Voices from the classroom

By Sojourner Marable
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, Georgia

(CNN Student Bureau) -- As President-elect George W. Bush gets reacquainted with the White House -- his parents' home for four years -- young people are starting to think about the new administration with a combination of optimism and skepticism.

Like the opinions in Washington, the students' viewpoints span the political spectrum. These views tend to reflect personal concerns as much as political ideologies.

The economy is a common concern among youths. "I think President Bush has to focus on keeping the economy from taking a nosedive," said Jennifer Ross, 17, from Connecticut's Norwich Free Academy.

But while most teens said that the economy is important, not all agree on what to do about it.

"I believe that the president should raise the minimum wage as high as possible," said Thomasville High School junior Brandon Jackson from Thomasville, Georgia.

Wages issues also affect the educational system, youths said. "The new president should mandate and increase the base salary for teachers," said Georgia State University student Edie Thornton.

But handling the economy involves more than just salaries, teens said. Brian Sernulka, also a Georgia State student, said Bush should use his own experience in the oil business to do something about energy costs -- especially in light of soaring gas prices and the California power crisis.

Other young people said that Bush should focus on issues he isn't commonly associated with, such as civil rights.

"I think that he should address affirmative action issues and allow affirmative action to still continue to thrive in the United States," said Adam Davis, a Clark Atlanta University graduate student.

Clark Atlanta senior Samantha Brittenham, a Fort Worth, Texas, native, took issue with Bush's record as her governor, especially on racial matters.

"George Bush did not adequately address the issues of hate crimes, in particular with James Byrd," said Brittenham, referring to the Jasper, Texas, man who was chained to a pickup truck and brutally dragged to his death by white supremacists in 1998. "(Byrd's) daughter did ask (Bush) to sign a hate crime bill due to that incident, and he did not. I think that he needs to address that issue."

Besides civil rights, some students spoke about needed improvements in education and social programs. Others said the newly elected 43rd president should strengthen the military and that they would like to see the United States be more effective in foreign affairs.

The prolonged election last year captivated adults and teens alike. Some students, such as Ross, question Bush's legitimacy as president.

"I do not think that President Bush is a legitimate president. We really don't know who is, because with the Supreme Court decision they decided not to count every vote in the country," Ross said. "What happened to the saying, 'Your vote counts.' Apparently in Florida, it does not."

But just as many, if not more, teens said they thought that Bush deserved to be president.

"Bush is the rightful president of the United States," said Chris Konow of Connecticut. "The Supreme Court decided that he is the rightful president, and no matter how many lawsuits or protests are filed, he is still our president, and we should respect that."

"I do believe he is the legitimate president for our nation," concurred Joseph Tarantino, a Georgia State student. "He won many of the recounts, and I think he will do well in office."