Published March 28, 2008
One out of every 4 teen girls has a sexually transmitted disease, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That's right, 25 percent of the teenage female population has an STD. Out of a group of four friends, one has an STD. The odds are that in a graduating class of 400 girls, 100 students will have an STD. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those infected have no idea.
It's estimated 3.2 million adolescent females have at least one of the most common STDs — human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus and trichomoniasis.
Fifty percent of teenage girls will become pregnant within the first six months of becoming sexually active.
Though consistent and correct usage of the male latex condom can reduce the risk of STD infection, there is no protective method that will 100 percent prevent the transmission of any STD.
These are the facts, but how do we use them to implement change? Typically, when it comes to sex "education" there are two opposing teams. Team A: the abstinence-only sex ed and Team B: the physical health-based sex ed.
Abstinence-only education, or teaching people to postpone sexual activity until they are in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship, is usually what is taught to middle and high school science students.
Physical health-based sex education forgoes guilt trips and provides people with sexual health information if they choose to participate in sexual activity.
I propose both types of education should be taught to the public, specifically young adults and teenagers.
According to statistics, 50 percent of teenagers are sexually active. That means two major things: One, despite what we see on television and hear on the radio, not everyone is having sex. Two, half of the teenage population is engaging in sexual activities, so abstinence-only education is possibly working only half of the time.
In the 10th grade, I took sex ed with my abundantly educated, deeply passionate biology teacher. She instilled fear into a large group of 15- and 16-year-olds. But, apparently, that fear didn't last too long because before I completed my sophomore year, a number of my classmates were parents; by the time we graduated, that number grew and before we hit 21, well, you get the picture.
If abstinence-only sex education only works with roughly half of the student population, we are failing our children. If we know, for whatever reason, that teenagers and young adults are going to have sex, we should teach them how best to protect themselves in those situations.
It would be invaluable if the definition of "sexual activity" officially included all sexual acts. If not, we will continue to have large numbers of teenagers and young adults who test positive for STDs and consider themselves virgins. The odds are if you do not think you are engaging in sexual activity, you will not consider taking precautions to protect yourself as much as possible.
Refusing to teach young adults and teens proper sexual health has something to do with 1 in every 4 teenage girls having an STD; but so does not taking the time to tell teenagers that peer pressure, skewed media imagery, violent music and other outside influences is not enough to participate in sexual activity.
Parents, guardians, siblings, mentors and community leaders, it's your responsibility to tell your children they should really consider not engaging in sex until they are old enough and responsible enough to make that decision and until they can fairly evaluate and maintain their sexual, mental, emotional, physical and psychological well-being.
The odds are people will engage in sexual activity if they're educated or not. Let us work together to provide the needed tools so people can make the best possible choices.
Katrina L. Rogers is a member of The Times Community Board. Send comments to shreveportopinion@gannett.com.
3.28.2008
Katrina L. Rogers: Limited career opportunities uproot young professionals
Published March 21, 2008
One particularly uneventful Friday evening I asked a friend, "So what do people with promising futures do in this city that feels like a small town?"
His response: "Leave."
So five days after Thanksgiving, 24-year-old Shreveport native LeRodrius McDowell took his own advice, packed up his car and moved to Atlanta.
Leaving doesn't sound all that bad of an idea to the number of college-educated, young adults who happen to reside in what — at times — seems to be a service-based city.
McDowell's reason for leaving: "The lack of career opportunities, lack of culture and the disproportionate balance between those with wealth and those in poverty is the reason I relocated to Atlanta. The pretense of equal opportunity in this city is as wretched as the streets we are subjected to drive on."
KaToya Strange, 25, found herself over 900 miles from home and longing for a return to the Ark-La-Tex."
I miss all of my family, I really don't want to have to travel 15 hours just to get home. The sad part is that I've looked and looked and looked for jobs in Shreveport and the jobs I've found don't offer decent salaries."
McDowell adds, "I have definitely faced roadblocks. Being that I am not interested in starting a career at GM, the hospitals, the call centers, the casinos or KCS, my options are definitely limited. I am expected to accept the same jobs and compensation that someone who just graduated high school would be offered."
These stories aren't atypical as a number of young adults are leaving Louisiana — particularly the northern portion of the state — for greener pastures elsewhere. Strange says she has friends who have all left Shreveport-Bossier City to establish careers in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
"They all left home because the area lacks real opportunity. In Shreveport, either you're a teacher or you work on one of the boats," she says.
Locals aren't moving to only large cities for prospects.
McDowell says he has friends who have moved to Carrollton, Texas; Lewisville, Texas; Fayetteville, Ark.; and Farmer's Branch, Texas, just to name a few. They work as recreation specialists, inventory control specialists, team leaders/managers in training and account managers.
"I'd love to come back someday and help build this city into a more culturally diverse place to live, work and play. But today is just not that day," he laments.
Katrina L. Rogers is one of several twentysomethings columnists who appear on Fridays. Send comments to shreveportopinion@gannett.com.
One particularly uneventful Friday evening I asked a friend, "So what do people with promising futures do in this city that feels like a small town?"
His response: "Leave."
So five days after Thanksgiving, 24-year-old Shreveport native LeRodrius McDowell took his own advice, packed up his car and moved to Atlanta.
Leaving doesn't sound all that bad of an idea to the number of college-educated, young adults who happen to reside in what — at times — seems to be a service-based city.
McDowell's reason for leaving: "The lack of career opportunities, lack of culture and the disproportionate balance between those with wealth and those in poverty is the reason I relocated to Atlanta. The pretense of equal opportunity in this city is as wretched as the streets we are subjected to drive on."
KaToya Strange, 25, found herself over 900 miles from home and longing for a return to the Ark-La-Tex."
I miss all of my family, I really don't want to have to travel 15 hours just to get home. The sad part is that I've looked and looked and looked for jobs in Shreveport and the jobs I've found don't offer decent salaries."
McDowell adds, "I have definitely faced roadblocks. Being that I am not interested in starting a career at GM, the hospitals, the call centers, the casinos or KCS, my options are definitely limited. I am expected to accept the same jobs and compensation that someone who just graduated high school would be offered."
These stories aren't atypical as a number of young adults are leaving Louisiana — particularly the northern portion of the state — for greener pastures elsewhere. Strange says she has friends who have all left Shreveport-Bossier City to establish careers in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
"They all left home because the area lacks real opportunity. In Shreveport, either you're a teacher or you work on one of the boats," she says.
Locals aren't moving to only large cities for prospects.
McDowell says he has friends who have moved to Carrollton, Texas; Lewisville, Texas; Fayetteville, Ark.; and Farmer's Branch, Texas, just to name a few. They work as recreation specialists, inventory control specialists, team leaders/managers in training and account managers.
"I'd love to come back someday and help build this city into a more culturally diverse place to live, work and play. But today is just not that day," he laments.
Katrina L. Rogers is one of several twentysomethings columnists who appear on Fridays. Send comments to shreveportopinion@gannett.com.
Katrina L. Rogers: I'm frightened to think of obligations that will come if this "reform" does not work
Published March 2, 2008
I'm a firm believer that, for some, perception is more relevant than reality; and so I was amused that our now governor ran a campaign that might have solidified the idea — for some — that as Louisianans we cheat, steal, kill and only support officials who do the same.
According to Bobby Jindal, being an elected official is a privilege — though I would imagine all citizens who qualify have the right — and to be worthy of that privilege, candidates (and spouses) must disclose their income, source of income, debt and so on.
I'm frightened to think of obligations that will come if this "reform" does not work. I find irony in the fact that the people who uphold the image of Louisiana being an ethically challenged state will be affected by this session in no shape, form or fashion.
Now, if we could only work on the perception the state lacks in education, employment, health care, violent crime control and viable options for anyone under the age of 40.
I'm a firm believer that, for some, perception is more relevant than reality; and so I was amused that our now governor ran a campaign that might have solidified the idea — for some — that as Louisianans we cheat, steal, kill and only support officials who do the same.
According to Bobby Jindal, being an elected official is a privilege — though I would imagine all citizens who qualify have the right — and to be worthy of that privilege, candidates (and spouses) must disclose their income, source of income, debt and so on.
I'm frightened to think of obligations that will come if this "reform" does not work. I find irony in the fact that the people who uphold the image of Louisiana being an ethically challenged state will be affected by this session in no shape, form or fashion.
Now, if we could only work on the perception the state lacks in education, employment, health care, violent crime control and viable options for anyone under the age of 40.
Katrina L. Rogers: Recommended reading: Don't let February end pursuit of black history
Published February 28, 2008
Black History Month is almost over, but that does not mean you should stop learning about the experiences of those of the African Diaspora.
One way to learn about the history, legacies, struggles, joys, accomplishments and so on is through reading. Below is a list of books I compiled that will assist in introducing or reinforcing your appreciation for African-American history.
The Sport of the Gods
Author: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Notes: The story of a southern family relocating to New York to start anew but discover their lives in the North are on better tells the familiar story of Blacks during the Great Migration. Published in 1901.
Blues People: Negro Music in White America
Author: Amari Baraka (LeRoi Jones)
Notes: The book follows the history and contributions of African and African American music and their impact on overall American music. Published in 1963.
The Learning Tree
Author: Gordon Parks
Notes: The autobiographical novel of the famous photographer’s teenage years in Kansas. The film adaptation was the first major studio feature film directed by an African-American. Published in 1963.
Native Son
Author: Richard Wright
Notes: Tells the story of Bigger Thomas a young adult who feels trapped and limited in the impoverished South Side of Chicago in the 1920s. Published in 1940.
Things Fall Apart
Author: Chinua Achebe
Notes: Follows the life of Okonkwo, a well-respected elder in his African community. The book also explores how colonization is inevitable distruction. Published in 1959.
The Souls of Black Folk
Author: W.E.B. Du Bois
Notes: Several essays on race and race relations in America written by the noted scholar and and Civil Right’s activist. Published in 1903.
Invisible Man
Author: Ralph Ellison
Notes: Novel explores the struggles of African American men in a predominately-white American society. Published in 1952.
Roots: The Saga of an American Family
Author: Alex Haley
Notes: Fictionalized account of Haley’s ancestors’ experiences of being kidnapped in Africa, the Middle Passage and generations of slavery in America. Published in 1976.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Author: Zora Neale Hurston
Notes: Novel that tells the life story of Janie Crawford, her transformation and search for love and respect without objectification in her relationships. Published in 1937.
Passing
Author: Nella Larsen
Notes: Novel that explores the complexities of African Americans “passing” for white. Published in 1929.
Coming of Age in Mississippi
Author: Anne Moody
Notes: Autobiography following the life of Moody from childhood to Civil Rights activist. Published in 1969.
Beloved
Author: Toni Morrison
Notes: Fictionalized slave narrative that explores the devastating events and effects of slavery as the protagonist would rather have her children dead than slaves. Published in 1987.
Autobiography of Malcolm X
Author: Alex Haley
Notes: Documents the various transformations of Malcolm X from young criminal to Civil Rights activist representing The Nation of Islam to forming concern for human rights. Published in 1965.
Death of Innocence: The Story of Hate Crime that Changed America
Author: Christopher Benson
Notes: Autobiography of Emmett Till’s mother and how her son’s murder changed her life and history. Published in 2004.
Bullwhip Days, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Confessions of Nat Turner; History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave; Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Voices from Slavery: 100 Authentic Slave Narratives, When I Was a Slave: Memoirs from the Slave Narrative Collection, Narrative of Sojourner Truth, Six Women's Slave Narratives, Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Remembers
Authors: Varies
Notes: In order to understand African American history, it is imperative that one understand why and under what conditions most African Americans ended up in America and the autobiographies of slaves should help form that conclusion.
Black History Month is almost over, but that does not mean you should stop learning about the experiences of those of the African Diaspora.
One way to learn about the history, legacies, struggles, joys, accomplishments and so on is through reading. Below is a list of books I compiled that will assist in introducing or reinforcing your appreciation for African-American history.
The Sport of the Gods
Author: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Notes: The story of a southern family relocating to New York to start anew but discover their lives in the North are on better tells the familiar story of Blacks during the Great Migration. Published in 1901.
Blues People: Negro Music in White America
Author: Amari Baraka (LeRoi Jones)
Notes: The book follows the history and contributions of African and African American music and their impact on overall American music. Published in 1963.
The Learning Tree
Author: Gordon Parks
Notes: The autobiographical novel of the famous photographer’s teenage years in Kansas. The film adaptation was the first major studio feature film directed by an African-American. Published in 1963.
Native Son
Author: Richard Wright
Notes: Tells the story of Bigger Thomas a young adult who feels trapped and limited in the impoverished South Side of Chicago in the 1920s. Published in 1940.
Things Fall Apart
Author: Chinua Achebe
Notes: Follows the life of Okonkwo, a well-respected elder in his African community. The book also explores how colonization is inevitable distruction. Published in 1959.
The Souls of Black Folk
Author: W.E.B. Du Bois
Notes: Several essays on race and race relations in America written by the noted scholar and and Civil Right’s activist. Published in 1903.
Invisible Man
Author: Ralph Ellison
Notes: Novel explores the struggles of African American men in a predominately-white American society. Published in 1952.
Roots: The Saga of an American Family
Author: Alex Haley
Notes: Fictionalized account of Haley’s ancestors’ experiences of being kidnapped in Africa, the Middle Passage and generations of slavery in America. Published in 1976.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Author: Zora Neale Hurston
Notes: Novel that tells the life story of Janie Crawford, her transformation and search for love and respect without objectification in her relationships. Published in 1937.
Passing
Author: Nella Larsen
Notes: Novel that explores the complexities of African Americans “passing” for white. Published in 1929.
Coming of Age in Mississippi
Author: Anne Moody
Notes: Autobiography following the life of Moody from childhood to Civil Rights activist. Published in 1969.
Beloved
Author: Toni Morrison
Notes: Fictionalized slave narrative that explores the devastating events and effects of slavery as the protagonist would rather have her children dead than slaves. Published in 1987.
Autobiography of Malcolm X
Author: Alex Haley
Notes: Documents the various transformations of Malcolm X from young criminal to Civil Rights activist representing The Nation of Islam to forming concern for human rights. Published in 1965.
Death of Innocence: The Story of Hate Crime that Changed America
Author: Christopher Benson
Notes: Autobiography of Emmett Till’s mother and how her son’s murder changed her life and history. Published in 2004.
Bullwhip Days, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Confessions of Nat Turner; History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave; Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Voices from Slavery: 100 Authentic Slave Narratives, When I Was a Slave: Memoirs from the Slave Narrative Collection, Narrative of Sojourner Truth, Six Women's Slave Narratives, Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Remembers
Authors: Varies
Notes: In order to understand African American history, it is imperative that one understand why and under what conditions most African Americans ended up in America and the autobiographies of slaves should help form that conclusion.
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