Rootz DC Summer Internship

Gun violence impacts most teens living in Washington, D.C. The daily headlines remind us how vulnerable we are especially those of us who are teens. And because of that, when adults try to protect us, they end up mostly taking away some of the things that make being a teenager not only fun but also important for our development. In the summer of 2007, Radio Rootz held its first Summer Internship Program. 4 high school students from DC and Maryland came together to produce youth radio pieces about some of the root causes of gun violence and how it affects their lives. Check them out! Across the country, critics of violent music lyrics continue to link those lyrics with violence in the streets. And D.C. is no different. Except for the past 30 years instead of Hip-Hop or Hard Rock taking the heat, in D.C., it’s go-go. Radio Rootz Reporter, Terrell Carr gives us a look behind the D.C. music scene of Go-Go. | Download

Youth advocates often say that teens need activities outside of school to keep them out of trouble and not bored. That’s why many teens are encouraged to get a job during the summer. But getting a job as a teen is not only hard but also very stressful especially when jobs that provide skills are hard to get and they usually pay the national minimum wage of $5.15. Also, teenagers sometimes feel there treated unfairly in the workplace. Monica Jones of Radio Rootz interviewed teens and adults to find out what it means to be an out of work and working teenager in D.C. | Download

Every year we’re bombarded by statistics that we hear in the news, radio, and our newspapers. Radio Rootz correspondent; Makeda Sheffield went to find out the hidden questions behind gun violence statistics in the district.
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