George Carlin once said, "They found a cure for apathy, but there just wasn't much interest in it." The lack of rights for youth today is in part a direct result of apathy and disinterest on the part of young people. Those of us in the youth rights movement scratch our heads and wonder why many young people seem to be so oblivious to their own fate.

Practically every day, even more rights of young people are being signed, sold and delivered away by the government, at the behest of special interest groups like MADD and AAA.

How many teens have had no problem with their town enacting a curfew, until they get pulled over for violating it while returning home from working late? The sad fact is that when people are comfortable in their own lives, most seem to simply not care about threats to their rights. Some even notice the threats, or even are victims of the threats being carried out, and believe they must "deal with it" because of their age and because society demands it.

It is not too late for the youth of America to stand up and fight for the rights that they deserve as human beings.

It is very easy to lose one's rights, and very difficult to regain them.

Are you aware that even your right to read a book of your own choosing has long been in doubt? Right now, it is being threatened around the country even further in libraries, schools and US Congress.

How hypocritical is it for the United States to present itself as the vanguard of human rights around the world when its own young citizens are routinely handled as property in divorce settlements?

Even if you do not believe you are personally being harmed by age discrimination, chances are good that you are, either directly or indirectly.

Waiting and doing nothing while every lobbyist in Washington contributes their ideas for restricting your freedoms is not going to make things any better.

It is time for the Youth of America to wake up and stop hitting the snooze button.

We live in a country that supposedly espouses freedom, liberty, and justice for all, yet the very future of this country is routinely denied all three.

As a citizen of the United States, you have a right and a duty to stand up for your own rights and the rights of your fellow citizens. Regardless of how old you are.

How can you do this? First, you need to be aware of what is going on in the world around you.

Learn to read through the lines. Don't assume something you read in the newspaper, discover on the Internet, or see on television is true. There are so many sources of news today that there are ample opportunities to get a wide range of viewpoints.

Secondly, consider joining ASFAR and actively participating in our fight for the rights of young people.

Finally, remember that only one person can make a difference. Not only a small difference, but sometimes even a great one.

Don’t wait until it is too late. Take interest in the cure for apathy now, and young people of the future will have you to thank.

Eric Anderson

President, ASFAR

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