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Pope Benedict's Visit
With the Pope visiting the United States this week, we thought it would be interesting to find out what some young Catholics have to say about their religious practice and the significance of the Pope. Youth Radio asked Leslye Salinas and Jazmin Escobar to weigh in. (April 15th on NPR's Day to Day)
By Leslye Salinas and Jazmin Escobar
Q-RADIO
Youth Radio’s First Media Production Workshop focused on “Queer” or GLBTQ (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender and Questioning) Youth and Allies. This workshop focused on issues that concern queer youth, including the lack of young queer voices in the media.
By Youth Radio
Thrift Stores
In the United States, shopping at a thrift store has become popular enough to earn a slang term, “thrifting.” Youth Radio’s Kelly Douglas is way ahead of the trend. The Grady High School senior has been thrifting since the age of 11. (March 29th on WABE)
By Kelly Douglas
Benefits of a Cell Phone
For many high school (and even middle school) students, cell phones are a necessity. However, for Youth Radio’s Barbara Dougherty, it wasn’t until recently that she was able to experience the benefits of staying in touch with friends and family members. (March 22nd on WABE)
By Barbara Dougherty
Successful Competition
For most high school seniors, competition is something they are forced to deal with on a daily basis. However, for Youth Radio Atlanta’s Janna Kaplan, competition isn’t viewed as something stressful and unnerving, but as “the energy of success.” (March 8th on WABE)
By Janna Kaplan
Sexuality: Unacceptable
Candlelight vigils and rallies continue in honor of Lawrence "Larry" King, a 15-year-old who was shot at his Middle School in Oxnard, California. Larry was bullied at school for being openly gay and also gender non-conforming -- he wore women's clothing and make-up on occasion -- and it is thought that his identity provoked another student to kill him. Youth Radio's Anne Santos reminds us that it wasn't just Larry King's life that was affected by violent homophobia. Here's her own story of when she was assaulted for being gay, and how her family still feels the trauma.
By Anne Santos
It's Black History Month!
For some, Black History month is a time for remembering those who have made everlasting impressions on this nation and the world; historical figures like Harvey Smith, Tupac Shakur and Barack Obama. For others, it’s a time of commemorating community activists who have made an impact on black neighborhoods through their day to day dedication. However you feel, you should celebrate Black History, and take a moment to see what Youth Radio staff and students have to say about Black History Month.
By Youth Radio staff and students
First Dates
Many parents feel that their high school-aged children aren’t ready for the responsibilities of dating and relationships. And while this is often a bone of contention between parents and their children, 17-year-old Hannah Johnson from Blunt Youth Radio couldn’t agree more.
By Hannah Johnson
Watchu Lookin’ At?
Youth Radio's Orlando Campbell lives in San Francisco where government officials have installed surveillance cameras to try and lower the city's crime rate. Officials have also decided to ban gang members from neighborhoods known for violence. Orlando does not feel either injunction will help lower crime rate in San Francisco; he believes it’s just a way to racially profile young minorities.
By Orlando Campbell
Reinstate the draft
Paul Katzman says he has found the solution to getting teenagers involved with politics and speaking out against the war: reinstating the draft.
By Paul Katzman
Kids Choose to be Bad Drivers
Pace Maynard disagrees with the notion that teens drive poorly because their brains are not fully developed. He has another theory.
By Pace Maynard
No Complaints
We are all familiar with the saying, "actions speak louder than words." Youth Radio’s Seth Langer believes that these five words can be used to prevent wars, fight global warming and pass the SAT.
By Seth Langer
Disrespect is the New Chivalry
"It seems like, for many guys in my generation, disrespect has become the new chivalry."
By Alana Germany
Shooting is the New Fighting
"This ain’t the wild wild west no matter how badly some wish it were."
By Mike Ginsburg
We're Being Watched!
"This is just a way for police to profile teens, especially young Latino and black men."
By Orlando Campbell
Genarlow Wilson and Age of Consent
"Eric Johnson is Republican president pro tem of the Georgia Senate. He admits that age limits are arbitrary, but says that they have to be set somewhere…"
By Alix Black
Alameda Shooting
""Unlike neighboring Oakland, a city with one of the highest crime rates in the country, this is Alameda’s first homicide of the year."
By Caitlin Grey
Police Misconduct
"I’m always a little worried that a cop giving me a sideways glance might decide that I look like a young terrorist who needs to be put away."
By Luis Sierra
MySpace vs. Facebook
"About two years ago, I found a place to let my alter ego run wild. That’s when I became a social networking junkie"
By Leon Sykes
School Shooting
"In the wake of last week’s shooting at a high school in Cleveland, Ohio Youth Radio correspondents from across the country weigh in about safety and violence in schools. Youth discuss their own safety, analyze the factors that contribute to school shootings, and suggest possible solutions to the problem. "
By Youth Radio
Uplifting Women In Hip Hop
Chris feels there should be more uplifting messages about woman in Hip Hop music culture.
By Caitlin Grey
Manhood
Youth Radio's Noel Ramon disagrees with world of gender roles.
By Noel Ramon
Fall TV Faux Pas
Youth Radio’s Caitlin Grey has noticed a disturbing trend in shows geared toward young women.
By Youth Radio
"Sagging" Against the Law
Cities across Louisiana have outlawed "sagging" as a form of public indecency and similar legislation was recently proposed in Atlanta.
By Youth Radio
Jena Protests
Youth Radio’s Jiarra Jackson traveled to Jena, Louisiana to join more than 10,000 demonstrators protesting the treatment of the "Jena Six."
By Jiarra Jackson
Corporate Conundrum
"Borders, Subway, and Starbucks are everywhere, but convenience can’t replace the feeling of home."
By Caitlin Grey
Tower of Terror?
"A building like this could make our city a greater terrorist magnet."
By Alana Germany
Misfit
Youth Radio's Vato Tony saw a pre-teen holding-up a guy on the street in broad daylight. It inspired him to write a rap for this installment of the Cholo Misfit News...
By Vato Tony
N-Word Discussion
Youth Radio host Alana Germany sat down with YR's Pendarvis Hardshaw and Ayesha Walker to dicuss the usage of the N-Word.
By Alana Germany
Bathing Ape
"I wasn't the only one with hearts in my eyes when considering the hoodies..."
By Ayesha Walker
In Death
"...his death has gained national media attention. But do you know the names of the other seven people shot to death in the city of Oakland that weekend?"
By Pendarvis Harshaw
Chauncey Bailey Remembrance
"When was the last time OPD solved a murder in 24 hours, when they have the suspect and the gun? How did they pull together this big squad of police from around the bay in 24 hours?"
By King Anyi Howell
Going Green
"Everyone’s 'going green'-- using alternative energy and of course, buying the latest eco-friendly products."
By Alana Germany
A Brand New Juvenile Hall
Youth Radio's Ramiro Barajas shares his story and discusses the pros and cons of having a new center for juvenile offenders.
By Ramiro Barajas
C-C-C-Coffee!
"For my friends, coffee is almost as essential as oxygen."
By Ankitha Bharadwaj
Babyquitter
"Unlike my friends who coo and aww at little ones, I feel a sense of dread, imagining a life after graduation bound by babies."
By Lauren Silverman
Going Broke for Graduation
"For many people, prom is the most expensive part of senior year..."
By Deirdre Gibson
MySpace Advertisements
"...Many young people do interact with ad characters and products as if they have a friendship."
By Jordan Monroe
V Tech panel
In response to the Virginia Tech tragedy that shocked the nation, Youth Radio’s Bill Lewis Jr., Ankitha Bharadwaj, and Terry Taplin sat down to discuss the state of school safety.
By Youth Radio
Reaction to Virginia Tech
Youth Radio's Monica Magaña interviews Nico Savidge about the devistating Virginia Tech incident.
Not Unless it Falls Off a Truck
"I wasn't the only one with hearts in my eyes when considering the hoodies..."
By Ayesha Walker
Caught in the Middle
"This time, when my friends ask me about immigration reform, I won’t lie. For me, there is a lot of gray area..."
By Antony Jaureguí
Reporter's Notebook
"They’re full of hope, which is amazing to me because each person has been through so much."
By Jennifer Marshall
Violence: Blacksburg to Richmond
"About the same number of people that were killed in the university shooting get shot here almost every month."
By Ayesha Walker, Youth Radio
Killings in Richmond
"There’s so much violence, it restricts my freedom..."
By Devante Kelly
Teach Me to Drive!
"In the past, I’ve had a few bad driving experiences..."
By Monica Magaña
Adults Just Like Kids
"Our society has wrongly defined people my age as gossipy, cliquey, and otherwise immature; in actuality, this behavior is practiced by full-fledged adults every day of the week."
By Sarah Beth McKay
Racist Gamers
"Now, you’re probably thinking, why don’t I just quit playing games? But after dealing with these people for almost three years now, I’ve gotten used to it."
By Bill Lewis
Disrespectful Teens
"Young people have virtually no reverence for anything or anyone..."
By Emma Alexander
White is the Color of My Skin
"One name I absolutely cannot stand is also the one I’m called most often: 'snow bunny'..."
By Jennifer Marshall
Going Natural
"Throughout my entire life, my hair’s natural texture has been treated like the delinquent cousin that everyone knows is there, but never speaks about."
By Natalia Brown
Black Is
"I finally began to understand that having any black in you, you embody the black experience..."
By Karissa Harden
No Christmas
"By not celebrating Christmas [...] I learned how to be truly thankful for my family and what I have."
By Brittany Lamb
Got Shot
"People act differently when somebody pulls a gun on them. Some people talk back...but most of the time, people do what I do, they just freeze."
By Julio Jaquez
War on Christmas
"Bill O’Reilly warned that this war was upon us. He told us all about those secular progressives who were trying to water down Christmas..."
By Nico Savidge
N-Bomb
"The word has its past in the dehumanizing period of black slavery."
By Dru Harshaw
Turf Hats
"Imagine seeing a whole bunch of guys in one spot wearing the same hat – that image of one group symbolizes power."
By Ayesha Walker
My Life in Coffee Shops
"Out of the eighty-three problem sets I've solved for physics class this year, I think over two-thirds of them were completed at a coffee shop."
By Maureen Dougherty
Peer Pressure
"On Sundays, my friend Courtney invites me to join her and her family to go to church. That’s peer pressure – but the good kind!"
By Andre Munford
Becoming AWARE
"The idea of an all-white group still evokes images of Ku Klux Klan meetings and it just sounds weird to some people."
By Clare Robbins
In Their Footsteps
"Adults make all the difference in our lives. Kids don’t become violent teens without bad role models."
By Courtney Henderson
Growing Up Biracial
"Being biracial has also helped me in many ways. I was able to get the unique red hair that I have, from relatives on both sides of my family."
By Will Jackson
Mean People Suck!
"Displacing your anger is always misguided and it hurts everyone involved."
By Phillip Harvey
23 Hour Lockdown
"Investigations into the most recent suicide found answers the Division of Juvenile Justice did not want to hear [...] kids have been caged and subjected to extended lockdowns enforcing weeks and weeks of isolation."
By Sara Harris
Street Dreamin'
"It’s not that my brother and I are unappreciative or ungrateful when it comes to the cars in our driveway, we just feel like we can do a lot better than what we have."
By Ryan Baxter
Church Hiatus
"Growing up, I didn't pray regularly throughout the week - I would try to cram it all into Sunday. With my truancy from church, I felt the fear of somehow losing my religion and the guilt of being an inert Christian."
By Brandon McFarland
The Nappy Chronicles
"Among Black people, 'good hair' is defined by its length and texture. I grew up with the idea that long, straight hair is beautiful...and kinky, thick hair with nappy roots is unacceptable."
By Bianca Butler
Holla' At Me...Or Not
"I worry about what would happen if a man one day decides to do more than yell obscene things."
By Darlene Etuk
Return of the "Girly-Girl"
"I think girls should be encouraged to look beyond gender roles but not to automatically shun anything considered 'girly.'"
By Alix Black
Youth Radio & Mission Girls Meet Mayor Gavin Newsom
This summer, Youth Radio's Outreach Team led weekly workshops at Mission Girls, a non-profit organization based in San Francisco. Together, the group produced a video called "A Letter to the Mayor." For the project, the young women talked about what they want to change in education, immigration, and their communities. On Wednesday, August 9, the girls met with Mayor Newsom and presented the video. They also recieved a tour of his office, and listened to women from city government talk about their careers.
Remembering Charles Fort Jr.
Charles Fort Jr., pictured right with his son, was killed by gun violence in front of his North Oakland home on July 13. He had participated in Youth Radio's juvenile justice program this summer, and planned to enroll in another outreach program that he would have started this week. Youth Radio would like to celebrate and honor Fort's life.
Up in Smoke: Drugs in Urban Communities
"I wish more kids understood the truth about what happens to themselves and their community when they take drugs."
By LaQuan Roker
Curfew
"Most violent crime is committed by adults, not teens."
By Sandra Quel
One of a Kind
"I’ve lived in all different types of neighborhoods and met numerous people of different backgrounds. I’ve always been able to accept everyone for who they are."
By Yserdia Cornish
Babies and Bullets
"I live in a city where the homicide count is constantly rising like gas prices. At the same time, I’ve got four family members expecting children, and three friends with kids on the way. It seems as if every time a teenager gives birth, another teenager dies."
By Pendarvis Harshaw
DNA of the Black Experience
"When you go from being a black boy to a black man, you start to understand police will use deadly force on you. I could sneeze and get shot to death."
By Anyi Howell
The Many Faces of Beauty
"I try to look at commercials objectively because it’s important for young women like me to know how to view advertising in a way that lets us build our own ideas of beauty and sexiness."
By Arian Fay-Gutierrez
Black on the Outside?
"When I transferred from an all white private school to a racially diverse public school, other blacks saw me on the surface as too soft and bubbly, and at the same time white kids wondered why I didn’t act like the stereotypical black girl."
By Morgan Gardner
Singing the Blues
"I am 23 years old and I'm in love with the blues. But I often feel this relationship is destined for heartbreak. You see, I can't seem to find my love anywhere[...]"
By Jordan Monroe
Keeping My Roots
"But wait a minute; by transforming into mini-Miss-America, am I being faithful to my Indian heritage?"
By Ankitha Bharadwaj
Judge Me By My Cover
"Icons on our clothing should be a celebration of famous people’s lives, not just a way for t-shirt manufacturers to capitalize on their notoriety."
By Adia Harris
Growing Community
"Estamos como si estuvieramos allá en el pueblo, trabajando, se distrae uno."
By Clare Robbins
Daddy's Home
"Even though my dad was only 19 when he and my mother had my brother, Dad refused to let us grow up in a single parent home like the one he grew up in. He broke the chain."
By Tania Dowdy
Leaving the Mountains
"Here, leaving the mountains is a rite of passage, just like crossing the border might be for others. I hear kids every day making plans about their future, and Eastern Kentucky isn’t a part of that."
By Machlyn Blair
Hyphy Nation -- The Bay Area's Movement
"It's like having the holy ghost...something just comes over you, and you just start moving."
By Tapan Munshi
The Art of Multi-tasking
"We sprint from one machine to the next, newspaper clutched in sweaty palms all for the satisfaction that comes with completing our to do list."
By Lauryn Silverman
MySpace Friends
"Since I’m a guy, I understand there’s a big double standard when it comes to meeting people, especially on the Internet."
By Charles Turner
Employee Theft
"I would never steal from my employer because I’m grateful they hired me."
By Nyssa Daniels
Girl Rules
"If you’re a female like me, there’s a long list of rules we supposedly have to follow to even be considered attractive."
By Laura Okonokhua
Part Black or Not
"I wish I had an obvious physical connection to the past so I wouldn’t constantly have to justify my curly hair, skin tone, and even my body shape."
By Sophia Chakos-Leiby
Growing Grillz
"Some words of advice to everybody that wants to be like Nelly…Be careful where you smile."
By Orlando Campbell
My Addiction, My Weakness, MySpace.com
"I couldn’t get enough, I had to log on day after day. checking to see if I was lucky enough to have the little red sentence that said new messages."
By Sonjay Amos
Remembering Mrs. King
Coretta Scott King, widow of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., passed away in her sleep on January 31, 2006. Mrs. King dedicated her life to Dr. King's vision of racial justice and non-violent social change after his assassination in 1968. Mrs. King will be remembered for her tiredless efforts in honoring her husband's legacy.
» Click here for an article on Coretta Scott King.
Fundraising for Columbine
After learning of the Columbine High tragedy in 1999, then 14 year-old Rashad Williams of San Francisco used his talents as a track star to raise $40,000 for a Columbine victim by running in the Bay-to-Breakers Race. His heroic fundraising efforts gained national attention with appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Good Morning America." Unfortunately, in December 2005, Rashad was fatally shot during a home invasion. We honor his memory with this piece from our archives that captures his true spirit of making a difference.
Military Recruiters
"The Pentagon claims to allow a teen to opt out, but the information is only put in a so-called 'suppression file' and still updated on a regular basis"
By Paul Katzman
Race Relations and MLK
"It’s important to teach in our schools, the legacy of MLK Jr. because we still live in a racist society unfortunately."
By Jennifer Obakhume
Martin Luther King, Jr
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr delivered his infamous "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Now, 43 years later, his powerful message of freedom still resonates in society. Although Dr. King's dream has not been fully realized, its impact is still evident in the lives of young people today. Youth Radio students reflect on his legacy as they remember the words of the late, great Dr. King.
Growing Up in a Coal Community
"If you decide to stay here it means that you've chosen coal as a part of who you are."
By Natasha Watts
First Christmas in the US
"Christmas is not really about expensive gifts. It is about cherishing what you have and being with your family, even when you’re far from home."
By Cassandra Gonzalez
New Year’s Resolutions
"I’m not really sure why we always promise ourselves a change that never seems to happen – or rather, a change we never make."
By Katie Soo
A Scourge in the ’Hood
"Before I turned 21, I could get a tall can of malt liquor for less than a dollar."
By Anyi Howell
50% Off
"Stores are always having their random discount days during the week—they’re probably just so random that we don’t notice them."
By Katie Soo
Online Blogging
"But if parents took the time to ask what their kids are doing online, they’d find out, we’re not just rotting our minds."
By Lisa Aultman
Music Cliques
"My friends and I listen to mostly rock so I’m often categorized as somebody who is criminal or just plain weird."
By Kaylene Ogden
Let Me Choose My Beliefs
"It was borderline traumatizing to find out maybe what I’d been believing wasn’t true."
By Brandon McFarland
Girl Kissers
"I don’t think this phenomena reflects an open-minded society ready to embrace the LGBT community. To me, it reflects a power structure controlled by the superficial desires of straight men."
By Sophia Chakos-Leiby
Katrina, Race, and High School
"Hurricane Katrina helped me see that some of my classmates are facing serious barriers to success, just like those trapped in New Orleans during the hurricane."
By Bly Lauritano-Werner
Millions More Movement
"Even at a young age, I understood the importance of the March being televised, to combat the stereotype that African Americans could not gather in peace."
By Anyi Howell
San Francisco Police Department
"I know Craig was no angel, but he didn’t deserve to die like he did. That’s what we deal with on a daily basis in my neighborhood."
By Elmer Clark
Bopper Nation
"The thought of having a fourteen-year-old girl on my arm is far from my idea of romance."
By Pendarvis Harshaw
Voices from a Forgotten Valley
Earlier this year, two girls found the body of a murdered youth on their way to school in Visitacion Valley. This little known San Francisco district has had a history of neglect, poverty and violence, and in recent years has seen a rise in gun related youth homicides. Unfortunately this scenario is not limited to Visitacion Valley, but is occurring in other cities in California and across America. The recounting of the girls' discovery serves as the launching point for a Youth Radio probe into the impact of violence on the lives of youth attempting to grow up in the Valley.
A Victim of Racial Profiling
"It's a part of the DNA of our experience in the United States."
By Anyi Howell
Youth-Police Forum
Many conflicts involving young people and police are a result of mutual misunderstandings due to cultural differences between law enforcement and youth of color. Youth Radio is proud to have hosted a forum featuring Q&A with a panel of local police representatives, community advocates and youth. This event was organized by Youth Radio students and staff who themselves have recently experienced negative interactions with police. The event’s purpose was to create a safe place to build trust through mutual understanding through a community dialogue. Trust is necessary to create safe communities and ensure effective public safety.
» Online Exclusive: View photos from the Youth-Police Forum
Not Safe in Richmond
"All of a sudden, they all started punching, stomping, and kicking me."
By Erick Hernandez
Living in Richmond
"In Sacramento I felt secure riding my bike, taking long walks and riding the bus, but since I moved to Richmond, I’ve lost those privileges."
By Bianca Butler
Stereotypes
"I thought about it more I realized the people on the bus considered the people at the barbecue a threat."
By Nico Savidge
Teen Drivers
"Kids keep the music loud and they do quick turns just to clown their friends. But, it’s not funny when lives are lost."
By Laura Okonokhua
The End of a News Era
"It seems like a teenager would be the last person to say this, but I think we need some more traditional anchors who will just tell us what happened that day."
By Nico Savidge
From Baghdad to Baseball
From Baghdad to baseball, Youth Radio producers talk with reporters from the Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle about their experiences covering the Iraq war, the BALCO case and the state of journalism. Meet Steve Fainaru, a reporter who was embedded with the U.S. military in Iraq, and his brother Mark Fainaru-Wada, who broke one of the biggest stories in the sports world...alleged widespread drug use by top athletes. (August 13 on KPFA)
Listen to an interview with Steve
Listen to an interview with Mark
Watts Riots and the Younger Generation
"Youth living in Watts today are 40 years removed form the riots in 1965, so their information is second or third hand."
By Natalia Brown
My Filipino Roots
"Some people say I should be proud to be Filipino, but how can I be proud of something I don't even know about?"
By Alex Espinoza
Live Strong
"Hey sunny, you never told me why you wear that wristband, it doesn’t even go with what you’re wearing!"
By Ayesha Walker
Phatty Girl
"As a matter of fact, I had never even considered myself a fat girl."
By Emily Schmookler
My Friend, Meleia
"I couldn’t stop the tears from flooding my face as I approached the mass of burning candles and incense, pictures, letters, and notes written on the ground in chalk."
By Emily Schmookler
College Drinking
"At 18 we can already buy tobacco products, be drafted into the military, and vote. But we still can’t drink."
By Nora Harrington
Drop Out Purgatory
"When you’re getting up in age, you realize there’s a world outside your house."
By Quincy Mosby
SBC & AT&T Merger
On June 14th, 2005, the Public Utilities Commission held a public hearing about the
possible merger of SBC and AT&T, which would consolidate these two large corporations into one very powerful communications company. Youth Radio’s Emily Schmookler was one of the few young people present.
By Emily Schmookler
The Great Divide
"When it comes to engineering, the lack of girls and women is glaring."
By Anna Alexander
Cherry Blossom Days
"Entering into American society, where it’s okay to question everything, made me feel uncomfortable at first."
By Jazmine Livingston
School Colors
"As I approached her table, I quickly realized that I was totally out of place."
By Jasmine Mola
The New School Fight
"These aren’t just petty little fights, they are more serious. One of my friends was nearly stabbed by another student."
By Jasmine Brown
Locker Room
"It’s just as racist as any other city when it comes to who’s dating whose daughter."
By Anyi Howell
Tattling for Money
"The program is designed to bust kids in places like the locker rooms, where security cameras aren't allowed, but all the students know what’s happening."
By Natalie Streiter
Why You Should Stop Eating Meat
"If Americans substantially cut the amount of food fed to livestock, we could prevent thousands of people from starving."
By Miriam Archibong
Teens Talk About Sex
One in six teenage girls in Washington, D.C. becomes pregnant compared to the national average of one in ten. It seems natural to turn to teens for their opinions about this serious issue. The hosts of Teen Talk, a show from Youth Radio DC and Latin American Youth Center Youth Center, speak to a teen mother about her experiences, featuring commentaries by Elvira Arias, Sandra Quel, and Liana Castro.
The Itch for Knowledge
"There are so many experiences and so much knowledge that shape the way we see the world, you should never resist learning anything!"
By Sarah Taylor
NFCB's Youth Conference
Last month, a group of Youth Radio students and staff headed out to Baltimore, Maryland for the 2005 National Youth in Radio Training Project Conference for a weekend of workshops, listening sessions, and hands-on intensives. Hear Youth Radio's Jazmine Livingston's vision for the future of radio.
Cinco de Mayo Legends
The Mexican people declared independence from colonial Spanish rule on September 16th, 1810, not on May 5th, 1862. Urban legends about Cinco de Mayo abound and seem to be growing, especially in southern California's Inglewood, where demographics are shifting from Black to Mexican and Latino. Listen to Youth Radio L.A.'s students discuss the tensions that this day, ususally resereved for celebration, has recently brought up.
Dress Code
"There are some things I would never wear at school, but I do bend the rules."
By Rachel Krantz
Earth Day Perspective
"The janitors walk around the school picking trash up all day, and people still have the guts to throw their trash onto the ground."
By Kandyce Harris
Radio Is Not What It Used to Be
"I hear the same artists making replicas of the same song that came out last month, day in, day out."
By Jennifer Miller
Visitacion Valley
"I never experienced gun violence while I was living in east Oakland, but since I moved to I’ve actually had guns pointed at me."
By Jasmenda Brown
Hopi High Responds
In this series of commentaries, students from Hopi High School respond to the recent school shooting in Red Lake, Minnesota.
Everyone Needs a Mentor
Youth Radio’s Cassandra Gonzalez believes all kids and young adults should have a mentor to help them find their path in life.
Dieting for Prom
"Even if I find myself looking at a piece of bread my mom has something to say."
By Kacey Ward
Inquiring Minds Want to Know...
"I realize that I am not alone in my ignorance. There are others whose St. Patrick’s Day knowledge is, at best, minimal."
By Maya Trabin
Who is St. Patrick
"He was ordained a priest and sent to Ireland to minister the Irish Christians."
By Jordan Monroe
L.A.'s Skid Row
"I’ve known poverty first-hand, but when I started work at a transitional housing agency on Skid Row, I was nervous and intimidated."
By Trinidad Cisneros
Terror Alert
"The terror alert levels, and those oh-so-lovely colors, have always seemed silly to me."
By Alix Black
A Concert Dilemma
"I felt terrible...but also mildly excited. Would I get to go to the concert after all?"
By Rachel Krantz
Vietnam in Me
"It seems like race in America is usually reduced to black and white. For a long time I felt like if I wasn't black, I must be basically white."
By Katri Foster
Teens Talk About Sex
As part of "Talk With Your Teen About Sex Month," Youth Radio’s Shanay Thomas gets together with her twin sister and friend to discuss their thoughts about sex. With so many different messages coming out of the media about what teens are actually doing and what they should be doing, it’s no surprise that Shanay and her friends didn’t always agree.
Interracial Dating
"I still hope that we, as a society, are beginning to gradually accept interracial couples."
By Russell Owens
Acknowledging Black History Month
"Though I have always noticed that my school doesn't acknowledge Black History Month, now that I am a senior, I feel there should be a change."
By Janee Wafer
Remembering The Past
"While I do know some things about my history, I would like to learn more."
By Nakkaila Hayes
Apathy in America
"Somehow, Americans have lost their ability to empathize with people outside their own community."
By Alice Bufkin
Growing Up In a Sheltered Community
"I am surprised by the fact that I have not heard one thing to promote Black History Month at my school or within my community."
By Alex Espinoza
Remembering The Past
"While I do know some things about my history, I would like to learn more."
By Nakkaila Hayes
Teen Tobacco
"It seems like teens have either forgotten about cancer, or they just don't care."
By Ian Hall
Growing Up In a Sheltered Community
"I am surprised by the fact that I have not heard one thing to promote Black History Month at my school or within my community."
By Alex Espinoza
To Sag or Not to Sag?
"I unbuckled my loosely tied belt, grabbed the east & west sides of my waistline, and yanked my jeans up to my belly button.."
By Brandon McFarland
Why the Superstition?
"I don't think the New Year should be defined by the zodiac characters because it just seems too unrealistic."
By Peter Xuan
Single On the Day of Love
"Maybe it's worth it to take Valentines Day for what it is: an opportunity to eat lots of chocolate and appreciate your other single friends."
By Rachel Krantz
Chinese New Year: An Israeli Perspective
"Chinese New Year was for my family and me a glimpse into the lives we all lived before being seen merely as immigrants."
By Maya Trabin
Military Dad
"I remember when my dad used to go overseas for a year at a time, and I only heard from him about once every three months. When he was gone, my mom would say he was out there playing war games, training to defend this country."
By Jazmine Livingston
East Coast Culture Shock
"Students repeatedly used the word "Negro" to talk about the black population of the city. I was too enraged to articulate exactly how that made me feel, so I just kept my mouth shut."
By Nora Harrington
Violence and the Elderly
"They have bars on the windows, security alarms, huge fences, and dogs in the yard, just so they can feel safe enough to go to sleep."
By Donnell Parker
Holi-Don't
"My Grandmother decided to quit because spineless chumps from the neighborhood steal her displays right off the front lawn and damage her crafts."
By Anyi Howell
Indecent Proposal
"So here I am in journalism class, and I start thinking, why would someone put something out there that's totally offensive, disrespectful and nasty?"
By Bianca Butler
Hip Hop Dance
Youth Radio's Jazmine Livingston visits the San Francisco Hip Hop Dance Festival. She discovers a vibrant local scene and meets famous OGs, pint-size b-boys, and jocks-turned-dancers.
Spain
"Young women in their twenties were wearing high heels and unbelievably revealing tops."
By Lauryn Silverman
Haters
"Kids at my school use the word 'hater' to describe the people who always have something bad to say."
By Musa Aziz
San Francisco Women Against Rape
"Denying these organizations the money they need to do such critical and difficult work means denying support to rape survivors."
By Belia Mayeno
C.Y.A
"What I learned while I was in C.Y.A. I mostly learned from myself and from reading books."
By Jacquinn Scales
Processing Pain
"People in other parts of the world suffer losses like this too, some with much more regularity."
By Belia Mayeno-Choy
Racial Identity
"I remember going to school when I was younger and found that I stood out."
By Tadina Ross
Father to Be
"Being a daily part of my child’s life is the most important thing in becoming the father I strive to be."
By Jordan Monroe
Melting Pot or Fruit Salad?
"I think my America is more like a fruit salad, with that nice juice that mixes at the bottom."
By Kimberly Hagan
Understanding Death
"My mom says that up until a few months ago, she had been protecting
me from death, because she didn’t think I understood it."
By Kacey Ward
Abortion Clinics
"I couldn’t believe I knew this secret that this girl had kept from her family and friends."
By Chelsea Vargas
Breast Implants
"I still can’t understand why a major surgical procedure that involves stuffing silicone bags into your body has become common."
By Tadina Ross
Internet Porn
"With all the easy access to the Internet, pornography is at everyone’s fingertips."
By Lauren Blassingame
Refuel, a Bible-Zine
"Refuel is a far cry from the black, leather-bound Bibles you find in churches and hotel room drawers."
By Jonathan Simrin
Software Piracy
"I am concerned that it’s just as easy to illegally download expensive software as it is for music."
By Alex Daniels
No Cellphone Service
"Everyone was lifting their phones in the air praying for some sign of service."
By Sanovia Jackson
Robbery in Oakland
"My little brother got robbed by eight teenagers on the way back from the movies."
By Kacey Ward
Parents and Media
"What parents can do is teach their children to be smart consumers of the media."
By Jacob Schneider
Raised by a Single Mother
"She didn't want to give me a lot of responsibility, but she had no choice."
By Russell Owens
Immuned to Violence
"I am no longer appalled by violence, death and terrible tragedy."
By Trevor Garner
Performance Drugs
"Society has crushed the concept of 'hard work' by introducing performance-enhancing supplements."
By Anthony Johnson
Fathers at Work
"Learning to be a father is not just about financial stability, it's also about setting an example your kids can respect."
By Sophie Simon-Ortiz
Speeding Tickets
"This has become a custom of mine thanks to the D.C. government’s great, new innovative cameras."
By Enrique Rivera
Identity Theft
"Identity theft has become a common crime in the United States."
By Erik Belgum
Media Censorship
"The concept of radio deejays having an independent opinion has been virtually wiped out."
By Lauren Blassingame
My Last Name
"I haven’t grown up with any sort of Mexican culture."
By Chelsea Vargas
Teen Smoking
"If my dad thinks I’m too smart to smoke, than I’ve got to have faith in myself."
By Kalid Mohammed
Gay Marriage IV
Youth Radio's Sanovia Jackson interviews her high school teacher on the issue of gay marriage.
Saving Trees
"It’s not just adults – kids should recycle too."
By Stanley Pauyo
Stereotypes
"First impressions can be pretty misleading."
By Nyssa Daniels
I’m an Adopted Chinese Girl, but I Dance with The Irish!
"I fell in love with Irish step dancing when I was eight."
By Oona Ziegler
The All Powerful Gun
"People want to ban guns, but that isn’t the solution."
By Stanley Pauyo
The Numbers Game
"Basically, the game is a way to measure sexual activity."
By Chelsea Vargas
Who is St. Patrick?
"He was ordained a priest and sent to Ireland to minister the Irish Christians."
By Jordan Monroe
Me and My Mom
"The separation we had in the past makes our connection very special."
By Dereje Solomon
Girls Inc. IV
Youth Radio's Chelsea Vargas interviews girls affiliated with Girls Inc. who helped produce a research report about the experience of girls in school.
Voices of Protestors
Youth Radio's Charlotte Silver gathered voices of student protestors in San Francisco demonstrating against U.S. intervention in Haiti.
Being Bilingual
"I feel very fortunate because I think a lot of people wish they could know two languages."
By Dennis Penate
What Happened to the
Environment?
"In this presidential campaign, the environment is getting shoved to the
backburner."
By Cathy Kunkel
Being a Teen Father
"I learned the most important thing is to show love and support."
By Emmitt Starr
Double Standard
"What’s so bad about the double standard?"
By Maria Khordorkovsky
Always on the Move
"I’ve been to ten group homes and seven high schools since I left my grandma’s."
By Brad Matthes
A Cynic is Born
"The roots of my cynicism go back to my early childhood."
By Anna Simonton
Losing My Mother
"Losing your mother to cancer when you’re only 15 turns your life upside
down.."
By Amy K
Big Mama
"She helped me through the years of awkward pre-adolescence."
By Nora Harrington
A Long Ride Home
"Thanks to the new AC Transit routes, I have to take three buses to get
home."
By Jasmenda Brown
What's Love Got to Do with
It?
"Valentine's Day is merely another Hallmark holiday."
By Stacey Leung
Vandalism or Art?
"I see graffiti artists as urban revisionists, worthy of artistic merit."
By Daniel Masuko
Growing Up Bilingual
"All I wanted was to blend in and be normal like everyone else."
By James Kim
Annoying Telemarketers
"No matter what comes out of my mouth, telemarketers continue to call me."
By Lauren Blassingame
Abstinence
"Nowadays, you see sex before marriage everywhere."
By Sanovia Jackson
Sexual Harassment
"I have been dealing with sexual harassment since elementary school."
By Sophie Simon-Ortiz
Citizenship
"I applied through an immigration office in Canada."
By Denise Chu
Confronting All Stereotypes
"I feel stereotypes are always disrespectful no matter if they are based on age, looks, or race."
By Stanley Pauyo
Gays in the Media
"America’s media has taken gay people under its wing."
By Meja Shoba
Fruit Packing Houses
From Voices of Youth Fresno, Grisel and Viviana Mansur tell the story of how
work in a fruit packing house nurtured a family.
Cat Talking Quickness
"I’m quick to tell a lie, especially when forced to."
By Tadina Ross
Gay Marriage
"If gay and lesbian couples were legally recognized as legitimate, maybe people wouldn’t see them as misfits."
By Alixandra Black
Oakland Violence
"The Oakland homicide rate is high."
By Hyter Edward Runnels III
Women’s Rights
"Women are being disrespected here in the U.S. almost everyday."
By Kalid Mohammed
Gangs
"They’re bored, so they skip school, drink, smoke and do as they please."
By Martisa Arias
Smoking Marijuana
"Smoking marijuana makes people lose control."
By Ahmed Dirgham
What Women Want
"No matter what race, men are men."
By Bianca Yarborough
The Driving Age
"I have been waiting for a long time to get my driver’s license at 16, but now I have to wait until I am 18."
By Dereje Solomon
ABC: American Born Chinese
"I hate being seen as 'fake' Chinese because I’m ABC."
By Christina Kwong
Teen Pregnancy
"Everyday I see some girls pregnant or walking around with their babies."
By Martisa Arias
Cool to be Dumb?
"I saw students who didn’t do an ounce of work portrayed as the quote unquote 'cool' kids."
By Leon Sykes
Marijuana PSA’s: Marketing Ideas and Behaviors to Teens
"Instead of wasting ad space on kids in unrealistic situations, show us some adult druggies with wrecked lives."
By Emily Greenwell
Change is Good
"I used to think change was bad, but not anymore."
By Alan Irie Reyes
Day of the Dead
"As I got older I realized that this 'dumb' celebration is part of my culture."
By Elizabeth Diaz
Profile of an Accidental Shooting
"He was shot accidentally by his best friend, Michael, who was 14."
By Jacinda Abcarian
Bullying and School Violence
"If schools took harassment more seriously, they could prevent problems."
By Matthea Levin
Being Short
"I was always the one made fun of because of my size."
By Emily Greenwell
Something I Hate
"There are people who know they can't play basketball."
By Reginald Paige
Shoplifting
"Just as I was about to reach for one more thing, a store clerk caught
me."
By Leeandra Momodu
Corporal Punishment
"Spanking as a form of punishment seems only to make children act worse."
By Ogechi Chioma
Discrimination
"Discrimination is a problem that society and humanity as a whole have
to solve."
By Princess Brownlee
Peer Acceptance
"Being a part of a clique is like being in a gang."
By Porsha Ushery
Rebel Flag
"Even if the rebel flag does mean slavery, no black people right now are slaves."
By Nick Cheek
Poor Children
"People just don't know how the children feel."
By Charmene Means
Peer Violence
"Students at school should treat every other student the way they want
to be treated."
By Dereck Allen
My Brother
"Begging the lord trying to find out when I'm leaving."
By Johnathan Waters
How I Got Here
"I said I would be there tomorrow, and I hung up the phone."
By Anthony Gonzalez
Busted
"I can’t wait to be home for good now that I know what juvenile detention
is like."
By Luis M.
South Central L.A.
"E.K.L.A.N.- that’s the name of the hood, the 'Evil Klan.' "
By Eric F.
Life is Crazy
"It’s crazy for young teenagers nowadays cuz they get killed for stupid reasons."
By Clayton Mitchell
Evolution
"It's a widely accepted scientific theory, and a lot of students might
find it very fascinating."
By Lisette Byers
Jewish Minority
"The people who have made fun of me for being Jewish haven’t learned
anything from history."
By Micah Weiss
Bullied
"I was experiencing the high school equivalent of a crucifixion everyday."
KQED version
By Quincy Mosby
Girls in Jail
"My friend works with drug offenders and prostitutes."
By Charlotte Silver
Sexual Discrimination
"Girls and boys should have a choice in what they want to do, regardless
of their gender."
By Chandria Ogburn
Respect
"I thought everyone knew how to respect others."
By Donovan Herring
Separation of Church
and State
"Many people hide behind religion, using it to manipulate others."
By Chika Oduah
Bullying
"I was experiencing the high school equivalent of a crucifixion everyday."
By Quincy Mosby
Rights and Responsibilities
Holding your tongue at Oakland High
The Big Crunch
"It gives me courage to face my smaller, worldly struggles"
By Laura Holtan
Laughter
"We have forgotten how to laugh."
By Trevor Garner
Optimism
"I love waking up every morning and still being me."
By Anna Simonton
African American Neighborhood
"The key to success is not to give up on hope."
By Laura Okonokhua
California Dreaming
A radio show from students behind bars.
Catholic Church Scandal
"My world nearly came crashing around me."
By Joel Lemuel
American Freedom
"America, you are caught with your pants down."
By Porter Griffith
Accents
"The diversity of the American language has nothing to do with intelligence
level."
By Ben Williams
Teen Pregnancy
"It would be cool to have a boyfriend, but I'm so busy, it would be a waste
of time for me."
By Gaby Arvizu
Incarcerated Nation
"In an average sized high school of about 3,000 people, 20 of them will
end up in jail."
By Ben Williams
Oakland
"There are a lot of things that are good."
By Leon Sykes
Televised War
"I should be able to see what the rest of the world sees regarding the
war."
By Greg Willis
I'm an American
"Don’t assume a person’s appearance defines who they are."
By Michael Acuna
Cuban Billboards
"It scares me that Americans are identified with our brand names."
By Sophie Simon-Ortiz
American Life
"Every day in our own neighborhoods, things happen that we would find very
depressing."
By Ben Williams
National Tragedies
"Why aren’t there any positive things that unify us?"
KCBS version
By AJ Herrmann
Life or Death
"Giving life in prison to death row inmates seems like adding insult to
injury."
By Ben Williams
Ageism
"It almost made me feel like a criminal."
By Mike Oseroff
Black People Love Us
"There’s nothing funny about stereotypes or assumptions."
By Joshua Clemmons
Terrorism
"The word 'terrorist' implies someone from the outside."
By Phil Herrick
Oakland Scenes: Snapshot of a Community
"We wonder why history always repeats itself... Rome and Net Nets in 62, 72, 82, 92, and now in 2002, because through all the madness, we laugh at the ghetto kids on the bus stop."
By Gerald Ward II, Bianca and Bridget Yarborough, Ise Lyfe
Police Dreams
Dalila Rivera hopes to one day be a police officer.
Police Programs
"You have to reach out to the younger generation."
By DeSean Walker
The Police
"I don't think the majority of cops are bad."
By Bianca Yarborough
Calling the Cops
"When most kids talk to the police, their guard is up."
By Krystle Martin
Schools and Jails
"Why bother giving youth an education when we can just lock them up?"
By Ursula Mehn
American Insecurity
"How safe are we? What are the chances of another American getting hurt
through acts of terrorism?"
By Raymond Hung
Violence in Oakland
"The best course of action is more after school programs and recreation
centers."
KQED version
By Monolito Twyman
Oakland
Violence, and a March for Peace
By Josh Clemmons, Johnny Tsai, and Mike Manuel
Richmond
Youth
Richmond teens talk about youth programs in their community
Oakland Gun Violence
"I can't think of anyone who doesn't know someone who's been affected by
violence since the beginning of the year."
By Memi Vaughn
Dreams Denied
"I almost gave up on my dreams because I lacked determination."
By K.D.
Freedom
"I think I'm ready for the outside world..."
By Anthony Stevenson
Moving On and Forward
An interview with a 19-year-old suicide bombing victim
By Belia Mayeno-Choy
Suicide Bombers
"I know it's strange, but it's not hard for me to relate to the Palestinian
female suicide bombers."
By Gabriela Jacobo
County Jails
Damon Survine talks about spending eight months in jail.
Remembering Jorge
"After I found out Jorge was gone, I cried for a long time — and not
just because he died in such a violent way."
KQED version
KCBS version
By Belia Mayeno-Choy
Violence Prevention
"All my life I have experienced and seen violence but never anything like
this."
By Anita Gonzales
Juvenile Justice
Nathaniel Brazill was 13 when he murdered his teacher. But should he have been
sentenced as an adult?
By Felicia Wu
Guns in School
"He calmly pulled out a gun and started polishing it."
By Leon Sykes
Scapegoating "The Losers"
"The media has to rationalize why an otherwise 'normal' middle class white
boy would do something crazy."
By Sophia Chakos-Lieby
Classmate With a Gun
Leon describes a classmate at school who was caught with a loaded gun.
By Leon Sykes
Race and Shootings
Antoine wonders why people always expect shootings from minority kids, but when
white kids are involved they just "need help."
By Antoine Bazilio
Teen Violence
"When I see an officer I automatically cross the street and distance myself.
I can't help but stammer and stare at their Billy clubs."
By Julie Kusnir
Change
Reflections on violence and the school shooting in San Diego
By Trevaj Siller
The Police
Who are they, and whose side are they on?
By Trevaj Siller
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