WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?
There's a lot going on in the world. It can feel overwhelming. By expressing your opinion and sharing it with YWP in writing and visual art, you can begin to make sense of things, build a connection with others, and work toward positive change. Speak out! What's on your mind?
In words or images, respond to YWP's opinion challenges. This list will keep growing along with the year's news and events. Your responses may be published in YWP's digital magazine and annual anthology and with our Vermont media partners. Your opinion matters!
Return to the main Opinion page.
[Illustration by Tess LaLonde, YWP Archive, 2019]
2023 OPINION CHALLENGES
Create your own opinion challenge and we'll include it in this list.
Floods – Record-breaking rain the week of July 9 has caused rivers to surge and flood communities, homes, businesses, and farmers' fields in Vermont and across western New England and New York. Have you been affected? Share your thoughts and photos.
Not Normal – "This is not normal, we are in a climate crisis." Using Amelia_v's statement and series of photos as inspiration, share your own thoughts about our "not normal" summer, in writing or visual art.
Wildfires – Wildfires in Canada have sent smoke and air pollution across Canada and the U.S. in the spring and summer. Describe the experience of seeing only dark, hazy skies for days. Take photos. Document your evidence that climate change is real.
Founders – Looking at America now, do you think this is what the founding fathers had in mind? How would they view the nation today? How do you view it?
TikTok – The US surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, warns that social media can be a “profound risk” to the mental health and well-being of young people. What do you think?
Held v. Montana – Sixteen young Montanans have sued their state, arguing that its support of fossil fuels violates the state Constitution that guarantees residents “the right to a clean and healthful environment.” Read about this landmark case.
Ode to a Tree – With Ice Blink's photo as inspiration, take a photograph of a favorite tree!
MLK-Love: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963] Respond to Dr. King's message of love and equality as it relates to America today.
A.I. – What do you think about Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, and whatever else is coming at us? Are we ready for this? Read "This Changes Everything" by Ezra Klein, New York Times.
Ukraine – In Year 2 of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, do you wonder how and when this war might end?
Homework – Write a persuasive essay on why there should be no homework.
Teaching Bans – With the rise of Trumpism, and scare stories by Republican politicians like Florida governor Ron DeSantis, high schools and colleges are being attacked for trying to teach "liberal propaganda.” What is your experience?
Tyre Nichols – "My son was a beautiful soul." Tyre Nichols' mother's words to describe the son she lost to a violent police beating on Jan. 7, 2023. Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was beaten by Memphis police officers after a traffic stop near his mother RowVaughn Wells' home. He died three days later. Five officers have been fired and charged with felonies including second-degree murder. President Bident called it "yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and brown Americans experience every single day.” Write about it.
Winter Changes: Climate change means changing seasons. Write about your own observations and the personal impact these changes have on you this winter. How has your winter changed?
There's a lot going on in the world. It can feel overwhelming. By expressing your opinion and sharing it with YWP in writing and visual art, you can begin to make sense of things, build a connection with others, and work toward positive change. Speak out! What's on your mind?
In words or images, respond to YWP's opinion challenges. This list will keep growing along with the year's news and events. Your responses may be published in YWP's digital magazine and annual anthology and with our Vermont media partners. Your opinion matters!
Return to the main Opinion page.
[Illustration by Tess LaLonde, YWP Archive, 2019]
2023 OPINION CHALLENGES
Create your own opinion challenge and we'll include it in this list.
Floods – Record-breaking rain the week of July 9 has caused rivers to surge and flood communities, homes, businesses, and farmers' fields in Vermont and across western New England and New York. Have you been affected? Share your thoughts and photos.
Not Normal – "This is not normal, we are in a climate crisis." Using Amelia_v's statement and series of photos as inspiration, share your own thoughts about our "not normal" summer, in writing or visual art.
Wildfires – Wildfires in Canada have sent smoke and air pollution across Canada and the U.S. in the spring and summer. Describe the experience of seeing only dark, hazy skies for days. Take photos. Document your evidence that climate change is real.
Founders – Looking at America now, do you think this is what the founding fathers had in mind? How would they view the nation today? How do you view it?
TikTok – The US surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, warns that social media can be a “profound risk” to the mental health and well-being of young people. What do you think?
Held v. Montana – Sixteen young Montanans have sued their state, arguing that its support of fossil fuels violates the state Constitution that guarantees residents “the right to a clean and healthful environment.” Read about this landmark case.
Ode to a Tree – With Ice Blink's photo as inspiration, take a photograph of a favorite tree!
MLK-Love: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963] Respond to Dr. King's message of love and equality as it relates to America today.
A.I. – What do you think about Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, and whatever else is coming at us? Are we ready for this? Read "This Changes Everything" by Ezra Klein, New York Times.
Ukraine – In Year 2 of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, do you wonder how and when this war might end?
Homework – Write a persuasive essay on why there should be no homework.
Teaching Bans – With the rise of Trumpism, and scare stories by Republican politicians like Florida governor Ron DeSantis, high schools and colleges are being attacked for trying to teach "liberal propaganda.” What is your experience?
Tyre Nichols – "My son was a beautiful soul." Tyre Nichols' mother's words to describe the son she lost to a violent police beating on Jan. 7, 2023. Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was beaten by Memphis police officers after a traffic stop near his mother RowVaughn Wells' home. He died three days later. Five officers have been fired and charged with felonies including second-degree murder. President Bident called it "yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and brown Americans experience every single day.” Write about it.
Winter Changes: Climate change means changing seasons. Write about your own observations and the personal impact these changes have on you this winter. How has your winter changed?
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