workshop to prepare for our writing workshop
with girls living at Angela’s House. LaKendra Baker, former project manager
for the Center to End Adolescent Sexual
Exploitation, had us listen to demeaning,
yet popular songs about women, and then
made us truly think about what the lyrics
meant.
She told us about the realities of the
world of sexual exploitation for young
girls — how the girls were preyed on, how
they so often fell into the world of prostitution and exploitation in very mundane
and very scary ways. Baker told us that
the problem, though frighteningly silent,
was huge, so huge in fact that Atlanta is
considered one of the top U.S. cities for
the sexual exploitation of children.
I learned that every day in Atlanta and
many other U.S. cities, girls as young as 7
are being sold in person and via the Internet. Evidently there are many men (and
even some women) who prefer those who
are younger because they think kids and
teenagers are “cleaner” or more “innocent.” By the time Baker left the office, my
head was pounding.
I couldn’t seem to wrap my head around
all that I had learned, and the fact that I
hadn’t even started on this Girls’ Group
project made me dread that eventually we
would have to go and begin the workshop.
We had been introduced to the realities
of child sexual exploitation only a week
before we started working with girls.
In the days following, all the way up until the day when we first drove to Angela’s
House, I seriously considered calling VOX
and saying I just couldn’t handle it.
Meeting the Girls
The first day to meet the girls at Angela’s
House came too quickly, and I found
myself sitting in the backseat of Rachel’s
(our adult supporter) van with my fellow
volunteers Keosha and Marjon — and the
three of us were uncharacteristically quiet.
Rachel was constantly reassuring us,
telling us that we would do fine. But no
matter how encouraging her words were, I
was nervous anyway.
PAGE 10
“We looked at life
from the same points
of view; we giggled at
the same jokes.”
Walking up to the large, pretty house,
my anxiety was almost too much to bear.
Keosha made some small offhand comment, I can’t even remember what it was,
and we all broke into nervous titters.
It was Rachel who rang the doorbell as
Keosha, Marjon and I all looked anywhere
but at the door. But when it opened, I was
surprised to find a girl around my age,
bright eyed and pretty, who led us into the
living room where three other girls sat on
couches.
Nervously peeking around, I realized
that the girls were looking at us not with
mean, angry faces, but rather that they
looked just as curious as we felt.
We introduced ourselves shyly to one
another. Then Keosha, Marjon and I told
them what we were there for, and we
quickly jumped into the workshop.
This first workshop was sort of a getting-to-know-each-other type of thing,
and I realized something — I had a lot in
common with the girls, not just things like
favorite colors and tastes in music, but
stuff on even more basic levels. We looked
at life from the same points of view; we
giggled at the same jokes.
Like Sisters to Me
There are times when the girls I’ve met
seem like sisters to me. If I can’t find something in them that reminds me of myself
then there’s always something that reminds me of someone else I know. Looking
back I think the reason that I was so afraid
of meeting the girls at Angela’s House had
nothing to do with the girls themselves.
What I was truly scared about was learning
the truth of their situations.
One truth I was surprised about was
that almost everything these girls did to
fall prey to sexual exploitation and wind
up at Angela’s House had been done out of
love. They were almost always exploited by
someone they knew and were close to. A
lot of times it was a boyfriend.
It made me scared to think that the girls’
desire to love someone and in return be
loved — a perfectly normal and human
feeling — had been so twisted and used to
the advantage of the pimps.
After I got to know the girls better, after
I got to love them, this knowledge of how
they were manipulated and abused made
me angry. I kept thinking, Who would do
something like this? The question still
goes unanswered and my anger has not
subsided.
VOX’s Girls Group program taught me
that there’s really no difference from the
girls at Angela’s House (and probably
most other girls who have been sexually
exploited) and myself. When I first heard
about this huge and silent problem, I
thought that the victims were somehow
different than me.
But this is just not the case at all. The
only difference between these girls and me
or other girls is that they found themselves
put into a series of situations that we never
have had the misfortune to experience.
But given different circumstances, it could
easily have happened to us, too.
Yasmin is a junior at Riverside High.
Photo illustration by YASMIN MILLER | VOX STAFF
I took this photo because it sort of reminded me of the girls we’ve met and how they
have been forced to leave behind their childhoods. “I just want to be a kid,” one VOX
Girls Group member said during one of our writing workshops. “I’ve had to do things
that adults do. Things that kids should never have to do. I just want to hang out with
my friends, go to the mall — do regular things that teenagers do.”
- Yasmin
Dear John*,
Do you feel good about yourself and what you are doing to the children of Atlanta? As you abuse them, buy them, and leave them for the next man to use, you go
deeper into a wound that myself and others around the city are trying to stitch up.
Some people see you driving down Peachtree Street and admire your MercedesBenz, but I see the real monster. When you are not looking I see you secretly
sneaking into my neighborhood to abuse my best friend, my sister or maybe the
girl who sits next to me in literature class.
You think you’re a king because you have control for a few hours, but in my
eyes you are an ignorant coward. Do you really think you have the upper hand?
The pain you inflict on innocent girls (and boys) not only hurts them, but also kills
their families and the people who care about them — like me.
What do you get out of raping girls who could be your own daughters? Because
that’s all you’re doing. Every girl is someone’s daughter.
What possesses you to commit murder? Every time you exchange pieces of
your evil soul with these girls you take away parts of their souls.
But don’t worry, in due time you will reap what you sow. The pain you are causing this community will hit you in the head like a million tons of bricks.
Meanwhile, there are many of us who are helping girls learn to rebound from
what you’ve done to them. Many of your victims will become survivors, with more
strength and courage than you can imagine.
Sincerely,
Marjon Wolfe
*John is not just the name of an anonymous person. In this case, it means a person,
specifically a male, who pays to have sex.
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
www.VoxRox.org
NOT ENOUGH JUSTICE
What Happens to the Girls
By Marjon Wolfe
VOX Staff
A
s teenagers, the whole world seems to
revolve around us. Being a teenager
can be an extremely hard job. We have
lots of tests to pass, homework to turn in and
gossip to spread. Most of the time, we have
no worries outside of our usual eight hours
of school and our thousands of text messages
— or least that’s what I thought a year ago.
Recently I have become baffled that hundreds, maybe even thousands — there’s no
way to track the exact numbers — of young,
teenage girls in my backyard are stuck in a
world of tragedy and destruction called child
sexual exploitation. As a Girls Group Intern at
VOX, I have met girls who inspired me to learn
more about the legal side of what they have
been through.
While reading “Child Sexual Abuse,” a compilation of essays written by experts who have
studied the increasing number of sexually
exploited, I learned that child sexual exploitation is using power to abuse a child’s vulnerability and trust for one’s own satisfaction. It
includes child prostitution, child pornography, child molestation and using the Internet
to entice children for sexual acts.
Who the Girls Are
According to Fulton County Juvenile Court
Chief Justice Sanford Jones, within the past
five to six years the city of Atlanta has become
a powerhouse for the sexual exploitation of
minors. Part of it has to do with having such
a major airport and convention business. “A
middle-aged ‘John’ can fly into the city for
‘lunch’ with a 14-year-old girl and fly home
just in time for dinner with his all-American
family,” Judge Jones said.
Girls as young as 10 have become trapped
in this vicious cycle. Most of them don’t
choose to become prostitutes. They are forced
or manipulated to do things they never could
have imagined.
You may wonder how a parent could allow
a 10-year-old daughter to become victims of
such abuse. Sometimes even caring parents
simply lose control of their children, or they
don’t have the ability to stop them, Judge
Jones said. And then, sometimes the parents
or guardians just don’t care.
Before girls are lured or trapped into this
underworld, sometimes they have run away
from home due to neglect or abuse, and many
have been “thrown away.” During a training
workshop I participated in, LaKendra Baker,
Photo illustration by ADIA HARRIS | VOX STAFF
former project manager for the Center to End
Adolescent Sexual Exploitation, that “a child
who has been ‘thrown away’ is a child whose
parents or guardians give up their parental
rights. Oftentimes, the parent calls the Department of Family and Children Services or
they will just tell the child to leave.”
There is not a stereotype for the girls who
get sucked into exploitation. Girls come from
all types of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. But Judge Jones explains that 12 or
so girls who come through the Fulton County
Juvenile Court every month often share some
common traits. “They usually come from
single-parent homes, have been neglected by
their parents and suffer from low self-esteem,”
Judge Jones said.
Luckily, the girls who enter the justice
system are no longer seen as criminals, but
rather as victims. “We recognized that these
girls have been sexually exploited, that they
are not responsible for the crimes committed,” Judge Jones said. “We do our best to give
them help, but often it isn’t enough.”
Layers of Psychological Abuse
The psychological abuse a sexually exploited girl endures is extreme. Her pimp is often a
friend, or anyone who gives her attention and
conversation. Sometimes the pimp will even
start a romantic relationship with her — because he knows she wants to feel loved and
wanted. The pimp then takes the girl to nice
places and buys her jewelry and other gifts.
And then he often has sex with the girls. This
“boyfriend” tells her he loves her, but the reality is he wants to get her used to having sex.
Once this groundwork has been laid, the
pimp will often ask the girl: “How much do
you love me?” He will feed the young girl some
sob stories of how money has run out and
the girl needs to help pay some of the bills.
More often than not, the girl is willing to help
— after all, she is in love. But how can a 14year-old girl help a 25-year-old man pay bills?
Either she can go dance at the Blue Flame or
she can sell herself.
Once she agrees to either scenario, he
promises it will only be one time, but sometimes the abuse lasts months, maybe years.
Sometimes the girls are brainwashed to
believe that what they are doing is OK. Sometimes they just can’t escape.
The girls become mentally and physically
attached to their pimp. I heard this from
CEASE’s Baker — and then I saw it in some
of the girls. While doing some of our writing exercises, often times the girls would get
excited while mentioning the men who hurt
them. Sometimes they didn’t even see the
prostituting as a harmful thing. All of this
manipulation makes escaping the abuse
extremely hard. I have learned that the pimps
can sometimes be called “child psychologists.”
They know which girls to approach, and what
to say to lure them into their dangerous traps.
It’s just as hard to rescue the girls from
this abuse as it is to prosecute the pimps,
Judge Jones said. Often the girls have been so
manipulated that it is impossible for them to
identify their pimps, let alone testify against
them. Other times he or she (yes, there are
also female pimps) will threaten to kill the girl
or her family so she won’t blame the pimp.
CRIMINAL TO VICTIM
By Keosha Morgan
VOX Staff
I
was never one to judge people before I
met them. But in the car on the way to my
first writing workshop with girls who were
victims of prostitution and other forms of
sexual exploitation, I assumed I already knew
what to expect. Everything that I had learned
from movies, seen on television and read
in some books taught me what I needed to
know about girls who were “sexually exploited” — or so I thought.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t
escape the images of a bitter, angry girl selling herself for money — not out of fear, but
simply because she wanted to. At first, in my
mind, they weren’t victims, they were criminals, just another group of spiteful, self-esteemless girls who didn’t ask for my help and,
in my opinion, didn’t need it. If only I knew
then what I know now.
A year ago VOX’s executive director, Rachel,
asked me if I wanted to help lead a workshop
for girls who have been sexually exploited. I
had never heard the two taboo words “sexuwww.VoxRox.org
ally” and “exploited” put together quite that
way, and I was afraid to ask the burning question “What is sexual exploitation?” But before
I could even form the words, Yasmin, a fellow
VOX member who had been given the same
proposition, yelled, “What does that mean?”
“It means that these girls have been sexually abused or have been forced to have sex
for money,” said Rachel matter-of-factly. The
words hung heavy in the air. I’m sure Rachel
was talking about the logistics of the whole
affair, but I was too busy asking myself critical
questions like: How are you forced to have sex
for money? and Why would you ever let something like that happen to you? Despite my
complete ignorance of the matter, I agreed.
And my view of the world has never been the
same.
Months passed and the new school year
began, and I had sort of forgotten about last
year’s promise. Before I could even think
about it, I was in a training seminar to help
prepare me for my workshop and interaction
with the scary, angry, prostituted girls.
Listening to a speaker haul words at me
such as misogyny, anger, desperation, run-
away and throw-away. It’s funny how passion
and words can instill fear. I thought this
training was meant to inform me and make
me feel better about meeting the teenage
prostitutes.
In this workshop we listened to music
about pimps and “hoes” and how their situation was so desperate you couldn’t help them.
Then we sat through horror story after horror
story about girls who ran away from home,
used drugs and had sex for money. I couldn’t
imagine doing things like this in my life, so
these girls must really be hard and cold.
Tension mounted. I felt like I had gotten
myself into something big. There was no way
I was ready to hear the stories of indecency
and vulgarity. The closest I had ever gotten
to anything like this was watching TV and all
those kids depicted on shows were in prison
and extremely violent. I wasn’t a miracle
worker, and I’m not anyone extraordinary,
so, I figured, How could I possibly help?
Walking into the front door of the house
where I’d meet the girls was the scariest
thing I have ever done. I half expected someone to walk up to me and say something
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
Most girls who are found are arrested during police stings or picked up for loitering or
breaking curfew, Judge Jones said. Once girls
are placed in the legal system, the judges try
not to charge them with prostitution because
of the label it leaves with the girls. So instead
of scarring the girls’ minds and criminal records, most of the time they are charged with
something minor, he said.
When judges realize that the girls are not
women — often they have fake IDs or lie
about their ages because that’s what they
pimps teach them to do — they try their best
to hold them at a Metro Regional Youth Detention Center until a safe place is found. It’s
unfortunate that they have to be held in a jail
because there’s nowhere else to place them.
The girls are often helped by CEASE, which
provides case management for their legal and
counseling needs. A group of experts look
at each of their individual cases and decides
what happens to them next. Some girls are
turned back over to their parents or legal
guardians, some are put into foster care and
some are kept at the RYDC.
Up to six at a time can be placed at Angela’s
House, a safe house where sexually exploited
girls receive therapeutic counseling. The girls
identified can stay there up to 180 days, and
there is a waiting list to get in. After their stay,
these girls again face the same decisions of
whether they can go back to their families
or go into foster care. If the girls violate their
probation, they are sent back to the RYDC.
No Fairy Tale Ending
Growing up as a child, we read fairy tales
that always end happily ever after. But these
girls get enticed into a fake fairy tale, believing
they will live a Cinderella life. Unfortunately,
this never happens.
As a community, we have yet to face the fact
that child sexual exploitation is our problem,
too. We should not turn our backs on these
girls because we have been trained to think
they are criminals. Our state legislature should
invest more money for treatment for the girls.
Our police officers should also have more
training to help them identify pimps and help
support the girls. Until we all come together
to realize that we’re not doing enough, sexual
exploitation of these innocent kids in Atlanta
will continue to flourish.
Marjon is a sophomore at Riverdale High
School. Working with the girls at Angela’s
House has been a life-altering experience.
rude, slap me or offer me drugs. Of course,
none of those things happened.
I walked into the living room and was
finally face to face with the “hardened criminals.” The girls I had been so afraid of looked
nothing like I expected. Most of them wore
pajama bottoms and big T-shirts with the
names of middle schools scrawled across
them. They sat on the couch looking at their
feet in dead silence. Then one girl looked up
and smiled. Her smile was the most reassuring thing that I have ever seen — it told me
that she was just as afraid as I was. But she
had more of a reason than I did. Someone
she had trusted did something unimaginable to her, and now four strangers were
waltzing into her living room expecting her
trust. Finally, my feeling of fear turned into
sadness. I was ashamed for the way I had
viewed the girls and sad that other people
believe the way that I did.
Hearing their stories of struggle and
tribulation now scare me in a different way.
Thoughts that originally said, Why would
you ever let something like that happen to
you? now said, Why would you ever do that
to somebody? And now the look in the girls’
eyes that would probably say “criminal” to
some people now says “survivor” to me.
Keosha, 18, is a senior at Mays High.
PAGE 11
Shhh! The Hush List:
Words Not to Say About Women
The following is a selection of words that many of us
use every day, ones we use without thinking about what
they really mean, that are misogynistic — or demeaning
to women. We should all take the time to find out what
they really mean, so next time we can catch ourselves
before we hurt someone unintentionally.
BITCH
Webster: The female of the dog, wolf, fox, etc.
Misogynistic Slang: A woman regarded as malicious,
bad-tempered, or aggressive; a term of contempt.
BLOCKHEAD
Webster: A stupid person.
Misogynistic Slang: A person who gives oral sex to
everyone on the block.
Photo illustration by CHANTAI P. MEADOWS and MACKENZIE MORGAN | VOX STAFF
Words Can Hurt
By Carlyle Manns
VOX Staff
S
ticks and stones may break my
bones, but words bring down
my soul. Yeah, I know the real
ending is: “Words will never hurt
me.” But I know from experience
this is not true.
But how do words hurt? They
break a spirit. When I was a child
words were often used to terrorize
me. Other kids said I was too slow,
too dumb, too ugly or anything else
that was unacceptable.
Nothing’s changed. Now that the
kids have grown into teenagers, the
words are even more cruel. However, I’m strong and mature enough
now that I know how to walk away.
But name-calling doesn’t stop
with me. For example, even now I
see fathers calling their daughters
“whores,” and I know girls who have
cried because they thought that being called a whore meant that they
were, in fact, a prostitute.
Of course, we all know the true
meaning of all these words. However, because they are sugar-coated in
music, TV and movies no one wants
to recognize the truth: These words
demoralize and dehumanize us. (For
examples, see “Shhh! The Hush List.”)
We teens use derogatory language
for many reasons. Most commonly
it’s because most of us don’t think
about what we’re saying. We don’t
believe the words to be hurtful.
There is a serious problem in
society when a stain in vocabulary
is encouraged and not cleaned. De-
spite how a word’s meaning is lost in
sugar coating, or used by the latest
rap star, the words’ meanings don’t
change.
You cannot call someone a pimp
— a person who sells women’s bodies for money — and mean it in a
good way. When you call someone a
heifer, even if you don’t mean it seriously, you are still calling her a cow,
something less than human.
What I don’t understand is how
people can just laugh it off, like
these words don’t or should no
longer sting. Even though we have
made our minds immune and our
hearts numb, when we wake up
from this linguistic nightmare where
will be?
Carlyle, 18, is a senior at Mays High.
The Meaning Has Been Lost
By Adia Harris
VOX Staff
“T
his party better be off
da chain cuz, and deez
hoes betta be jukin,”
said some random boy smiling and
waving at a group of females as he
entered a party I recently attended.
All the girls giggled at his charm, so
distracted that his choice of words
went completely unnoticed — except for by me.
We have allowed what used to be
considered derogatory words toward
females to become socially acceptable in certain circles. Looking
around my peers, I see expletives
like “hoe” and “bitch” are no longer
worth a slap in the face, but merely
a general way for guys to address the
estrogen-filled bodies around them.
I can’t help but wonder if a line is
being seriously crossed. (See “Shhh!
The Hush List” at right.)
The funny thing is I can’t remember when saying such offensive
things became acceptable; one day
it just was. These put-downs became
the new vernacular, even for girls to
say amongst ourselves. If you call
yourself the “baddest bitch” it signifies that you don’t put up with any
crap and deserve to be respected,
you’re the dominant female. I don’t
PAGE 12
Photo by RAISA HABERSHAM | VOX STAFF
Offensive words are so commonplace
now that they can be found on T-shirts,
key chains and bumper stickers.
know how that particular meaning
was derived, but somehow, that’s
what it means today.
My guy friends and even my
brother speak of girls by using the
word “hoe” with regularity, and
they respond with an impatient
“You know what I mean” whenever
they’re questioned about it.
In a way, I do know what they
mean. I can’t sense any disrespect
in their tone, and I rarely sense any
emotion in their voices at all when
they say the word “hoe.” And that’s
what I think worries me most.
I am starting to believe that the
disconnect between the usage and
the meaning of derogatory words
brings about certain ignorance to
those who use and accept them.
Therefore, guys continue to say
them and girls continue to listen
and dance to them mindlessly.
When I go to parties and watch
girls dance to misogynistic lyrics,
the saying “a person is smart, but
people are stupid” comes to mind.
As a group it is so easy to conform to
the way things are. We think, If it’s so
bad, then why does it seem everyone
is having a good time?
Like underage smoking or drinking, it’s at the point where if the
people involved are having fun, they
believe that what’s going on really
isn’t all that bad. They think it’s all
just part of that defiance that comes
with being young.
Don’t get me wrong, like the
majority of teens I’m all for having
fun, and at times even the trouble
that comes with it. But I believe one
must be aware of what troubles can
arise. These words that we throw
at each other, especially toward
females, do have an impact. And it
can be a devastating one.
We need to stop using such language so casually before even worse
things like violence also become
matter of fact and acceptable in our
day-to-day existences.
Adia is a senior at Chamblee High.
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
CHICKENHEAD
Literal: The head of a chicken.
Misogynistic Slang: Usually a female, who likes to give
oral sex. The term chickenhead comes from the bobbing
of the head like a chicken while performing oral sex.
CUNT
Webster: The vulva or vagina.
Misogynistic Slang: Equating a woman’s worth with
her sexual organs.
GOLD DIGGER
Webster: A woman who in her personal relations with
men tries to get money and gifts from them.
Misogynistic Slang: A woman who will sleep with
whomever she can to get the material things she wants.
HEIFER
Webster: A young cow that has not borne a calf.
Misogynistic Slang: A term used to demean a heavy
woman by equating her with a cow.
HOE
Webster: A long-handled implement having a thin flat
blade used to break up the surface of the ground.
Misogynistic Slang: A shortened term for whore; also
a promiscuous woman.
HUSSY
Webster: A lewd or brazen woman.
Misogynistic Slang: Another word for prostitute.
PIMP
Webster: A man who is an agent for a prostitute or
prostitutes and lives off of their earnings.
Misogynistic Slang: A term used to praise a young man
for the quantity or quality of his sexual conquests.
SKANK[Y]
Webster: Sleazy, offensive, disreputable, etc. in
appearance or character.
Misogynistic Slang: Woman who is so ugly that she
throws herself at men and offers them sex.
SKEEZER
Misogynistic Slang: A woman with low morals and
poor hygiene (derived from “Skeezy,” a variant of the
word “Skeevy,” meaning filthy or stained with fecal
matter, urine and/or semen).
SLUT
Webster: A careless, dirty, slovenly woman
Misogynistic Slang: A woman who engages in sexual
activity with a large number of persons; in some
cases, used to refer to a woman who is wearing
“skimpy” or tasteless clothing.
TRAMP
Webster: To travel around on foot like a vagabond or
hobo (a person who lives by begging or doing odd jobs)
Misogynistic Slang: A woman who “begs” for sex.
WHORE
Webster: Another word for prostitute.
Misogynistic Slang: A woman who sleeps around,
sometimes to gain material things; also, people who are
willing to sell out their values for a short-term gain.
Compiled by Breanna McDaniel / VOX Staff
www.VoxRox.org
“Born Into Brothels”
Reveals Another World of Sexual Exploitation
By Isha Mitra
VOX Staff
M
eet Kochi, a girl living on the
streets of Calcutta, India. Shy but
sweet, she hangs out and plays
games with her friends and can usually
be seen with a tentative smile on her face.
Yet unfortunately, Kochi was born into
poverty. Her own father tried to sell her
as a sex slave, and after he died, Kochi’s
mother attempted suicide and could no
longer take care of her. So now, Kochi
lives with her grandmother and must
wake up every morning at 4 a.m. to help
her grandmother clean houses and earn
just enough money for food.
She is only 10 years old.
Kochi is just one of the many girls
and boys who share their stories in the
groundbreaking documentary, “Born Into
Brothels.” Two filmmakers, Zana Briski
and Ross Kauffman, worked with kids
in the slums of Calcutta and decided to
learn more about their lives by teaching
them photography. This idea might seem
trivial, but it holds unexpected rewards
for the children as well as for the viewers
who witness their lives.
I’ll admit that the only reason I saw this
documentary was because my parents
forced me to. They decided it was a good
idea for me to watch a movie that shows
a completely different side of Calcutta,
the city where all my family lives. Before
seeing “Born Into Brothels,” I had a small,
but working knowledge of human rights
abuses and poverty and all that, but like
most of my friends, I was far away from
it. Even when I’m in Calcutta, I’m sheltered and only see the poverty on the
streets through the tinted windows of my
grandmother’s car.
Then I saw this movie. Rather than
just spitting out statistics that are easily
forgettable, “Born Into Brothels” examines poverty and the problems it spawns
— including prostitution and other forms
of abuse and exploitation — head on.
With heart-wrenching statements from
kids such as, “If I had a little money and
an education I wonder what I would
become,” I realized that the only mistake
these children made was to be born poor.
Some, like Suchitra, a 14-year-old girl,
are scared they might not escape the
thriving sex industry that their mothers
and grandmothers were forced into.
We see that the boys also have their
own stories to share as we hear about
Avijeet’s mother who was burned alive by
her pimp. And now this 11-year-old boy
has to take care of himself and his sister
because his father is addicted to drugs.
But even within this dark and dismal
atmosphere, we see a glimmer of hope
as the children’s mentor, Zana Briski,
fights against the surroundings and even
unsupportive families in order to give
kids a better education and create more
possibilities for them. And the children,
thankful for even the smallest opportunities, enthusiastically immerse themselves
into photography. Suchitra expresses her
newfound passion by saying, “When I
have a camera in my hands I feel happy. I
feel like I am learning something ... I can
be someone.” Photography helps these
kids find happiness and develop their
strengths.
As a documentary, “Born into Brothels” doesn’t gloss over facts or reality.
There are scenes of strong language and
some references to prostitution and drug
abuse. In other words, it doesn’t try to
create false hope or cheer where it doesn’t
belong. But don’t let that or the R rating
keep you from seeing one of the most
important documentaries this decade.
“Born into Brothels” displayed a world
that I couldn’t even imagine, and I hope
that in the future, I will venture out of my
little bubble of comfort and learn more
about others and perhaps do something
to help those who need it.
Thought Calcutta is several thousand
miles away, kids there and kids here in
metro Atlanta are exploited in similar
ways, ways that defy stereotypes, ways
that are hard to imagine until you see it
through their eyes.
I recommend seeing “Born Into Brothels” to arouse your emotions, to witness
a realistic portrayal of the impact poverty
and exploitation has on children’s lives,
and open your mind to issues that are
shared by children around the world.
After watching the movie and reading
the personal accounts in this issue of
VOX, you might decide you want to help
in some way. You can start small and get
involved in the community. There are
several organizations listed throughout
this issue that would gladly welcome your
help. You’d be surprised how far a small
act of kindness can go.
Isha is a sophomore at The Westminster
School.
FACE THE MUSIC
Songs That Shouldn’t and
Should Be Played at Prom
➤ CEASE: Provides legal advocacy
services for teenage girls identified in
juvenile court proceedings as being victims
of sexual exploitation. They also provide
trainings for other groups about sexual
exploitation and gender-based programs
for youth. Call 404-224-4549 or visit www.
juvenilejusticefund.org.
➤ DeKalb Rape Crisis Center: Works with
individual survivors, hosts groups, and
offers educational programs. Crisis Line:
404-377-1428 (24 hours a day); Office:
404-377-1429 (9 to 5 Monday to Friday).
➤ Georgia Network to End Sexual
Assault: Offers info geared toward teens,
including how to find on rape crisis centers
all around the state. Call 404-815-5261 or
866-354-3672, or check out www.gnesa.
org/info_for/teens.html.
➤ Juvenile Justice Fund: Provides
resources to improve the lives and
strengthen the families and youth served
by the Fulton County Juvenile Court. One of
their programs is CEASE (mentioned in this
guide). Call 404.224.4415 or visit www.
juvenilejusticefund.org.
➤ Men Stopping Violence: Is a socialchange organization dedicated to
ending men’s violence against women.
Call 404-270-9894 or visit www.
menstoppingviolence.org.
➤ Raksha: Provides confidential support
services, education and advocacy to
promote a stronger and healthier South
Asian community. Raksha works with
women and their children from Southeast
Asian countries who suffer from family
violence and divorce. Call 404-876-0670
or visit www.raksha.org.
➤ Tapestri: Helps immigrant and refugee
families affected by domestic violence,
sexual assault and exploitation. They work
with other ethnic organizations to address
multiple forms of gender-based violence
and oppression in refugee and immigrant
communities. Call (404) 299-2185 or visit
www.tapestri.org for info and links to nine
other organizations.
➤ Chooserespect.org, www.
Photo illustration by
BARRY LANGER | VOX STAFF
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
www.VoxRox.org
of services that include a structured selfhelp residential program for young ladies
between the ages of 14 and 17. Call 404688-1002 for more information.
WEB SITES:
Do Play List
12.
➤ Alternate Life Paths: Provides a slew
a residential program for young males
between the ages of 16 and 21 who have
run away from home, are “troubled” or
“truant.” They also have an outreach
program for youth ages 6-16, Call 404792-7616 or visit www.yagc.net.
Don’t Play List
3.
4.
5.
6
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
To get help for yourself or a friend who may
be suffering from dating violence, sexual
abuse or exploitation — or to volunteer
to make a difference in this problem and
strengthen our community:
➤ Youth Adult Guidance Center:Has
When you hear the opening notes of Project Pat’s song “Chickenhead” spun
by the DJ at prom, don’t jump up like everybody else and start doing flapping your wings and doing that funky little dance. “Chickenhead” is not some
modern variation of the “Chicken Dance.” It’s a derogatory song that calls
out girls who perform oral sex. Here are 11 more songs that you shouldn’t
play or dance to at prom because they’re sexually exploitative, as well as 12
others that are A-OK to play instead:
“Chicken Head” – by Project Pat
“Make It Rain” (Remix)—By Fat Joe feat. T.I., R. Kelly,
Rick Ross, Lil’ Wayne, and Baby
“I Wanna F*** You” – by T-Pain feat. Snoop Dogg
“Moneymaker”- by Ludacris feat. Pharrell
“Get Loose” – by T.I.
“Smack a B**** Up”-- by 8 Ball and MJG
“The Whisper Song” – by The Ying Yang Twins
“Promiscuous Girl” – by Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland
“Get You Wet” – by Plies feat. Pleasure (of Pretty Ricky)
“Crazy B****” – by Buckcherry
“Piss on You” -- Dave Chappelle’s spin off of
R. Kelly’s “Feelin’ On Yo Booty”
“ Back That Azz Up” – by Juvenile feat. Lil’ Wayne
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
HELP RESOURCES
“Ice Box” – by Omarion
“You” – by Lloyd feat. Lil’ Wayne
“Me and You” – by Cassie
“Please Don’t Go” -- by Tank
“Hot Boyz” – by Fantasia feat. Big Boi
“Like A Boy” -- by Ciara
“Poppin” – by Chris Brown feat. Lil’ Wayne
“Fergalicious” – by Fergie
“My Love” – by Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland and T.I.
“Last Night” – by Diddy feat. Keyshia Cole
“2 Step”—by Unk
“Lost Without You” – by Robin Thicke
chooserespect.org: The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention reports
that one in 11 teens reports being a victim
of physical dating violence. (And those are
just the teens who report the violence).
This Web site gives articles and resources
for teens and parents.
➤ Promote the Truth.org, www.
promotetruth.org: A Web site that
addresses sexual violence issues for
teenagers and their families.
HOTLINES
➤ Haven: 1-800-33-HAVEN, 1-800-334-
2836: Call to find your nearest domestic
violence program or shelter in your area.
English language only.
➤ Women’s Resource Center to End
Domestic Violence, 404-688-9436: Call
for help with dating violence.
Complied by VOX Staff
Compiled by Raisa Habersham and VOX Staff
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
PAGE 13
QUICK FACTS
Here are a few facts for you about
sexual exploitation:
➤ The top four U.S. cities for
sexual exploitation are: Atlanta,
Tampa, Miami, and the capital
Washington, D.C.
➤ 300,000 to 400,000 U.S.
children are believed to be at-risk
for sexual exploitation.
➤ The national average age of
child prostitutes is between 10-14
years old.
➤ 9 out of 10 sexual attacks
were committed by someone the
victim knew.
➤ Some 1.2 million children are
trafficked worldwide every year.
Complied by VOX Staff
Political Cartoon by RICKY RILEY | VOX STAFF
Information from the FBI, UNICEF
and the Center for Sex Offender
Management the Office of Justice
Programs, U.S. Department of Justice
How Men Can Stop the Violence
By Keosha Morgan
VOX Staff
HOW TO STEP UP &
BE A REAL MAN
M
any people who think about sexual
exploitation only see it from the
victims’ point of view. However, we
can’t forget that men play an important role
in sexual exploitation and abuse — and not
just as pimps and sex solicitors.
John Tramel, an instructor/trainer at
Men Stopping Violence, an Atlanta-based
organization that counsels men, recently
came to VOX to talk to us about how men
can help put an end to the cycle of violence
against women.
Other resources for young men who
want to reduce violence, including
violence against women and girls:
➤ Men Stopping Violence: This
local group has published brochures
called “What Men Can Say and Do to
Make a Difference” and a “Batterers
Intervention Program.” They also train
professionals, educate the public,
host mentor interns and ally with other
organizations. Call 404-270-9894 or
visit www.menstoppingviolence.org.
VOX: How does it make you feel knowing
how men abuse women?
➤ Check N’ Game: A program of the
TRAMEL: It makes me both angry and
afraid. There are many reasons why men
act out against women, but none of them
are justified. Men take what they’ve learned
from society and media — that men should
be strong and unemotional — and sometimes they’re not able to communicate
what they’re feeling and instead turn to
violence.
At Men Stopping Violence, we try to
teach these men that violence is never the
answer. And we also teach other men how
they can help prevent such things as battering and emotional abuse when they see
others do it.
Illustration by KEOSHA MORGAN | VOX STAFF
sive. They believe that showing emotion is a
weakness, and as a man you must be strong
and dominant.
VOX: What made you want to join Men
Stopping Violence?
TRAMEL: How can we fix this? What
situation could he possibly be in? Why is
he abusing women? Does he know the
true meaning of being a man? How can we
change his definition of being a man?
TRAMEL: I begin working around poverty. I saw so many problems — mainly
gender problems — that are effects of
poverty. At that time, I thought it wasn’t a
problem.
However I realized that these issues with
gender would not go away on their own.
I decided to work with this organization
to put an end to negative interactions
between genders. I realized that I needed
to help others push away from these problems.
VOX: Why do you think they feel so powered to abuse women?
VOX: Do you think these men who have
abused women can redeem themselves?
TRAMEL: These men feel empowered
to abuse women because they believe that
men are supposed to be strong and aggres-
TRAMEL: I believe if they are serious,
it becomes their responsibility to stop
abusing women. If an abusive male works
VOX: What goes through your mind as
you meet these abusive men?
PAGE 14
hard, he can change if he truly desires to.
According to Tramel, there are many
ways that young men can help prevent
dating violence, domestic violence, and
exploitation — and avoid becoming a part
of the cycle:
➤ Find an outlet for pent-up aggression.
Things like sports and other hobbies gives
men something to do to take your mind off
of the anger, frustration and sadness you
feel, Tramel said.
➤ Try to communicate your feelings
with women rather than act out physically.
Many men find it hard to communicate
their emotions because of years of being told that “men don’t cry,” Tramel said.
However, opening up to your girlfriend
or anyone else you trust cannot only
help break the cycle of violence, but also
deepen and strengthen your relationships.
➤ Be careful with your language.
Though it may not seem like it, calling a
woman names like “bitch,” “whore” or
“slut” can cause emotional scarring and
contributes to society’s acceptance of
these words in casual, even friendly con-
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
Jean Childs Young Center for Youth
Leadership started by high school
males, works on ways to reduce
community violence. Call 404-5277426 for more information.
Complied by VOX Staff
versation, he said.
➤ Call others out when you see them
abusing. Just sitting by and watching violence happen can be just as bad as being
violent, Tramel said. If you see someone
being abusive, step up and tell him what
he’s doing is wrong. Take him aside and
talk about alternatives to violence, and
give him an outlet where he can get help.
➤ Men Stopping Violence offers a 24week program for men who believe they
have a problem using abusive behavior
against women and want to change. For
more information please see the resource
box above.
To be a crusader against violence, boys,
don’t be afraid to talk about the issues. You
need to make a real stand to generate a
real and positive change.
Keosha, 18, is a senior at Mays High. Jonathan Rodriguez, a fellow VOX staff member,
also helped conduct the interview.
www.VoxRox.org
Sex
Don’t Let
Rule Your Romance
By Chantai P. Meadows
VOX Staff
I
magine: You’re snuggled with your
sweetie, kissing and hugging passionately on a warm spring night. Even
though you and your “boo” agreed that
rounding second would be as far as you
guys would go, for some reason you’re
circling third and getting nervous. You want
to stop, you want to slow things down to
a screeching halt, but can’t muster up the
courage to tell your “love” to put on the
brakes. If you can’t say “no” in your relationship, you, my darling, may be in a relationship where sex rules.
You’re probably thinking, OK, that’s a bit
extreme, but really it’s not. If sex means that
much to you or your partner, then something’s wrong. Hello, my name is Chantai,
and my past boyfriends have tried to use to
sex to rule our relationships.
Sex as a Weapon
Sex is clearly a force to be reckoned
with in today’s society. Yeah, sex is a fun
and exciting release (or so I’ve heard), but
it can also act as a tool of destruction for
teens in relationships driven by hormones.
Experience has shown me that in the wrong
hands, s-e-x can spell disaster for lusty lovers with sinister motives in no time.
From what I’ve seen and experienced,
sex can mean a lot of different things for
teens, depending on why you’re doing “it.”
For instance, if you’re in a good relationship
with someone you care for deeply, or dare I
say love, safe sex can be a logical next step
for some people.
For me, the journey to my decision to not
have sex (at least for the moment) has been
www.VoxRox.org
long and confusterating (confusing + frustrating). What has kept me a virgin this long
has been my luck to continuously run into
perverse guys who have one thing on their
minds. Obviously, guys in my past have all
attempted to wield what was otherwise a
good relationship into an obligation to have
sex. Creative and varied as their respective
attempts may have been, all have failed,
ultimately ruining a good thing. Many men
seem to think its acceptable to trade diamonds and gold for goodies, and I’m here
to tell you why they’re wrong.
First of all, I think exchanging material
things (money, gifts, etc.) for sex is disgusting. Second of all, relationships are not
about sex. A relationship is supposed to be
a connection shared between two people
based on common interests, goals and
emotions, not the inherent desire to sex
each other up and down. Because of these
truths, sex has to be a mutual decision.
Now that we’ve got how having sex should
happen in a relationship, let’s get to down
to the reality of it.
Don’t Be Manipulated
From personal experience and acting as
the shoulder to cry on many a night, I’ve
learned that many teens go about introducing sex into a relationship in the absolute
wrong way. Many guys use the following
strategies to try to GTD (get those draws)
— and thus manipulate girls into doing
something they don’t want to do:
➤ Use the “L” word. This, of course, is kind
of clever for the simple fact that young ladies
are emotional beings who usually fall quick
and deep. We’ve all heard the lines before: “If
you loved me, you would give it up,” and “If
you really love me, why you trippin’?”
➤ Sell a dream. This means leading
Photo illustration by LAUREN PHILLIPS AND SHABAAKA SMALLS | VOX STAFF
“Many men seem to think its acceptable to
trade diamonds and gold for goodies, and I’m
here to tell you why they’re wrong.”
someone to think she will be guaranteed an
ideal future if she gives you something, and
in this case that something is sex. I personally know many chicks who gave up their
goodies for everything from a promising
future to one sick Louis Vitton purse.
Sadly, guys aren’t the only ones who use
sex against their partners. It’s all very simple; guys use things to get sex, and girls use
sex to get things (in some cases the inverse
is also true). Get it? Got it? Good. Some
young women have become very good at
using this tactic against their beaus. From
what I can gather, it usually works very well
because guys are horny and willing to do
whatever to get the goods. If you’re a guy
and you think you’re being used, why not
try to stop it?
Face the Facts and Wise Up
So, sex happens. A lot among teens — 70
percent of teens by age 19 have had sex,
according to the Guttmacher Institute. Hey,
it’s your prerogative. But guess what also
happens? STDs happen (approximately 25
percent of teens have been infected by an
sexually transmitted disease, according to
Guttmacher). Pregnancies happen (about
750,000 annually among girls ages 15 to 19,
also according to the Guttmacher). Emotional damage happens — several reports
indicate that of sexually active teens are
more likely to be depressed. And as we’ve
learned in the preceding stories, sexual
exploitation happens.
So, to be sure that sex isn’t being used as
a weapon in your relationship, remember
the following:
➤ Don’t be stupid. Sounds simple, but it
can be so tough when faced with temptation. Whenever I find that I’m in a steamy
situation, I try to look at things with a
discerning eye. You’ve heard of WWJD
(What Would Jesus Do), right? Well, since I
can’t always live up to that, I say (to myself)
WWCD (What Would Chantai Do, if I had
my head on straight?). This little phrase has
helped me to avoid a lot of crazy situations.
➤ Stop and think. I’m proud to admit
that I’ve avoided making many a mistakes
because I took the time to stop and think.
When you’re making out and moving toward
that next step, just try taking a breather to
really think things through. I may be over
analyzing, but having sex is a big thing,
(even if you aren’t a virgin). There are so
many things that could go wrong, so don’t
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
be afraid to take a day, a week or a month
to make sure that you’re making the right
decision. I’ve found that if it isn’t right, the
minute the action stops, the questions and
doubts start. I call these moments of clarity
God’s special way of saying, “Don’t do it.”
➤ Know your value. You and what you
have are priceless. Nothing and no one
should have the power to make you feel
otherwise. Don’t sell yourself short because
you’re definitely worth more than that.
➤ Stick to your guns. If you had the guts
to say “no” once, say it again. It will probably be difficult. Peer pressure, especially
when it has a face as cute as your steady’s,
can be incredibly difficult, but have courage and determination. You know how you
feel and you know what you want — never
mind anything else. I try to remember
that this is my life and whatever happens,
I’m going to have to deal with the consequences. That almost always makes giving
in next to impossible.
➤ Be safe, not sorry. If you find that
sex is truly where you and your partner
want your relationship to go, make safe
decisions. Just remember to take all of the
necessary steps to ensure that your choice
won’t come back to haunt you. I hate to be
preachy or cliché, but for heaven’s sake,
wear a condom (or two) every time, and
get tested regularly.
➤ Start talking. If not anything else,
keep the lines of communication wide
open. These days you’re more bound to
run into teens who’ve had multiple sex
partners, so what he/she is doing with
you, has probably done with someone
else as well. Having those fun conversations about past experiences could save
your life. Plan a date at the clinic for STD
testing, and be sure to pick up one of those
cute little pamphlets about sexual education, too. I know a few of the suggestions
are a little lame, but I’m sure you’d rather
be lame than catch an STD or unwanted
pregnancy, right? Right.
Believe it or not, being exploited in a
“loving” relationship can be the gateway to
some of its more severe counterparts. With
all the risks and potential consequences,
there’s no reason that anyone should
be pressured or forced into having sex,
especially by someone who is supposedly
a mate.
Chantai is a senior at Creekside High.
PAGE 15
Photo illustration by BREANNA MCDANIEL | VOX STAFF
“Sometimes he made me feel like I was
his possession. He would yell at me in
public and make me feel low...
Slowly I started to understand that he
”
was manipulating and using me.
Selling My Body for Love
By Name Withheld
Special to VOX
A
few years ago I felt that the only
thing I needed was the affection
of an older man. I never really
had anyone to take care of me after my
aunt died. So I took refuge where I found
it, which happened to be a five-month
sexual (and abusive) relationship with an
18-year-old guy I met at school.
It didn’t really bother me that he showered me — then just a 14-year-old boy
— with presents and attention in return
for sex. It was a small price to pay. But
eventually the price became too much
to afford.
Punished by God?
Following the death of my aunt, I felt
like God was punishing me for being gay.
I was raised in the Christian faith and
believed very deeply in God. But after my
aunt died, I strayed away in anger from
Him because He took so many things
away from me and made my life so
upsidedown.
I moved to Florida to live with my dad
because I really had nowhere else to
go. My dad has never been supportive
of me, and years ago when he found
out I was gay he almost sent me off to a
military academy to straighten me out.
Instead he sent me to live with my aunt,
where I had a hard time dealing with the
fact that I was gay myself. With my aunt
gone, I had no support system. I had no
one to talk to. I had no one to assure me
everything would be OK.
Finally Being Wanted
That’s when I met Alex*. He was a
senior at my school in Florida, and he
seemed like a really nice guy. His dad was
a former professional football player, so
Alex had lots of money and a place of his
own. We hooked up and he began to lavish me with presents and attention. Alex
made me feel wanted. And I believed I
didn’t need anyone else.
Within weeks, I moved out of my dad’s
house and in with Alex. My dad was glad
to be rid of me, and Alex lived his father’s
guest house. So no one noticed.
I was in love with Alex. And I quickly
found out that to get whatever I wanted
— whether it be attention or material
things — all I had to do was have sex
with him.
PAGE 16
At the time, I didn’t think it was such a
big deal. I liked being a kept man. I didn’t
realize I was being sexually exploited. I
thought he was the love of my life, and
I’d do anything to keep feeling happy.
However, sometimes Alex did make
me feel like I was his possession, not his
boyfriend. He would yell at me in public
and make me feel low. Some nights he
made me stay at home while he went out
and partied. But he always restored my
faith in him by apologizing and giving
me some kind of gift. At first, I was naïve
about what was going on, but slowly I
started to understand that he was manipulating and using me.
pletely dependent on him.
A few days passed before we got into
another nasty fight — about nothing important — and it was really the last straw
for me. Alex let his anger get completely
out of control, and he stabbed me in
the arm with one of the kitchen knives
hanging above the stove. I had never
been more scared in my life. I wasn’t sure
how to deal with a man who I finally
discovered was so full of hate and could
be capable of so much violence. The next
morning when he dropped me off at
school I left Florida with only a bookbag
full of clothes and the destination of
Atlanta in my mind.
From Sex to Violence
Getting Out and Getting Help
Then one night he picked me up from
a winter concert where I sang Brahms’
“Requiem.” As we started to drive off,
he accused me of flirting with another
student after the concert.
“I saw you talking to that Jason*,” Alex
said somewhat angrily. “What was that
about?”
I explained to him that I was just
congratulating Jason on a job well done.
I kind of sensed Alex was jealous, but I
didn’t want to tell him and make him any
angrier then he already was. It seemed
like he wanted to pick a fight with me.
But this time I didn’t care about making
up and getting a gift. I wanted him to
know I wasn’t going to take his crap.
So, I got smart with him. “It was nothing,” I said. “Just chill out and stop trying
to start something with me.”
He responded by hitting me in the
face. And I hit back. He pulled the car
over and started to beat me. I defended
myself and gave as good as I got.
Later on that night, when we were lying in bed together, I knew that something had drastically changed about
Alex. He had hit never me before. And
this time there was no making up, no
apologies from him. I felt alone. I wanted
to leave, but I didn’t feel like I had anywhere to go.
I didn’t want to risk losing him or the
solid foundation I thought we had built
together. I didn’t want to lose what I had
worked so hard to attain. But I did realize
that most of my time was spent kissing
his a** so I would be loved and accepted
and not be the object of his anger. I realized that he could drop me in a second
for any reason. I realized that I was com-
I arrived in Atlanta not knowing what I
was going to do, but I was happy because
I felt I had a new start. I got help from
YouthPride, a local organization that supports gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender
and questioning teens. I also turned myself over to the Department of Family and
Children Services who placed me into a
foster home. However, when I turned 17,
I signed myself out of the DFACS system.
My story is a reminder that sexual
exploitations come in many different
forms. It’s not uncommon for a young
adult, teenager or child to find themselves in the same predicament I was in.
It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female,
straight or gay, rich or poor, innocent or
street smart. It can happen to anyone
who lets the promise of love, money or
just a better life get in the way of his or
her best judgment.
Unfortunately, there are not enough
pure-minded mentors in our community
willing to help young people who have
been sexually exploited. Even more so,
we as GLBTQ youth must stick together
and look out for each other because our
stories are often overlooked. There are a
few resources in the Atlanta area we can
take advantage of if we find ourselves in
need (see “Where to Find Help” right) but
our best resources are each other.
I found help at a few of these organizations when I didn’t think anyone would
care. They put me back on my feet and
returned my self-esteem. I have learned
that there’s never any good that can come
out of having sex to get the things you
want. Sexual exploitation is never OK.
If you’re being exploited right now, I
encourage you to seek immediate as-
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
WHERE TO FIND HELP
It may seem like you have nowhere
to go and no one will help you,
but these Atlanta organizations
can get you out of your situation
immediately.
➤ Chris Kids: This organization
provides housing and referral
services to homeless youth,
including Rainbow House, which is
the only group serving homeless
GLBTQ youth in the metro Atlanta
area. Call 404-486-9034.
➤ Convenant House: Provides
emergency assistance quickly if
you find yourself homeless and
need a place to stay ASAP. They
will come and pick you up from a
central location such as 5 Points
or the World Congress Center. Call
the “9 Line” at 1-800-999-9999.
➤ Stand Up for Kids: An
organization that provides services
for homeless youth. Contact Sam
Michini at 678-522-0197.
➤ YouthPride: Supports GLBTQ
kids ages 13-24 with a range or
free services, including free HIV
testing and support groups. To
contact them call 404-521-9711
or visit www.youthpride.org.
sistance. And if you know a friend who
is, help out by telling someone you trust.
How can we recognize when friends are
being sexual exploited? Well, if they are
constantly showing off the latest clothes
and electronics — and you know they’re
not able to afford them — they may be
having sex for money or gifts.
I hope that sharing this chapter of my
past helps others to better understand
the dangers of sexual exploitation and
the help that is available. I’ve learned that
no matter how bad things look, you can’t
give up on life. I’ve also learned that no
matter how attractive turning tricks for
love or money looks, allowing yourself
or your friends to be sexually exploited is
never the answer to your problems.
The writer, 17, serves as an assistant program manager at a local youth organization and works as a restaurant host.
www.VoxRox.org
REVIEWS
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
WWW.VOXROX.ORG
MOVIE REVIEW
MOVIE REVIEW
PAGE 17
DVD REVIEW
“300”
“Daddy’s Little Girls”
“Volver”
directed by Zach Snyder
directed by Tyler Perry
directed by Pedro Almodovar
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
You have never experienced anything like it. You
will never again experience
anything like it. If you have
yet to go see “300” your life is
incomplete.
I’m really not exaggerating
(you might think so, but honest-to-goodness, I’m not).
“300” is that good. It isn’t
so much the acting, or the
directing, or the fact that the
entire movie is full of blood,
gore and general mayhem.
It’s the fact that this movie
is so much a spectacle, that even if you don’t enjoy
extended battle sequences, you will at least appreciate
the sheer scale on which they are occurring.
“300” is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller (of
“Sin City” fame), and depicts the epic Battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas (played with immense
gravitas by Gerard Butler), 300 Spartan soldiers, and
700 Thespians (citizens of the Greek city-state Thespiae, not actors) held the narrow pass at Thermopylae,
fighting against an army consisting of anywhere between 800,000 and 5,293,200 Persian soldiers, depending on the account you choose to believe.
There’s not a great deal of plot development to the
movie; it’s basically one glorious last stand that puts
live actors into settings seemingly ripped straight from
the pages of Miller’s graphic novel, thanks to some
stunning CGI effects. What do I mean by glorious
last stand? I mean Spartan soldiers running swords
through one Persian while smashing the side of their
shield into the face of another. I mean Spartan soldiers fighting back to back, taking out 30 or so Persian
soldiers before even stopping to take a break. I mean
decapitations where you watch the heads fall in slow
motion.
Of course, even though we identify with the courage
of the Spartans, as per the Battle of Thermopylae, they
must die. I could tell you how they died, but it’s all too
dramatic for me to spoil it for you. So I’ll leave it by
saying that it involves a fateful betrayal. One twist not
in the graphic novel is the story of King Leonidas’ wife
— Queen Gordo (played by Lena Headey) — who takes
her lovely self and not so lovely name to the Spartan council to convince them to declare war on the
Persians and send more soldiers to help her husband’s
cause.
If you did not pick up on what I’ve said throughout
the review, the moral of the story is: See “300.”
“Daddy’s Little Girl” was
written and directed by Tyler
Perry, who is best known for
his hilarious “Madea” plays
and movies such as “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”
and “Madea’s Family Reunion.” This movie is about
a mechanic, Monty (played
by Idris Elba), who enlists
the help of a successful-butlonely attorney, Julia (Gabrielle Untion). Monty wants
to wrest custody of his three
daughters from his deceitful ex-wife, Jennifer (Tasha
Smith) and her drug dealer
boy friend, Joseph (Gary
Anthony Sturgis).
Along the way, the working relationship between
the blue collar dad and his
uptown attorney grows into
something more romantic,
because they begin to see
qualities in each other that
they are looking for in their
ideal mates. “Daddy’s Little
Girl” is a simple, touching
story of two people trying
to overcome their different
backgrounds to find love.
It’s also the story of a downon-his-luck man struggling
to protect his children from
abuse and neglect, and a
community looking to purge itself from the criminals
who are terrorizing its citizens.
In my opinion, “Daddy’s Little Girl” was one of
the best movies that I have seen this year. It is full of
drama, romance, laughter and inspiration. The acting
was very good across the board. This movie will keep
you feeling all types of emotions from start to finish. I
cried during several scenes and when it ended because
it was just that good — and I don’t cry at just anything.
I highly recommend “Daddy’s Little Girl” to anyone,
whether you’re a fan of Tyler Perry’s work or not. It’s
themes are universal, it’s overall message uplifting.
And, I also recommend buying it on DVD when it
comes out because it’s the type of movie you can play
over and over without getting tired of. I know I’ll definitely be buying it.
Pedro Almodovar has
directed a movie that dispels
my inner cynic’s claim that
great movies died with Alfred
Hitchcock back in 1980.
“Volver” is a return to classic
modern foreign filmmaking
that’s peppered with insanity, cleavage, ghosts and a
butcher knife to the belly.
The movie stars Penelope
Cruz as Raimunda, whose
life seems to collapse around
her when the ghost of her
dead mother (Irene Carmen
Maura) tries to help when Raimunda’s teenage daughter, Paula (Yohana Cobo) claims to have butchered,
Paco (Antonio de la Torre), in self defense. Raimunda
then hides the body in the freezer of the restaurant
she works at. And then in an even more over-the-top
series of events, Raimunda is left to serve food to a visiting film crew while her mother haunts her, her aunt
(Chus Lampreave) seems to go insane and several
other characters add bizarre, often hilarious twists.
Almodovar fills “Volver” with plot points that are far
more intriguing than any of the current fad-movies
whose stories can be summed up in their oh-so-obvious titles. And only Almodovar could also evoke a
series of emotions ranging from giddiness to terror to
repulsion in the same movie.
“Volver” is a chick flick in the truest sense — when
it’s entirely about women it’s hard not to be. However,
this movie didn’t force you to sit through any girl
power babble, or forced messages about breaking free
from male oppression.
Truth be told, you don’t really need to say that you’re
breaking free when your jailer lies in a pool of blood
on the floor. Once that happens, the only problem
with your new freedom is what to do with your ex
husband. Cruz and her host of supporting actresses
don’t really assault the viewers with abject femininity;
it’s much more subtle. The movie is made of scenes
that are so realistic — despite the frantic plot — that I
could identify with everything in the movie, even the
ghosts.
What I’ve heard from bigger fans, is that “Volver”
is rather tame for an Almodovar movie, seeing as it
lacked any cross dressers — something the eccentric
Spanish director is known for. But for all of its tameness, it was wild and entirely remarkable movie about
three generations of women, as well as the critical differences that unite, as well as divide, us all.
By Raiona Green / VOX Staff
By Willamae Boling / VOX Staff
By Barry Langer / VOX Staff
“I cried
during
several
scenes
and when
it ended
because
it was just
that good.”
VOX’S ANNUAL SUMMER JOURNALISM PROGRAM AND INTERNSHIP
Raise Your Voice
VOX is looking for 12 motivated teens who want to learn about journalism, writing,
➤ Earn $50 per week.
➤ Learn journalism, writing, design,
art, photography and Web skills.
➤ Write for and get published in VOX
and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
➤ Create the September issue of VOX.
➤ Visit CNN and the Cartoon Network.
reporting, illustration, Web design, page layout and photography to join our staff. Start with
training from July 7 to Aug. 3, and then stay on as VOX Staff next school year.
Applications are due April 28. Call 404-614-0040 or download an application from www.VoxRox.org.
➤ Work one-on-one with a mentor
from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
➤ Build leadership skills.
➤ Raise your voice!
THE WALL
PAGE 18
Because I Miss You
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
WWW.VOXROX.ORG
3 A.M. Metaphysics
ARTISTS’ CORNER
Because I miss you, it hurts not to think
of you
Knowing that I can’t even be with you
Because I miss you, I see your smile
now once a while
Wondering whether or not I can call
you my gal
As I lay awake and stare at the
Dark, blurred shapes above me, thoughts
Course through my head, slowly becoming
As black as the ominous night
Prying at my window, soon to be tearing
at my mind.
Because I miss you, I can’t even breathe
’cause of you
It makes me feel like I really need you
Because I miss you, just think of how I’d
treat you
If only I could just see you
Just as sleep seems to be within my grasp,
the question
“Why?” breaks into my mind with a deafening shatter.
Why do I drag myself, half-dead, from my
bed
Every morning? Does anything I do matter?
What am I, but a miniscule flash in the
pan that is existence?
Because I miss you, I’d kiss you
And take you into my arms
Because I miss you, I’d give you nice
Necklaces and charms (me included)
I can hear a voice, not quite my own,
whispering insidiously like
The serpent in the Garden of Eden
“You are nothing! Soon, you shall fade
away to dust!
Someday, even Christ will be forgotten!
What chance do you have?”
Stop! I silently scream, searching for shelter from my contemplations.
You could be the sky
And I would be your cloud
We would float on air
all day every way
I’d carry you on my back
Through the rain
The mud
The heat
I would carry you,
Through all that
The hail, sleet, snow
And then some ... why?
“Heart Gone Wild”
illustration by
Victoria, 14, of
VOX Girls Group
Because I miss you
Lyndon Habersham Jr. / Douglass High
Determined
to survive
The dog died with a deadly force,
The child cried like a baby with a
cold and shrill howl.
It was a wintry and rocky course,
The fierce and piercing growl
Of the foxes’ ear-piercing sound
Caused chills to halt
The movement of the homebound
Youngster before she reached her vault.
Yet she mustn’t be immobilized
Even though she was outsized
She must make it to sunrise
Repentant like Adam, she knew
she would be chastised,
But at least she would be alive,
alive, alive
Determined to survive
Rachel Leduc / Roswell High School
The Beach
Clueless
Days melt into weeks
And form this ocean
In front of me
These sands explain that
Our lives are slowly
Sifting away
The public will never know
the truth
of what you did
I talk now with strangers
And share my darkest of secrets
Drifting through waves
We dive below
As long as one grain remains
In this hourglass we call life
I will continue onward against
the tide
A learning disability
is like a trap
I make my way towards a lighthouse
And pick up imperfect shells along
the path
Never the flawless
They seem most unnatural today
It holds onto my thoughts
And won’t let them escape.
But my thoughts are there.
I will succeed.
A colorful kite of rainbow colors
Whips up quickly
And reaching up high
Makes love to the sky
Don’t tell me that I don’t care.
How do you know what’s inside of me?
On the inside, I am a rock.
I will not give up.
I will succeed.
The sun grows hot
The sands blister my feet
And not even the ocean’s caress
Could undo this feat
People tell me that I am slow.
I may be slow, but I work hard.
Don’t judge this book by its cover.
You will soon see.
I am determined to succeed.
Kelvin Floyd / Grady High School
The salty breeze passes through
my hair
Yet I continue on without a care
My beach is still filled with sand and
people to meet
So why stop now and retreat?
Marie Lancome / Roswell High School
The public will never know
the lies —
the ones you hid
The public will never know
the debt —
where the money goes
The public will never know
the war
limited on what you expose
The public will never know
the future,
for few fellows ever find out
The public will never know
where we’re going
we only know the other route
The public will never know
the cause
of what is going on
The public only knows
the lives
that leave and are forever gone
The public only knows
the lies —
the ones that we believe
The public only knows
the disguise —
the one you wear to deceive.
Cherini Ghobrial / Roswell High School
All that I can hear is my own blood, pulsing through my ears
Pounding out a deep and eerie rhythm
With its morbid thump, thump.
Even my hearing becomes dark and black
As the shapes around me dance and blur
in the darkness.
My subconscious redoubles its assault,
Mercilessly mauling my miserable mind:
“You fool!” It hisses. “For all you know,
There is no Heaven, no Hell. Any moment
You’ll cease to exist, fade into an eternal
darkness. And good riddance!”
I pull my sheets up a little higher and sigh,
my only salvation
That, although I shall some day fade into
oblivion,
Blink out of existence, crumble into dust,
These blasted meditations will have faded
By dawn.
Andrew Bageant / Roswell High School
Y’all Don’t Know Me
Everybody knows me, yet nobody knows
ME.
They hear me, see me, but don’t feel me.
Sure physically, but there are more important ways.
It’s easy to call, but do they know TAY?
Don’t think they’ll understand me
through my mother.
They have to think about my zodiac sign,
my pains, my problems and my father.
Those are some of the things that helps
mold me,
And at the same time the same things
that hold me.
These are the things that keep me from
being my best.
I have yet to live the full potential of being Tay, Octavia, or even Ms. Thickness.
See y’all think bits and pieces. Y’all don’t
think whole.
Just try to put on my shoes. Act like me.
Play my role.
See you be who I am, as I become who
you are.
Watch and see; you won’t get far.
You’ll see what I say, when I say it isn’t
easy.
So y’all know things about me, but y’all
still don’t know me!
Octavia Ayesha Fugerson /
Towers High School
PHOTO ESSAY
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
WWW.VOXROX.ORG
PAGE 19
COOL
CARS
V
OX’s Guys Group took a trip last
month to the annual AJC International Auto Show at the Georgia
World Congress Center. We are guys. Guys
love cars. It was a perfect fit.
Cameras in hand, we chronicled our trip
to the massive show by taking pictures of
every sort of car imaginable, from Toyota
trucks to Maserati convertibles (that had
a sticker price of $200,000+!), from classic
muscle cars to ridiculously tricked-out
modern rides. Heck, there were even a
couple of boats there, though we never
found out why. (Probably because most
guys like anything with a motor.)
The following are a handful of photos of
our favorite vehicles at the show — if only
we had the money to afford them all.
Barry Langer / VOX Staff
What is VOX’s Guys Group?
Guys Group is a collection of, well,
guys from all over Atlanta, who meet at
VOX’s downtown newsroom at least once
a month. We get together to discuss guy
things and to develop stories for VOX that
guys would both want to write and read
— such as sports, cars (of course) and the
male perspective on relationships and
peer pressure.
If you’re interested in joining VOX and
joining Guys Group, shoot us an e-mail
at vox@voxrox.org and we’ll get you send
you an application. Or you can download
it online at www.VoxRox.org.
Photo by RICKY RILEY | VOX STAFF
Welcome to the hall of old-school muscle car design. The Dodge Challenger 2008 will hit the streets running next year.
Photo by BARRY LANGER | VOX STAFF
Photo by RICKY RILEY | VOX STAFF
The guys all wanted to get behind the wheel of the 2007 Acura Le Mans and see how fast it would
go on the race track.
We liked the 2007 Isuzu Street Scene Equip I290 4x2 Extended Cab. Or
the Ridiculously Long Truck Model Name. Either way, it’s a cool ride.
Is there any auto
emblem more
classic than that
of a Ford Cobra
Mustang?
Awesome to the
max custom-paint
job on a Yamaha
motorcycle. Or,
should we say, a
motor-sick-le.
Photo by BARRY LANGER | VOX STAFF
Photo by BARRY LANGER | VOX STAFF
2007 READERS’ SURVEY
VOX: THE VOICE OF OUR GENERATION | APRIL 2007
PAGE 20
WWW.VOXROX.ORG
WIN MONEY FOR YOUR OPINIONS
We care so much about what you think about VOX, we’ll pay to hear your ideas!
Everyone who returns a completed Readers’ Survey to the VOX Newsroom by May 12 will be entered into a drawing
to win cash and prizes, including a Grand Prize of $100! To be in the contest, please fully complete this survey
and send it to VOX along with a separate sheet of paper with your name, phone number, address, and school.
Mail to: VOX Readers’ Survey, 145 Nassau St., Ste. A, Atlanta, GA 30303
■
Or fill out online at: www.VoxRox.org
All survey responses are kept confidential. We use your responses to see how we are doing. Our teen staff are always striving to make sure our paper is the best it can be. We
take your feedback seriously, and often we make changes in VOX because of readers’ recommendations, so please be honest!
Tell us about VOX:
How many issues of VOX have
you read this school year?
❏ One
❏ Five
❏ Two ❏ Three ❏ Four
❏ Six ❏ Seven (all issues so far)
What do you read in each issue?
(Check all that apply)
❏ I read the whole thing
❏ Personal stories
❏ Feature stories (articles
about a topic or event)
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me to believe an opinion
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preparing for life after high school)
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What is your favorite thing about VOX?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
What would you change about VOX?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Does your teacher use VOX in class?
❏ Yes
❏ No
If yes, how often?
❏ Every month
❏ Sometimes
❏ Not often
If yes, how do they use it?
(Check all that apply.)
❏ They hand out VOX in class
❏ They let us read it in class
❏ They give extra credit if I get
published in VOX
❏ They use VOX articles as part of their
lessons and/or in classroom discussions
❏ We have assignments based on the articles
❏ Other ________________________________
How would you want your teachers
to use VOX? (Check all that apply):
❏ Hand out VOX in class
❏ Use VOX in discussions
❏ Give credit for writing to VOX
❏ Other ________________________________
Where do you usually get your copy of VOX?
❏ School library
❏ Teacher
❏ Public library
❏ After-school program
❏ Your parent or guardian
❏ Other ________________________________
How VOX has impacted you:
Has reading VOX helped you decide to do
something positive?
Has reading VOX ever helped you feel more
connected to your peers, or less alone?
❏ Yes
❏ Yes
If yes, what did you do? __________________
_______________________________________
❏ No
❏ No
Have you ever used the resources in VOX for
help (phone numbers for experts, Web sites,
tips for handling certain situations, etc.)?
Has reading VOX ever helped you decide to
do something active in the community?
❏ Yes
❏ Yes
❏ No
❏ No
If yes, what kind of help were you looking for?
_______________________________________
If yes, tell us what you did. _______________
_______________________________________
Has reading VOX ever helped you be more
tolerant or understanding of teens with
different life experiences than you?
Have you ever used something you learned
in VOX to handle a conflict?
❏ Yes
❏ Yes
❏ No
❏ No
If yes, please tell us who.
(Check all that apply.)
❏ Survivors of sexual exploitation
❏ Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or
transgender teens
❏ People with different religions
❏ People from different cultures
and/or countries
❏ Teens with different family experiences
(foster care, single-parent homes, teens
who have been arrested, etc.)
❏ Other ________________________________
If yes, what did you do? ___________________
_______________________________________
Have you ever visited the Teen Resource
Guide (www.TeenResourceATL.org)?
❏ Yes
❏ No
If yes, did you find resources for help?
❏ Yes
❏ No
If yes, did you use any of the resources?
❏ Yes
❏ No
Who else, besides you, reads your copy of
VOX? (Check all who do)
What would encourage you to send your
writing / art to VOX? (Check all that apply.)
❏ Just me ❏ Brother/sister
❏ Teacher ❏ Parent / Guardian
❏ Friend ❏ Other ______________
❏ Teachers provide extra credit
❏ Teachers make an announcement
❏ Prizes for winners
❏ Able to submit it on the VOX Web site
❏ Other _______________________________
Please select any of the following topics
you learned about this year by reading
VOX: (Check all that apply)
❏ Help getting into and paying for college
❏ Dealing with substance abuse
(alcohol, drugs, smoking)
❏ Sex education
❏ Safe driving
❏ How to take care of your health
(physical and mental)
❏ Other cultures and countries
❏ How to be active in your community
Did you enter the Art/Poetry/Essay contest
this spring?
❏ Yes
❏ No
If yes, did you learn or gain anything by
participating in the contest?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
If no, would you participate in the future?
❏ Yes
❏ No
The Visual Appeal of VOX
and www.VoxRox.org:
How well do the art and graphic design
entice you to read VOX?
❏ I don’t notice the art and graphic design
❏ The art and graphic design are good, but
could be better.
❏ The art and graphic design are well done
and make me want to read the stories.
Please select the topics you would like to
see more of: (Check all that apply)
❏ Help getting into and paying for college:
❏ Dealing with substance abuse (alcohol,
drugs, smoking)
❏ Sex education
❏ Safe driving
❏ How to take care of your health (physical
and mental)
❏ Other cultures and countries
❏ How to be active in your community
❏ Know your rights (learning about how
laws apply to teens)
❏ Relationships (friends, boy/girlfriends,
family)
❏ Entertainment
❏ Sports
❏ Politics
❏ Getting/keeping a job
❏ Religion
What else? Tell us here!
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
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or add to the Web site?___________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
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❏ Younger than 13 ❏ 13 ❏ 14 ❏ 15
❏ 16 ❏ 17 ❏ 18 ❏ 19 ❏ 20+
Have you ever visited the VOX Web site
(www.voxrox.org)?
What is your gender? ____________________
❏ Yes
What county do you live in?
❏ No
If yes, how would you rate the Web site?
❏ Excellent
❏ Good
❏ Average
❏ Poor
What would you like to use the Web site for?
❏ Reading VOX articles and
responding to them
❏ Submitting poems, art, and
letters to the editor
❏ Entering the Art/Poetry/Essay contest
❏ Finding links for info and resources for
self-help or community involvement
❏ Finding out how to get involved with VOX
❏ Other? Tell us here! ____________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
❏ Fulton ❏ Clayton ❏ DeKalb ❏ Cobb
❏ Gwinnett ❏ Other ___________________
Which is your race/ethnicity? _____________
You’re done! Don’t forget – put your name
and contact information on a separate sheet
of paper. We’ll use these pages to draw the
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name and survey will never be matched, so
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next school year, tell us on the paper with your
name and contact information, and we will
send you the information you need in August.
Have a great summer!
DON’T FORGET TO SEND IN YOUR
SURVEY BY MAY 12!