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Thursday Jul 29

Mixed Bag: Radio Treats from Rootz DC's Bell Crew

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Written by Selina Musuta Thursday, 11 June 2009 16:36

Dear Rootz DC fans,

The end of this school year has left me with a mixed bag of feelings.  On one hand, I am so excited that summer is here and the Rootz members at Bell Multicultural High School have completed our program. Edom, Dagime, Rose, Nancy, Jessenia, and Emanuel have left with basic production skills and media analysis tools that they can use in their everyday life.  On the other hand, after spending months with these smart, funny, sweet, and sometimes sarcastic folks, I've developed a growing attachment to them so I'm sad to see them go (they are all graduating seniors). 

This year's Rootz crew worked hard to complete their radio projects.  Some did them alone, others worked collaboratively but in the end they all thoughtfully went through the production process from beginning to end.  From stories about how the recession is impacting young people to stories on how teenagers view the police and if the police respond to those judgements, they covered the political by turning it into the personal.  And you can check out their hard work below. 
Peace,
Selina Musuta
Radio Rootz DC Program Director
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Pictured:  Emanuel Mendez, Edom Amare and Rose Quispe; Not Pictured:  Nancy Romero, Jessenia Maldonado, and Dagime Sisay

Washington, D.C. is well-known for being the nation's capitol and a place that's foundation was built by the city's majority African American community.  But with time has come a demographic shift in the city.  The city is seeing a growing number of african, carribean, latino, and asian residents as well as white call D.C. it's home.  The NW DC neighborhood of Columbia Heights is at the center of this shift.  And probably the best symbol of those many cultures interacting with each other on a daily basis is a small school located right in the heart of Columbia Heights, Bell Multicultural High School.  Bell students, Dagime Sisay and Edom Amare report.



The school year is ending at Bell Multicultural High School in Washington DC with mixed feelings from parents and students.  Many of the school's seniors are worried about high tuition prices and having money to even go to college. Rose Quispe looks at concerns and worries students have as they get ready to leave school.   



The high profile shooting deaths of young men of color like Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell in the hands of police have further alienated young people from law enforcement.  Many young people view the police as the problem and not the solution. Nancy Romero and Jessenia Maldonado talk to community leaders, youth, and police in  the Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Columbia Heights about young people’s views of the police. 



Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez is a controversial figure not only in his country but internationally as well.  Bell student and Venezuelan native, Emanuel Mendez explores his own beliefs on the Chavez administration through his family and other fellow Venezuelans.