It's Your World--If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teenagers

Free Speech. Racism. The Environment. Gay Rights. Bullying and School Safety. Animal Welfare. War. Information about Safe Sex and Birth Control. Free Speech. HIV and AIDS. Women's Rights.

These are the issues you care about — and now you can do something about them. It's Your World will show you how to act on your beliefs, no matter what they are, and make a difference.

The information inside includes:

• The basics of activism

• Activism projects and outreach ideas

• The 5-minute activist

• How to be an activist at home, at school, and in your community

• Stories from teenagers who have taken on the world — and won

• Resources including books, movies, and Web sites

• and much, much more

Whether at home, in school, or in your community, you have the power and the ability to create change, even if you aren't old enough to vote. Don't wait until you're eighteen to flex your political muscles — start right now!

Introduction

YOU CAN SO CHANGE THE WORLD • WHY PEOPLE BECOME ACTIVISTS • ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE • CHOOSING YOUR CAUSE • DO YOUR RESEARCH • HOW THIS BOOK WORKS • A FEW MORE THINGS

Helping Animals

THE ISSUES • BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER • MAKE YOUR HOME A CRUELTY-FREE ZONE • REFUSE DISSECTION • MAKE AN ANIMAL RESEARCH COLLEGE GUIDE • VOLUNTEER AT A SHELTER • BE AN ACTIVE CITIZEN FOR LOCAL ANIMALS • START A PAWS CHAPTER IN YOUR TOWN • SHAKIRA'S STORY • EMMA'S STORY • THE 5-MINUTE ACTIVIST • RESOURCES

Fighting Racism

THE ISSUES • TEST YOURSELF FOR BIAS • PLAN A "RACE MATTERS" MOVIE NIGHT • WHAT IF YOUR FAMILY IS RACIST? • INVITE A SPEAKER TO YOUR SCHOOL • MOBILIZE AGAINST HATE GROUPS BY WRITING A LETTER TO THE EDITOR • OTHER WAYS TO FIGHT RACISM • CHIKA'S STORY • EMMANUEL'S STORY • THE 5-MINUTE ACTIVIST • RESOURCES

Saving the Environment

THE ISSUES • MEASURE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT • GIVE YOUR HOUSE AN ENVIRONMENTAL MAKEOVER • START AN ENVIRONMENTAL MAILING LIST • FIND OUT IF YOUR SCHOOL SPENDS MORE ON ENERGY THAN ON YOU • CHECK YOUR COMMUNITY WATER QUALITY • IDENTIFY LOCAL POLLUTERS • ADAM'S STORY • DAVID'S STORY • THE 5-MINUTE ACTIVIST • RESOURCES

Ending War

THE ISSUES • PUT UP A PEACE POSTER • INTERVIEW A VETERAN OF WAR • ORGANIZE A TEACH-IN AT YOUR SCHOOL • START A FAITH-BASED PEACE COALITION • GO TO A BIG PROTEST • ANA'S STORY • HANNAH'S STORY • THE 5-MINUTE ACTIVIST • RESOURCES

Fighting the Spread of HIV/AIDS

THE ISSUES • GET TESTED • FIGHT FOR COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION • GET LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SIGN AN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PLEDGE • OTHER ACTIVISM IDEAS • LAURA'S STORY • HENRY'S STORY • THE 5-MINUTE ACTIVIST • RESOURCES

Stopping School Violence and Bullying

THE ISSUES • MAKE AN ANTI-VIOLENCE CONTRACT WITH YOUR PARENTS • DISTRIBUTE A FLYER ABOUT THE WARNING SIGNS OF POSSIBLE SCHOOL VIOLENCE • CREATE A BULLY BOX • CONNECT WITH AN AT-RISK YOUTH • BRITT'S STORY • MISSY'S STORY • RESOURCES

Defending Women's Rights

THE ISSUES • LEARN ABOUT FEMINIST HISTORY • DISCUSS FEMINISM WITH SOMEONE FROM ANOTHER GENERATION • SPEAK OUT ABOUT DATING VIOLENCE • FIND OUT IF YOUR SCHOOL IS TITLE IX COMPLIANT • HAVE A LETTER-WRITING PARTY TO FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS • SARA'S STORY • ERICA'S STORY • THE 5-MINUTE ACTIVIST • RESOURCES

Protecting Civil Rights and Civil Liberty

THE ISSUES • FIND OUT WHAT DATA THE GOVERNMENT HAS ON FILE ABOUT YOU • START AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PAPER • DO AN ART PROJECT ABOUT SURVEILLANCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY • HOST A VIDEO SCREENING ABOUT THE FOURTH AMENDMENT • ASHLEY'S STORY • ALAN'S STORY • RESOURCES

Promoting Tolerance Toward Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth

THE ISSUES • TALK TO YOUR PARENTS ABOUT AN LGBTQ ISSUE IN THE NEWS • START A GAY/STRAIGHT ALLIANCE AT YOUR SCHOOL • ASSESS WHETHER YOUR SCHOOL IS SAFE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH • MAKE A VOTER GUIDE • SARAH'S STORY • STACEY'S STORY • RESOURCES

Acknowledgments

General Activism Resources

Sources used in writing this book