Bricks, hedge balls and tomatoes? Today's youths don't look so bad

Goodness knows we hear plenty of negative things about young people. They send text messages to each other while driving when they should be paying attention to the road. They hold their own dances so they can gyrate the way they want. They are too independent.

"Oh," we've heard it said, "what's wrong with kids these days?"

Not much, we respond, compared to things we read and hear from days gone by. Consider this piece from Monday's "a look back," a collection of news items pulled from the Journal's archives, including bits from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago. It's a regular feature in our weekly Neighbors section, which is distributed to counties around Salina.

Oct. 22, 1934: "No official action between schools had been taken today between Salina and Abilene school officials as regards the latest outbreak between students following Friday night's Salina victory at Abilene.

"After Friday's game, Abilene students armed with tomatoes, hedge balls, eggs, green apples, bricks and other throwing paraphernalia which made it appear the attack had been planned, set upon on a number of Salina cars, seriously damaging some with body dents and broken windshields and window glass, while another had its top slit and all of the wiring yanked out."

We've heard similar tales from older folks who tell of street fights and a post-game ruckus or two, which were not uncommon in those days.

Fast forward to 2009 and Friday night's football game between Salina Central and Salina South high schools. To say this is an intense rivalry is an understatement. The game routinely draws overflow crowds to Salina Stadium.

Despite the passion and packs of people, there were no coordinated attacks on vehicles. Fans were loud but not lousy. Sure, there likely was some mischief but nothing like decades ago.

The same good behavior can be seen in rivalries across the state. Multiple fights and mass vandalism are bygone events. Based on the quality of young people we see today, we are very confident those stories will remain in the past.

-- Tom Bell

Editor and Publisher

822-1491

tbell@saliina.com

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Hawk says....
There ya go Tommy Boy,kid pushes a teacher causing a concussion and another threats others with a knife and tire iron. You tell me what's wrong with them. Don't get over confident.
10/25/2009

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dragonbabe67 says....
As bad as vandalism is now or then, at least then we didn't hear of kids raping or killing other kids or adults like some of them do today!
10/20/2009

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Hawk says....
NO RESPECT would be a great answer to that stupid question Bell!!
10/20/2009

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says....
You must have never lived in the Chapman or Abilene School districts. Both sides have committed acts of vandalism in recent years. Maybe not as bad as pelting cars with bricks, but they've done other really stupid stuff.
10/20/2009

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