Fall 2005

The New York Association of Black Journalists Student Journalism Workshop

CO-SPONSORED BY LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY (BROOKLYN CAMPUS)

FIRST TAKE

Katrina Aftermath:

Queens County Lends Lots of Helping Hands

By: Carly Levine Academy of American Studies High School

hen Madeline Kauders found herself in Queens, New York, hundreds of miles away from her home in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, she was surprised to find an amazing new friend in Jessica Tamdji. Immediately, the Academy of American Studies High School student welcomed Kauders into her life and the girls became good friends in a short time. The two teens shared bright ideas and decided to help others like Kauders who needed guidance, aid, and recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The students are a perfect example of how many young people throughout the borough have stepped up to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the Gulf Coast. In various neighborhoods in Queens, young people are taking the initiative to donate their time, money, and hospitality to Katrina victims

who have relocated all across the country. From school organization fundraising to community and local support, these unnoticed, dedicated young men and women are making a difference by giving back all they can to the evacuees and direct victims of the hurricane. Many community businesses are chipping in to support those in need. Mardi Gras Restaurant, a hot-spot Cajun eatery in Forest Hills, Queens has been collecting money from the community and customers to send off to the Red Cross. "We wanted to act as quickly as possible to help these unfortunate people, said current manager Otman Haouzie. We immediately set up a donation center near our entrance and put signs up on the doors to alert customers about what we were doing," he said. Since the end of August, the res-

taurant has collected over $2,000 to donate to the hurricane victims. Other local businesses have been supporting the cause as well. Various nation-wide businesses have also been contributing to the cause for quite a while. For example, the major retail company, American Eagle Outfitters, now sells small necklace chains including circular pendants with inspirational words such as "love", "hope" and "live your life" for $1. Each contribution goes towards the relief efforts that will hopefully rebuild lives. At the Academy of American Studies High School in Long Island City, student government representative Jessica Tamdji, has been in touch with Madeline Kauders, a 17 year-old hurricane victim that moved to New York just days after Hurricane Katrina hit in late August. She attended American

Studies for the short time she was in town. Kauders was eventually able to return home after two weeks spent in New York, when her high school back in New Orleans re-opened to the student body. Kauders and Tamdji remained friends even though their time together was limited and their homes far apart. As the Student Council President of Ridgewood Preparatory High School in Jefferson Parish, Kauders linked her old and new schools to form a direct relief source. In New York, Tamdji has been organizing funds to help raise money, supplies, and necessary items for Kauders' community. Bake sales, food and clothing drives, UNICEF donations, school supply collections, and care packages that contain soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, and small snacks are just a few of the projects that have been in progress in this extraordinary high school. Tamdji felt extremely lucky to be able to assist a hurricane victim in need. By creating a link to Ridgewood Prep, we can directly support Madeline and her community instead of sending off our money to any old organization that may use it for something else, she said. I made a great friend and I'm helping my school make a difference by contributing to the lives of kids just like us that have been in an extremely devastating situation," Tamdji added. While Kauders' school receives and keeps some of the necessary donated items, they are also supplying unneeded donations to local citizens that are struggling to find aid. In Astoria, Queens, Jared Gordon, 17, and his mother Stephanie Gordon, opened their doors to the Coleman family, who were washed out of New Orleans by Katrina.

"My mother actually met them at the Westway Hotel in Astoria where her friend works, Jared said. She heard their story and immediately reacted by connecting her own life with theirs. The Colemans, including Maryetta and her three sons, aged three, five, and eleven, now live in Astoria in a home Stephanie Gordon helped them find. Maryetta was actually the stand in for Jessica Simpson in the hit movie Dukes of Hazard, but her work came to an end as disaster struck. In caring for the Coleman family, the Gordons supplied clothing, money, toys, and games and even helped them fit into their new community. "My mom searched for new houses and apartments near by that were affordable for them, Jared said. Mrs. Gordon even helped the older Coleman boy get into Louis Armstrong Junior High School where her youngest son goes to school. "It's a tragedy that this happened, but helping one family at a time can make a difference, said Jared. I feel bad for the victims, but making those boys happy brought a smile to my face and I knew I was doing the right thing", said the teen of his genuinely hospitable experience. The Colemans are now on their own, living and surely surviving in Astoria, thanks

Time Magazine

The NETS are coming. The NETS are coming.

By Kenan Claxton Of Campus Magnet High School

Well, Hopefully.
to see the game, there would still be hundreds of taxis in an allready backed up street Suisman said. The estimated housing was about 5000 and now its up to 7000 housing projects. Hundreds of kids wont even have schools because Ratner talks about having a school but they wont commit to one. Suisman said. Ratner did not take his plan to the city. Instead, he decided to go straight to the state level because he knew he had a much better chance of getting the plan approved.

Use what talents you posses, the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best. - Harry Van Dyke/student Erin Berri

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BrooklynPapers.com

he New Jersey Nets team is on track to become the Brooklyn Nets. However, opposition from some Brooklyn residents and community leaders could complicate the transfer over the Hudson amid concerns that some people living in the borough for years may have to relocate and that money is being unnecessarily spent on an expensive stadium. Bruce Ratner, the current owner of the Nets came to terms with the Metropolitan Transit Authority to

buy the Atlantic Yards for the Nets stadium at a $455 million price tag. Controversy swirls around the Nets coming to Brooklyn as City Councilwoman Letitia James and Scott Turner of Fans for Fair Play argue that the Nets should stay in Jersey. Yet, Ratner became victorious once again. So now, the Nets have the lot and are scheduled to start the building of the stadium in the 2008-2009 NBA season. The problem now is that the community at large is very iffy about the subject. On the one hand, people say having a team is going to bring back prosperity to Brooklyn. Others, however, say people will be affected because theyre going to be forced to move out of their homes. Nets Spokesman Loren Rigelhaupt said the community will be very excited. Brooklyn can see a team represent their borough

once again. When asked if the already established Knicks would take away some fans, he said no, I think that there are Nets fans from Brooklyn and it would all work out for the best. Some Brooklyn citizens were also overjoyed about the upcoming Nets arrival. Eric Griffith, a seller of window coverings and who is a resident of Brooklyn, believes that this is a good situation for the borough. I would gravitate to the Nets because they will be down the block from me. A KnickNet match up will be better than a Yankee-Met subway series any day, he said. However, Griffith said the money could be better used. Ratner is going about this situation wrong, he said. Michael Sang, a medical biller and a current resident, only had happy feelings about the soon

to be Brooklyn Nets. Having more people coming to Brooklyn would generate more income that the government can use to help our community. Especially small business (which) would flourish because of the new wave of people, he said. Kate Suisman, director of constituent policy and member of Letitia James office, said that James wants the people to make the decision on what they want to have. Not a billionaire thinking he has a blank check and thinks he can do whatever he wants, she said. This new construction would cost about $1 billion and it would not be fair for the city to share part of the payment, she added, noting that having a sports arena in an already congested neighborhood would be horror if they decide to go through with the building. Even if people take the train

NY Post

Gay Rights for

TEENS
hen someone is in love it should be because of emotions and not race, creed or sexual orientation. I believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to express love in different ways. It shouldn't matter whether its between a man and a woman or two men and/or two women. As I looked into the meaning of love, I see it as a visible expression between two people. It can be expressed mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. Considering the many struggles gays had to go through in life to be accepted in our society today, homosexual relationships shouldnt be taken lightly. Many disruptive and even violent crimes have been committed because of homophobia. Many crimes involve Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) students and others who are not accepting of their peers. Two cases in particular went from typical harassment to murder. One publicized case involved Sakia Gunn, a Newark student who attended West Side High school, died all because of a hate crime. She was stabbed to death because she told a man who was making unwanted advances

By Jessica Renee Jackson Of West Side High School

Time Magazine

toward her that she was gay. Statistics from a website administered by African American gay commentator Keith Boykin, said Gunn was one of the 1,300 victims of anti-gay violence reported to the FBI each year. These issues have been over looked for many years and its not right. Gunn was not the only one. Matthew Shepard, who was at the time 21-years old, was kidnapped by two men because he was gay in 1998. As the story goes, they took him to remote Laramie, Wyoming, an area near the Sherman Hills neighborhood. There, they tied him to a fence, pistol-whipped and robbed him, and left him shattered and comatose in near-freezing temperatures. Some 18 hours later, a passing bicyclist that saw Shepard, thought the rutted form on the fence was a scarecrow. Five days later, at the Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins, Colorado Shepard died from his injuries. What does this message mean? Do people have the right to go around killing innocent human beings just because of their sexual orientation? When do the rights of citizens get taken away just because they are classified as LGBT. As a 17-year old LGBT

student, I think its important that more issues like homophobia against teens be brought to light. Every time someone hears of such hate crimes its always over looked in our urban communities. Sometimes, it seems like the Equal Rights Amendment doesnt come into play very well for us, simply because the same thing happens every year involving gay rights issues. More importantly, President George W. Bush should stop trying to hold back our rights. He should give more support for homosexual relationships because from my standpoint, he isn't doing very well when it comes to speaking up for gay rights. In 2003 Rep. Jan. Schakowsky (D-Ill) sent a letter to the President saying he should make an formal apology to the lesbian and gay community for suggesting that homosexuality was a sin. Whenever you look on the Internet, there are more articles about LGBT citizens than on television. Why is that? Is it because our society is reluctant to recognize the contributions we have made? Its not just about sexual about orientation but also discrimination.

Racial Divide
Seen Amongst UPN and WB Viewers
By Jazmin Dozier of Mount Olive High School. and Melinda Medina of Franklin D. Roosevelt High School.
fies herself as Irish and Italian. Its not by accident that UPN and WB know whos tuning in given the extensive research done by most networks in order to boost ratings. Viewers of these stations are given surveys which are then translated into ratings. Ratings are also used to determine how much networks can charge for commercial time. If WB and UPN dont have high ratings they wont be able to draw enough viewers to make the shows profitable to advertisers. According to a First Take survey, most viewers of the WB are white and UPN attracts more viewers of color. For instance, the three highest rated shows on UPN are Girlfriends with 2.4 million viewers, All Of Us with 2.3 million watchers and Everybody Hates Chris with 2.2 million viewers. By contrast, rounding out the top three at the WB are Gilmore Girls with 4 million viewers, Smallville with 3 million viewers, and 7th Heaven with 3.6 million tuning in. Television producers have long argued that the dearth of diversity in TV programming is about the bottom line, not racism. They say that foreign markets and domestic advertisers pay more for entertainment products which feature white people in lead roles. Sumara Alexis, 16, said she watches UPN because it relates to her own personal experiences, particularly the show One On One, which deals with a free-spirited teenager and her overprotective father. Alexis noted her father is also strict. Whites, however, appear to relate to different scenarios played out on the WB programs. Student Marissa Bauer, 17, says that she can relate to 7th Heaven because her family behaves similar to the family portrayed on the show. I like watching UPN because it has a lot of shows with people of color and I think thats a great thing to have, said Monique Lopez, 17, who identifies herself as Panamanian. Most stations wont ever put shows on that cast people of color and I find that to be interesting, she said. Representatives from both networks could not be reached for comment.

By Alma Hidalgo Of Edward R. Murrow High School

2005

NYC Marathon

here appears to be somewhat of a racial divide on two major U.S. television stations catering to youth-oriented programming. United Paramount Network, or UPN, is making a splash among young AfricanAmerican viewers with hit shows like Girlfriends, One on One and Everyone Loves Chris. Comparatively, the WB is luring in younger white audiences with such hits as 7th Heaven, Smallville and Charmed. Although improving diversity on the small screen has been a key issue for minority rights activists including the NAACP, UPN and the WB have aimed at cross-over appeal. UPN has traditionally been popular among youth of color first before moving to attract whites to the network. I choose UPN as my favorite station because the shows interest me, said 15-year old Victoria Ramos, of Caribbean descent, who attends Lincoln High School. Personally, I think (Hispanics and African Americans) would most likely prefer watching UPN and (whites) would be intrigued by the shows on WB because it may be more relative to their life, she said. However, some white youth are ambivalent about the strong cultural underpinnings of the programming by the networks. I like both stations evenly because both have shows of my interests, said Lorna Wekish, 18-years old, who identi-

ew York City held another successful marathon, which marked its 36th year. Some 37,000 athletes from different parts of the world participated in this year's race, while thousands of spectators stood on the sidelines cheering on their family members and friends. Like most years when the citywide marathon is held, the weather didnt disappoint even though it was slightly windy. The sun shined and it was a great day for everyone to go out and support the marathoners who attempted to run 26.2 miles from Staten Island to Central Park in Manhattan. World record holder Paul Tergat from Kenya beat defending champion Hendrick Ramaala in the most dramatic and closest win in the marathons history. Tergat broke the tape in an official time of 2:09:30. Meanwhile, South Africas Ramaala came in a third

of a second after Tergat. Leading the women was Jelena Prokopcuka from Latvia, who was the first women to accomplish the race with a time of 2:24:41. Kenya's Susan Chepkemei came in 14 seconds later. Tergat and Prokopcuka won hefty cash and time bonuses of $160,000 and $125,000 respectively. The dramatic races among the professional marathon runners were the highlight of the marathon. But, there were scores of milestones and small victories among the legions of other runners, including those who have ran for decades as well as novices. Runners like Eric Ollandero, who ran his ninth race in New York, said the marathon was fun, super organized and that he would like to do it again next year. His time was 4:22. After crossing the finish line, hoards of runners strolled around Central Park wrapped in white and orange capes emblazoned with, I ran 26.2 miles to get here. Although they didn't participate in the race, supporters and interested bystanders were very enthusiastic. People cheered on their relatives, while some people even wore clown hair to show their support.

Family members were particularly supportive as they held up carts with signs that said Lets Go Dad or Go Danielle. Linda, whose son was running his third marathon, held up a sign that said Go Marvin Go Scott. Marvin is my son and Scott is his friend....I have being chasing him around since the beginning of the Marathon," she said. While other athletes were tired and in pain because of the long hours they had to run, Marjorie who ran with a team, expressed some disappointment. I dont feel tired, but I feel like I did much better the first time that I ran since I finished on 4:15 and in this marathon I finished 4:40," she said. Gavin Williams, who was running his 56th race in New York, said he hopes to run his 60th marathon by the time he turns 60-years old.

By Imani Walton Of Union High School

ts really hard these days for a teen like me to figure out what to wear to school given that we have so many choices. But, the main challenge is how to dress to express yourself as a person. Do you dress according to how your friends are dressing? Or, do you dress to find out where you belong? Sometimes for teens, its all of the above. For example, if parents and their teenagers dont get along, teens wont behave or

FASHION IDENTITY
dress according to the wishes of their parents. Well, I dont listen to anything that my mom says about what I need to wear, she thinks she can tell me what to do, said one teenager in the Tri-State area named Lashanna. Come on, Im a sophomore in high school, not a second grader, Sometimes teens think that if they wear certain clothing they will be perceived as uncool, stupid, or even gay. Sometimes the teen might not know about their sexuality. But the way a teen (dresses) does give a little hint about who they really are, said another area teen named Tynia. Sometimes teens dress for individuality because they want to be original. They might like the colors or style of clothing, so they wear it to show their uniqueness. And, finally teens might dress a certain way because of peer pressure. Its hard to belong if you are always going against the grain. Teens are more likely than other groups to succumb to group pressure in order to conform. And, they are very quick to notice differences of habit, dress and social behavior. As a result, a teen might
be pressured to buy the latest fashions despite limited financial means. We are teenagers trying to make it in this world with a lot issues to work out. But, fashion is the one thing where we have control.

I do not want to die...Until I have faithfully made the most of my talent, and cultivated the seed that was placed in me, until the last small twig has grown. - Kathe Kollwitz/student Rhonesha Byng

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Is Running Up the
a hit that is constantly rotated on popular radio stations. His day is hectic, full of interviews, and performances. "It hasn't really sunk in yet, I still feel like the regular Chris Brown I was before." His single "Run It" became a hit this summer. The first time Brown heard his song on the radio, he felt a rush of excitement. "I was buggin' out. I ran upstairs and I was like 'Ma, oh my God my song is on the radio!'" Brown first realized that he could sing when he was 11 years old and began taking it seriously when he was 13. "My dad worked at a gas station and some people came around asking about people that can sing. My dad told them about me." The people that came to the gas station recruiting talent were a production team in Virginia. The production team had connections with production teams in New York, and they passed on Brown's demo to record companies in New York. After several offers, Brown was eventually signed to Jive Records. It is truly a big change for this teen coming from the small town of Tappahannock, Va. with a population of 2,000 to becoming a famous singer. But he is not letting it go to his head. "I still feel like the regular Chris Brown I was before all of this." Surprisingly, one of the things that he misses from life before the record deal is high school. "Being a regular 16-year-old playing video games, I miss that a lot. I hate tutoring. I just miss being able to go to class and chill and being able to have that experience. Brown admits he is inexperienced as a performer. He had never performed before receiving his record deal. But watching this talented teen in action, gliding and dancing all over the stage while singing incredible vocals, you would never know. "At first I was a little bit nervous but I told myself I could do this."

CHRIS BROWN

By Rhonesha Byng Of Edward R. Murrow High School

Charts
people know that teenagers can really be in love too, you may wonder if this 16-year-old has ever been in love or had his heart broken. "I have, but that was way before the music thing. Some girls only want you for a moment, and then they just don't want you anymore." With that said, Brown does not have any girl in his life, but more than makes up for it with all the female fans he has. Influenced by R&B and soul icons like Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson and Usher, Brown is surely following the right path. Up and coming singers can hardly escape comparisons to other singers. So, is Chris Brown the new Omarion? Should Usher watch out for his replacement? Brown says being compared to other young artists is great but he is not replacing anybody; he is making his own legacy. "I want them to see me for me. I'm going to be myself. I'm hiphop with a little bit of R&B soul."

e has got it all, a hit song, girls screaming his name, and fame at just 16 years old. But, despite all of this Chris Brown says he still misses being just a kid. "I miss it a lot, I love what I do but sometimes I miss just being a regular teenager and hanging out with my friends." Chris Brown's life is anything but normal these days. His debut single from his self-titled album, "Run It" is blazing the Billboard charts. It is

The video for his debut album "Run It" featuring Juelz Santana shows us Brown at a party and on the dance floor. He spots a girl and he is telling her to show him what she's got. All his friends are at the party dancing and having fun. From the dance floor to getting girls, his next single "Yo" is a soulful song displaying Brown's irresistible and soulful vocals. In the song he sees a girl he wants and he is trying to get her attention but he doesn't know her name so he just says "Yo, excuse me miss" before she can get away. Browns album, in stores November 29th, includes songs discussing experiences with girls, being in love and just being a teenager. He has worked with hit producers Scott Storch, Underdogs, Andre and Vidal, Cool and Dre and Jazze Pha. He debuts his writing abilities on "Winner," "Thank You," and "Seen the Light." With songs like "Young Love," in which he lets grown

(2) People Magazine

By: Erin Johnson Of Brooklyn Technical High School

Teens Still Relate to Popular

High School. TV Soap Opera
Most of the issues Degrassi deals with, other shows directed at a teen audiences are afraid to even think about, giving Degrassi a great edge on most of its competitors. Some of the racy topics dealt with on the show include gossip, heartbreak, sex, teen pregnancy, drug experimentation, and opposite and same sex relationships. The viewer follows the cast exploring their worlds as young adults, discovering who they are now and who they want to be in the future. One episode was thought to be so indecent and risqu by the American Television Company, Noggin refused to play it for the American teenage audience. This episode entitled, Accidents Will Happen, focuses on one the main characters, Manny Santos, who has just discovered that she is pregnant on channel CBC and syndicated in America on Noggin. However, Degrassi is not a new television show. In fact, it is actually an extended branch of two different shows that had been on television some years earlier. The first show, Degrassi: Junior High aired in Canada on CBC and in America on PBS in 1987 and continued to run until the teens graduated on the final episode. Producers got such popular feedback from the show in America and Canada that they decided to create Degrassi High where they followed the cast from the original show to their next stop in life: High School. Degrassi High aired on the same channel for two years until 1991. Almost a decade later, the producers decided to bring the intense series back as Degrassi: The Next Generation in which some of the cast members from the original show are now parents and teachers of the students on this show. at 14 years old. It shows Manny going through her decision-making process of whether she should keep the baby, like her unsteady boyfriend Craig, wants her to do, or have an abortion, which is what her heart is telling her to do. At the end of the episode, she decides it is too soon and too much responsibility for her to have a baby, so she goes through with the abortion. This episode was decided unsuitable to air in America and was never shown. But, as unrestrained as the show may be, teen viewers still seem to find the good in it. When I watch the show and see all the things that the characters go though, my problems seem so miniscule and unimportant, said Rosa Mowbray, a student at Brooklyn Technical High School. Even though the situations arent real or may be exaggerated, it helps my self esteem and makes me feel better about my own issues. The clever way the shows are aired makes it hard to miss. Most of the episodes end in cliffhangers and have a continuation the next week, giving teen viewers a week to anticipate the intense conclusion. And, as a bonus to good viewers who have patiently waited a long week to catch the show, after every new episode the producers give you a sneak peek commercial of the upcoming episode. Obviously this technique really does work on viewers. Im late to school Tuesday mornings because I download the show on Monday night after its premiered in Canada and watch it Tuesday morning, said Stephanie Wharton, a 17-year old senior at Brooklyn Technical High School. I cant go to school and concentrate without watching it. The suspense kills me, she said.

very Friday night at 8:00 p.m., teenagers close their doors and block out their parents to watch a new episode of an addictive teenage soap opera called Degrassi: The Next Generation on the Noggin channel. Ever since the premiere in 2001, Degrassi: The Next Generation has captured the hearts and minds of teens in America and Canada, just like the original series. The catch phrase "Degrassi: It Goes There" describes in perfect words why teens are so hooked. It illustrates how the show discusses very real issues that go on in every high school. I like the show because everyone who watches it can relate to one of the characters, whether its the fat girl, the rich girl, or the pretty girl like me," said Janine Sleem a 16-year old at A. Phillip Randolph High School in Manhattan. Degrassi is a mainstream program shown in Canada

NJ Schools Unveil Strict Policy On

By John Nunoo and Khadijah Jones Of West Side High School

inally, the long-awaited cries of Newark public school students to carry their cell phones during school hours have been answered. However, the policy could be a mixed blessing given the tight restrictions on usage and hefty penalties for any infractions. The Newark public school system recently implemented a new cell phone policy permitting students to carry their cell phones while in school, but under strict conditions. The policy follows a

long debate about cell phones, students and safety and was brought to a head during the summer when a Newark police officer was shot dead while breaking up a fight between two female students at Weequahic High School. Apparently, one of the female students involved in the tussle used her cell phone to call for back up. Who happened to be the shooter of school officer Dwayne Reeves. Given such dangerous consequences of cell use, the phones will be tightly regulated, said Vice Principle Jose Aviles of Newarks West Side High School. The cell phones cause disruptions. They ring in class taking attention away from lectures, he said. Under the guidelines, a student wishing to carry a cell phone during school hours must complete a user agreement as well as a parent or guardian, which identifies the cell phone. In addition, the agreement acknowledges that the school district assumes no responsibility

for any loss or damages to the phone. The user agreement also explicitly states that violation of the policy is punishable as a level three offense under the District School Discipline plan and policy, which constitutes suspension, detention and parent-teacher conference. Specific punishments are determined by a teacher or administrator. The cell phone policy is a safety issue because the cell phone could also become a weapon, Aviles said. The policy also states that in an event a student uses a cell phone to facilitate a crime or to harm to a person or property, the student will be reported to law enforcement officials, possibly resulting in jail time. The shooting of officer Reeves compelled the district to look into making it punishable by law to call someone to commit an offence. I think that its great. It should be enforced in more schools only if the students follow the policy it shouldnt be a problem, said a substitute teacher.

West Sides health teacher said that since the policy has been enforced, students have been taking advantage of having their phones. They talk on them in class and I believe they should not be able to have them in school, he said. High School students are particularly fond of their cell phones because they want to be connected

Cell Phone Use

of action does not benefit them in any manner. What sense does it make having our cell phones with us in school and having no access to them. What if there is an emergency at home, said one student who didnt want to be identified. Aviles said students should contact an administrator or school official if there is an emergency at home. Edward Joyner, a student of West Side High School said the cell phone policy is alright. But you know teenagers (arent) focused. Every second, you catch them looking at their phone, he said. The cell phone policy allows the use of phones after school hours, making it possible for students in extracurricular activities to have contact with their parents or guardians. How do you get a ride home when you cant use your cell phone? asked Joyner.

at all times. Technology is a part of everyones life today and teenagers are the biggest participants. According to some Newark students interviewed, this course

Were coming up in the world , so this is the only way to go...UP! - student Jessica R. Jackson

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Commercialization of
By Shomari Frett Of Cardinal Spellman High School

reativity is being lost in rap music today as originality is being replaced by commercialism. The need to convey a message in music is being replaced by the need for money. In the mid-1980's until the early 1990's, hip-hop music had a different identity than it does today. Rappers from the earlier days of hip-hip had a message in their lyrics. For instance, if you listened to "The Hood Took Me Under," by Mc Eihts of the popular 80s rap group Comptons Most Wanted, you heard about his life on the streets and how gang life was respected in the streets of Compton, California. And take the track "Slow Down" by Brand Nubian, which also portrayed a message, but of a different sort. The songs were about how some women become sexually promiscuous and were

headed down the wrong path. Today, to get ahead as a rapper all you have to be is young, black, angry and from the ghetto. The tools once used to tell cautionary stories about life on the streets are now simplified in order to make a fast buck in the music industry. I recently listened to a new rap song and found myself not even listening to the words. Take rapper 50 Cents song "Im Suppose to Die Tonight." In the song, 50 says that even though he is a multi-millionaire hes gonna have to kill someone and he is ready with his bullet-proof vest. And dont forget, he has eightyone carrot stones on his necklace. The following is a verse from the song: "Breakin my back for a stack of headquarters/ All my manpower for four bucks an hour/Took the time, I wrote rhymes in the shower/shoes are scoffed cause the road gets rough/But Im a rock it till my pockets ain't stuffed enough. In the early days of rap music people used to have jams in the park, including in the back of housing projects. When rap began to emerge it was indeed a happy event such

HIP HOP

as when Grandmaster Flash would throw down at scratching at the Mitchell Projects in the South Bronx. But the violence in todays music is starting to mirror reality. I am in no way blaming rap music for choices of youth today, but the change in getting out of control. Everyone wants to portray the gangsta lifestyle. Feuds, rivalry, beef, it has all made rap music look like some sort of monster. The days when rap feuds were a matter of lyrical dominance are over. But these feuds seem to fuel rap music today. Rap is no longer an issue of respect but of raising music sales. And the feuds do increase sales. A DVD series called "Smack" that is dedicated to beefs in the hip-hop world underscore this trend. Something that was fun has taken lives to sell records. Media exploitation changed what was once a friendship into the murders of rap icons Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. Their music sold like crazy during the time of the infamous "East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry during the 1990s. Problems spark peoples curiosity which leads to increased record sales. Now that seems to be all that is important.

DIE TRYIN
Movie Review
By Iyana Garry Of Bronx High School of Science

Get Rich or

Besides the booming gun shots that made me jump every ten seconds and the tantalizing nude scene in the jailhouse shower room, Get Rich or Die Trying waseh, okay. It would have taken much more than a nude scene and some loud gunshots to make this film a great one. Not as glamorous as I expected, although predictable since it was a modified portrayal of rapper 50 Cents coming of age in the ghetto. The movies plot was solid, yet 50, who played the lead role as Marcus, still could benefit from a couple of more acting lessons.

This typical hard-core rapperturned-actor, was very stiff and passive, despite the few drops of tears he let down in two scenes. Joy Bryant was good in her role as Charlene, Marcus baby mama. Theres no doubt that Terrence Howard, who plays Marcus cell mate and business partner Bama, put in another tour de force performance. Maybe next time, 50! This film gets two out of five stars from me.

By Iyana Garry Of Bronx High School of Science

HARRY POTTER
Goblet of Fire
older (which is a good thing since it keeps up with the readers who grew up reading the series and dont have to find their inner child while watching the film.) However, when the film was rated PG-13, they made the right move. This film is not suitable for adolescents who are too young to handle vulgar language, the concept of hormones and gross, dimorphic, sub human, evil wizards. Throughout the film, Harry struggles with the Tri-Wizard Tournament competition and his friendships with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The

Movie Review
father discovers the loss of his son. The scene encourages the viewers to cry with Cedrics father, yet the mood changes quickly when we discover that an accomplice of Voldemort has disguised himself as Mad-Eye Moody, the fourth Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor. It is discovered that Voldemort has not only marked Harry once again, but he has taken a sample of Harrys blood to revive himself and become more powerful. In the end, the life of Harry Potter is serene, yet in the back of his mind, Voldemort remains a threat.

heres no doubt that Goblet of Fire is a fivestar film. Filled with adventure and allusions of Greek culture, this film, marking the fourth sequel, is completely different from the previous

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three Potter movies. In Goblet of Fire, there are no Quidditch matches and no fairy-tale endings. The film is much more serious and the characters are much

Tournament is a big deal for Harry because there is no way he can dodge the competition as he has to prove to everyone at Hogwarts that he can win it, despite his young age and the fact he didnt select himself to participate in the competition. In the first task, Harry has to capture a golden egg who fought while being attacked by a humongous dragon, like the gladiators whod fight large animals for entertainment in the Coliseum during Ancient Greece. At the

end, of course, Harry wins the tournament. However, for those who havent read the book, a turning point arrives when one of the contestants, Cedric Diggory, dies while competing in the last and third task in a maze similar to a Labyrinth. After Harry and Cedric both grab the World Cup, the maze leads them to the graveyard of Tom Riddle, the father of evil Lord Voldemort. Cedrics life lays in the hands of Peter Pettigrew, an Voldemort ally. To make a long story short, Harry escapes and wins the World Cup and TriWizard Tournament. However, the mood changes when Cedrics