Paul T. Rosynsky and Jane Rochmes Oakland Tribune
OAKLAND -- While much of America is uniting to fight the evils of terrorism, many East Bay high school students said Friday a war is not theirs to wage. As hundreds gathered on the steps of City Hall Friday to remember those lost Tuesday during the dev astating terrorist attacks in New York City and the Pentagon, high school students came together in stead to talk of weekend plans and the latest gossip. The wave of patriotism across the country hasn't reached many area teen-agers who questioned Friday the need to retaliate and vowed not to fight if called upon for duty.
| "It didn't happen in Oakland, it could have but it didn't, so I don't feel scared or nothing. Why should I go fight in a war and die for nothing." |
With the terrorist attacks occur ring more than 3,000 miles away, teen-agers had trouble making a connection to the tragedies and a harder time finding a reason to care. "It didn't happen in Oakland, it could have but it didn't, so I don't feel scared or nothing," said Hieu Le, 15, a student at Castlemont High School. "Why should I go fight in a war and die for nothing."
Similar feelings were echoed throughout the blacktop courtyard of McClymonds High School and corridors of Berkeley High. Although many said they felt sympathy for the victims and those who had lost loved ones, when it came to risking their own lives to fight for America, most said they would try to find a way out. | "I'm not risking my life for that, I love myself too much. If they came after me I would have to run." |
"I'm not risking my life for that, I love myself too much," said Amir Kellogg, 17, as he sat with friends during lunch. "If they came after me I would have to run."
| "I think the United States deserves it," said Berkeley High senior Patrick Rizzo. |
"I think the United States deserves it," said Berkeley High senior Patrick Rizzo. "It's pretty sad for the poor people, but the United States does the same thing. We're probably going to do the same thing after this. We're not going to send anybody into the country, we're just going to bomb them like they did us." |