Youth Communication: Topic

At Zainab's high school, teachers tell students to walk away from fights or to inform an adult. But that advice is ignored because those who follow it get beaten up. Zainab asks adults to understand the realities students face and gives practical suggestions on reducing school violence. (full text)

To Snitch or Not to Snitch?

Despite a shooting outside her apartment that endangers her aunt, DeAnna's family does not report the incident to the police. "Snitching" goes against the unwritten code of living in the hood—not only will you lose respect from the community, but you could become a target for retaliation.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent?

According to police records, the NYPD stopped 508,540 pedestrians in 2006 for questioning or frisking. The vast majority of those stopped were black or Latino, and 90% weren’t found to be doing anything wrong. Sidebar to previous article.

We Fought the Law and—We Won!

Getting stopped by the police is common in minority neighborhoods, but when 50 kids get arrested in Bushwick, Brooklyn just for walking down the street, they decide to take action. Helped by an activist curriculum at their alternative school, they successfully sue the police.

Teens Challenge Police in Schools

In 1998, the police department took over school safety in New York City schools from Dept. of Education staff. Some like the idea, but others feel it creates a prison atmosphere that violates student rights. One critic, the ACLU, is suing the city to change the policy and remove police from the schools.

What Happened to My American Dream?

Natalie’s faith in her newly adopted country is temporarily shaken by police mistreatment of a Haitian man.

What to Do if You're Stopped

Police and teens describe how young people should conduct themselves if they are stopped by the police.

A Little Piece of Haiti

Natalie attends a Haitian rally protesting the torture of Abner Louima and feels a new sense of pride in her culture.

What's the Charge?

Max is arrested for no good reason. He spends 24 hours behind bars and ends up feeling kidnapped by prejudiced cops.

Caught in the Act

When Rance and his friends decide to talk to the cops who are trailing them instead of running away, they get frisked and verbally abused.

Cops and Kids

Julio interviews teens, advocates, and a former police lieutenant about the mistrust and brutality between cops and kids.

Rappin' with the 5-0

Allen visits a police precinct to see what cops are really like.

A Day at the 63rd Precinct Station Changed My View of the Police

Nicole wins an essay contest on the police and gets to be honorary captain of her local precinct for a day. The visit gives her an inside look at how the police operate as well as renewed respect for them.

Freed From the Herd

The author cuts school to go to the park with a new group of friends. There, the friends have a run-in with the police, and the author wonders if he's hanging out with the wrong crowd.
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