Equiano

      I have been in situations and conversations where I felt my right to an opinion was taken away, but I do not recall ever experiencing an extreme situation where my rights were severely infringed upon. I do however remember times where adults have ignored my opinion and thoughts about certain topics simply because I am a teenager. The adults that are neglecting to hear what teenagers and children have to say are forgetting something; we are the future of this world. We have just as much to offer as they do. Adults need to learn to try to communicate with and understand the youth of the world. On the other hand, the youth of the nation has to learn to respect their elders.
       One way that I protect my right to an opinion is by showing respect to adults. If I show respect to adults then they will be more open to what I have to say. I have learned that through experience. Adults that I have never talked to before are more of the problem because they assume that I will be disrespectful to them because of my age. Many young people are disrespectful to adults so I believe that if ALL young people can learn to respect adults, then their opinions will be heard more readily.