Table of Contents

Winter 2012 Issue: Let's Talk About Sex

Cover Stories
Let's Talk about Sex
Sticks? Stones? Words.
My Hardest Choice
Protect Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself!
Re: Smushing
Does Mom Know Best?
Writing on the Wall
Dear VOX
1, 2, 3, 4 Tell Me That You Love Me More
Love Actually: Meaning of Love Contest Winners:

Black Identity

Dear Rap
Young (and Black) in America

Graduation Countdown

Foster the People
Tips for Keeping Your First Job

My Story
Skin I'm In
Funny Girl

Movies
The Oscar Goes To...
Must-See Movies

Featured Art in this Issue of VOX

Winter 2012 Issue Art
I Am Fashion
One of fashion designer Coco Chanel’s greatest sayings -- "I don’t do fashion, I am fashion." -- perfectly describes how each teen should think about personal style. This edition of VOX highlights different winter styles of teens around Atlanta. Remember, it may be a fierce winter, so layers are encouraged. Most of all, have fun with your look, and don’t be afraid to try new things. - Lydia Briggs, VOX Staff
Sweet Auburn - Final Word, Winter 2012
The Sweet Auburn neighborhood, coined by John Wesley Dobbs as “the richest Negro street in the world,” is more than just a historic site to visit in downtown Atlanta. I learned about the neighborhood’s history and how it supported leaders in the black community. As a photographer, I thought Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthplace was the only thing on Auburn Avenue of interest, but there was actually a lot to discover. I created the stick figures to represent the people from the 1960s neighborhood and today. As I photographed the neighborhood, I felt a part the African-American neighborhood atmosphere. I walked past the Victorian-style homes that go back as far as the 1890s. I learned that the people who grew up in this neighborhood became mayors, principals, doctors, lawyers, pastors, civil rights activists and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) members. I’ve waited for this opportunity since I was 9 years old. Taking photos of Dr. King’s house and neighborhood was something I will never forget. —Photos and statement by Travon Bracey / VOX Staff
 

Hey, Readers

Happy New Year! 2012 is finally here, and we hope you had a wonderful holiday season. But it’s time to get back to business. Starting off this exciting new year, we are giving VOX readers some new perspectives on sex and relationships. We hope you find the stories helpful and that you’ll share them with friends in your school and community.

You can read all about sex and relationships in this issue. Our stories focus on sexual harrassment, abortion, HIV/AIDS awareness, sex on TV, having the sex talk with your parents and more. Check out a ton of resources from Stanley, who offers some important statistics about how sex influences the lives of teens today. Need some advice about having “The Talk” with your parents? Check out Jasmine's story called "Does Mom Know Best?"

Wait, there’s more! February is Black History Month, and our writers give information and perspectives about black identity, from a break-up letter with Rap to a photo essay of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial dedication in Washington, D.C. You can also explore the historic neighborhood of Sweet Auburn with photojournalist Travon, on the back cover.

In our sports section, read Mahmood’s story about surviving a high-speed bicycle crash and how Christian overcame her own lacrosse injury. VOX provides some vital stats on kids’ sports injuries and tips on how to stay safe.

On a lighter note, are you wondering who will win an Oscar this year? Check out Taj’s predictions on who will win statues at the 84th Academy Awards.

We also want to remind you that VOX is now accepting applications for the 2012 VOX Media Café, our immersive summer program for teens. Applications are available on our website at voxteencommunications.org/mediacafe.

Happy reading!

-Travon Bracey and Courtney Farmer, VOX Staff

Poetry in this Issue

God's Life Plan for Me by Eddie Current
Trust Issues by Kendrick K. Faust
Queen by Danielle Jackson
Dark Beauty by Mohammed Joudeh
Life by Lydia Mathis
Love by Aaliyah McCants
The V Word by Sarah Pass
Reality by Tavaris Pitts
Dark Night by Jordan Price
The Blood from a Voice by Jasmine Thomas
Teen Rebellion, Not a Teen Stalin by Mahmood Thompson
Why Don't I Quit? by Quantez Tyre

Are you an artist or poet? Submit your original artwork or poetry for The Wall. 

Mail: 229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 725, Atlanta, GA 30303. Email: editor@voxrox.org.

Don't forget to include your name, age, grade and school.  

About this issue's cover

I interviewed the model on VOX’s cover, Courtney Atkinson, a sophomore at DeKalb School for the Arts, who offered a lot of insight about the inspiration for this edition: Let’s Talk about Sex. Courtney thought the cover is a great representation of the articles within this issue. Although she volunteered to model for the cover, Courtney felt a little uncomfortable because, to take the photo, she had to stand on display for the photographer, Stanley Stewart. She got a taste of what it means to be a model! Courtney thinks the cover will grab teens’ attention because of the bare legs, the headline and the caution tape on her heels. The caution tape represents the tone for most of the stories in this issue, that teens should be cautious and careful if they choose to be sexually active.

- Written by Brianna Curtis, VOX Staff. Cover Concept by Stanley Stewart, VOX Staff.

VOX Topics

VOX publishes metro Atlanta's only non-censored teen newspaper. No subject is off-limits. Click on the links below to browse recent articles from the paper.