To the editor:

Referring to Leonard Pitts’ article on April 17, I agree that, “Fame is not what it used to be.”

It’s not every day that you hear somebody on your side, especially about a complex topic. Although the incident that occurred on March 30 (the brutal beating of Victoria Lindsay), was extremely disturbing, I can attest that teens are finding some disturbing ways to become “famous.” Every day at school, I hear about the things students are doing, because they think they are cool, whether it be beating someone up, gossiping or smoking. I believe these harmful acts should not receive attention or fame.

Once someone demonstrates such an act, others follow. As for the specific event of the brutal beating of Victoria Lindsay, I blame electronic media for allowing this type of video to be posted on YouTube.

Yes, these acts should be recognized as wrong, but they will continue should the electronic media continue to buy into an unfortunate definition of fame. Kids will do almost anything to receive the attention they want.

As a student at South Junior High School, I may be known as a “good girl,” but I know that I won’t be one of the people sitting in jail because I was charged with “seeking useless fame.”

Jasmine Brown,

Lawrence