Stories by The kNOw (Page 1)
Youth Voices Come Alive At "Kick Knowledge"
By Arena Phaphilom
August 31, 2010
"The evening was full of young, nervous and excited performers who were ready to kick some knowledge. Their poetry and spoken word touched on a broad range of heavy issues such as physical abuse, rape, homelessness, losing their native tongues, and bullying, among others..." >>More
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Dear Self...
By The kNOw Youth Media & Other Various Authors
August 18, 2010
"I’m leaving you this letter because there are some great aspects in the future but there are more hardships, especially when you’re younger. At the age of 4 your “great family” will split up. Your mom will send your dad into bankruptcy and your dad will have his “lady friend” help maintain the house. You will move away with your mom and jump from school to school and house to house..." >>More
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It's A Great Time To Be Gay, Youth Reflections On Prop 8
By Melissa Vargas, Silicon Valley De-Bug
August 11, 2010
"I am 17 years old, I am Mexican, Gay and hella PROUD! All my life I've been raised to know I will soon find a nice man who loves me and takes care of me who I will have children with and will share the rest of my succesful life with..." >>More
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Judging Others, For Better For Worse
By The kNOw Youth Media, Various Authors
August 3, 2010
"Honestly, judging is a natural reaction. I think it happens because when we first see a person we don’t know, all we’re seeing is their appearance. We see if they have brand-named clothing, or if their shoes are worn out. We see a person in many different ways..." >>More
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Safe Zone Report: Unsafe Sex And The Aftermath
By The kNOw Youth Media
July 15, 2010
In a small workshop setting, over twenty young people came together on July 14 to discuss the social and physical impacts that sex can have on a teenager during adolescent years. Their conversation, coupled with an educational presentation on STDs and pregnancy, was a first step for some in breaking down the stereotypes and consequences of engaging in sex at too early of an age or without protection... >>More
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Spank Or Smack? When Child Discipline Becomes Abuse
By The kNOw Youth Media, Various Authors
July 9, 2010
Most adults have a way to discipline their children or others around them. But what happens when that discipline starts to leave scars and bruises? The result is almost always abuse, as young writers from The kNOw point out. >>More
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Transportation Stories, Part 1:
Getting Around Town Is Not That Easy!
By The kNOw Youth Media, Various Authors
June 25, 2010
Getting around town to go to school, work, community events, and hang out with friends is an issue that resonates for almost every young person. In a special series on transportation and how it affects the lives of youth in Fresno, The kNOw writers share how the lack of access to realiable transportation is an invisible social and economic barrier to success, especially in a city like Fresno where walkable communities and safe public transportation are limited. >>More
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Prom--Media Invention Or Best Night Ever?
By YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia, Various Authors
June 21, 2010
For many graduating high school students, one of the biggest events of the year -- outside of getting their diplomas -- is prom night. YO! Youth Outlook asked young people in the Bay Area about their most memorable prom moments.
Gang Sweeps Won't Work
By The kNOw Youth Media, Various Authors
June 10, 2010
In an effort to combat gang violence, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office launched a series of sweeps on April 25, 2010 to pick up gang members from the streets. As of May 11, 710 alleged gang members had been arrested. But many of The kNOw writers share that the sweeps offer no solid solution to the gang problem nor does it make them feel any safer. >>More
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Fresno Youth Wanna Know Their Politics
Story By: Donny Lumpkins // Video By: Min Lee, Donny Lumpkins, and Eming Piansay, YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia
June 8, 2010
Editor's Note: As people across California head over to their local polling place, some of the young people in Fresno are getting their chance to have a say in the way their local government is being run. Recently, the youth of Fresno got a chance to talk to the candidates who have been campaigning to be elected as representatives for their local districts. The young people challenged the candidates on a variety of topics from transportation, safety, budget cuts, and education. >>More
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Youth Seek Answers From Fresno City Council Candidates
By The kNOw Youth Media
May 25, 2010
"On Thursday evening, May 20, eleven candidates for Fresno City Council joined over 140 Fresno citizens at the youth-led "We Wanna Know!" Candidate Forum at the Zimmerman Boys and Girls Club. Half of the attendees were young people demonstrating their civic involvement by bringing concerns and issues to the table with candidates in Districts 3, 5 and 7 where some of the most competitive local races are positioned and which comprise some of the most impoverished areas of Fresno where many of the youth reside..." >>More
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In The Land Of Plenty, Young People Go Hungry
By The kNOw Youth Media, Various Authors
May 18, 2010
New studies reveal that one in four California students lives in poverty and that an epidemic of hunger grips many counties where most students do not eat when they get home--even in the Central Valley where a large portion of the world's fruits and vegetables are produced. In this piece, youth writers from The kNOw talk about what it means to go hungry and the sacrifices they make so others can eat. >>More
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Today's Streets Lack Respect
By The kNOw Youth Media, Various Authors
May 13, 2010
"I know about this one particular gang. They used to be all about respect and they learn the rules every time they get jumped in. But people haven’t been following the rules because some of them think it’s cooler not to care anymore. People in this gang have the rules of no drive-bys, no hitting up people when you’re with your girlfriend, no dating underage girls, and the number one rule was respect. Now gang bangers don’t seem to care..." >>More
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Because I'm A Girl!
By Jaleesa Vickers & Gabby Vang
May 6, 2010
"Growing up as a girl in an African American family, I was always told where I couldn’t go, what I couldn’t do, or when I couldn’t go. Usually my mother was the one in charge, and I absolutely had to listen to her. My older brother, however, got to do whatever he pleased. I didn’t think this was fair. I figured out that my mother did this because I was a girl..." >>More
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Students, Parents, and Community Members Say “Enough!!” To Drop Out Rates
By Californians For Justice
April 29, 2010
"Yesterday, students, parents, and community members united outside the Fresno Unified School Districts (FUSD) Building in Downtown Fresno to address the high drop out rates of Fresno’s low income students, immigrant students, and students of color..." >>More
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Selections from “Write A Letter Home” 2010 Census Youth Fresno Campaign
By Fresno Youth, Various Authors
April 27, 2010
"I’m writing you this letter to inform you about the Census. I’m not sure you know what that is… I know I didn’t until now. It may not seem like it, but every voice counts. I would do it myself but my voice is not enough to make a difference, so that’s why I’m asking you for your help, please..." >>More
