Table of Contents

Welcome

National News
Editor: Keila Pinales
Staff: Alexander Lambie, William Powell Jr., Jeffrey Perdomo, Lisbeth Diaz

World News
Editor: Manuel Collado
Staff: Adama Wint, Stephanie Walters, Inez Colon, Tysha Shaw

Arts & Entertainment
Editor: Stephanie Cribas
Staff: Courtnei Greene, Laquashia Jones, Michelle'le Espada, Siobhan Weeks

Opinion / Editorial
Editor: Sether Kim
Staff: Kimalisa Medici, Stephanie Colon, James Jackson

Creative Writing
Editor: Cora St. Marie
Staff: Evan Bernier, Shanthini Burton, Samantha Delgado, Raquel Adunum

Sports
Editor: Damarys Robles
Staff: Jeffrey Gautier, Roberto Hernandez, Luis Burgos, Michael Ohanbamu

Welcome to the Boogie Down Gazette

Legitimate journalists vocalize the ideas, opinions, interests, loves, and fears of the people. Staff writers at the Boogie Down Gazette are no exception. The newspaper created by the 2nd period Writing Genres II class attempts to introduce the important issues of 2007 to the online blogging community while maintaining the unique voice of the Bronx communities they call home.

On behalf of the National, World, Arts & Entertainment, Opinion/Editorial, Creative Writing, and Sports Departments, I welcome you to the Bronx Academy of Letters first publication of the Boogie Down Gazette.

-Ms. Désirée Battaglia, Publisher & Teacher

*A special Thanks, Peace, and Respect to Mr. Antoine Jumelle and Mr. Ameer Kim El-Mallawany for all of their help with this assignment.

Who’s Your Pick?

By Jeffrey Perdomo, Greatest Writer in the Eastern Hemisphere

For the past seven years, Americans have been greatly upset with George W. Bush’s presidency. Now, thirteen new candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties have stepped up to take over the Oval Office in 2008. But it won’t be easy to decide; anyone could be the winner.

For the Democrats, Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, Al Gore, and John Edwards are the big names running for the nomination. A poll done by the American Research Group shows that the odds on favorite is Hilary Clinton, Senator of New York, by 34%. But some think that Barack Obama should lead the Democratic Party come 2008.Desiree Battaglia, a 10th grade writing teacher for Bronx Academy of Letters, said “[Barack] Obama’s ideas, passion, and good will are what we need after George W. Bush.” A student from the same school, Laqujashia Jones, says “…we need a black president.” The main issue about the Democratic election is that it will show whether America is ready for a black president (Obama) or a female president (Clinton).

For the Republicans, Rudolph Giuliani and John McCain are the top two people considered to take the nomination. Many suggest that Giuliani might win, only because of his positive role after the 9/11 attacks. John McCain, Senator of Arizona, is also appreciated because he is popular with people since he has vocalized his support for the troops in Iraq. Yet he wants to keep troops in Iraq, which will most likely hurt his chances of winning.

There is no way to determine who might win the election at this point. The primary election is in November. Analysts do know, however, that it will be a big fight to the finish.

I Pledge Allegiance to MY Flag

By Lisbeth Diaz, National Information Giver

Why take away the "Under God" part of our pledge of Allegiance? Since 2001, the U.S government has been planning to take away the "Under God" part of the pledge. The question still remains- should America combine loyalty to the country with a devotion to God?

The pledge was created near the end of the 19th century, but the United States was founded in the late 18th century. The "Under God" part has been a recent addition. The original pledge was written by Francis Bellamy on October 11, 1892. He didn't use many of the words that are on the pledge now.

Here is the original pledge:
" I pledge allegiance to My Flag
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all."
(Francis Bellamy, Writer of the original American pledge)

On October 12, Columbus Day, Francis Bellamy was asked to write a pledge that children can say in the beginning of school everyday. As years went by, it wasn't only used by children, but politicians used it as well to prove who is more patriotic. Children were even getting arrested for not saying the pledge. According to atheism.about.com, "In Chicago in 1916, Hubert Eaves, an 11-year-old black student, was arrested for not demonstrating proper respect to the flag. According to him, it was a symbol of Jim Crow laws and state-approved lynchings: 'I am willing to salute the flag as the flag salutes me.'" On s6.invisionfree.com it states, "Next they will want to remove the words on our money that say 'In God We Trust.'"

Will You Have To Pay the MTA’s Debt?

By Alexander Lambie

In 2007, subway riders may have to suffer from another fare hike because of the strain on the MTA’s treasury after recent renovations around the city

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) gets subsidies, or loans, from the government to aid the company with renovations and paychecks. In the MTA Financial, it states that the amount of money they got in subsidies was $497 million in February of 2006, then it went up to $502 million in 2007, and they believe that it will continue to increase to $541 million by 2009. According to Chairperson Liu, the head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, because of this excessive borrowing, “The riders will be forced to pay for this through a sooner than necessary fare [increase] that is wholly unacceptable.”

People in the city of New York would be especially affected by a fare increase because of the fact that almost every New Yorker participates in some sort of daily commute. Desiree Battaglia, a well respected teacher and advocate at the Bronx Academy of Letters, says “I do not think the public should pay for the specific loans of the MTA.” Ameer Kim El-Mallawany, another teacher, activist and future football coach, would feel angered greatly if there was to be a fare increase because he feels that the cost for a subway ride is already a little too much and, by having another fare increase, the MTA would defeat the purpose of public transportation.

Eliot Spitzer, the governor of New York, still feels that there is light at the end of this subway tunnel. He says, “We will do everything possible to avoid a [transit] rate hike…we will increase state investment in transportation – both capital and operating sides of the budget because that is the only way to maintain our transportation.”

Out of Context

By William Powell, National Newswriter Extraordinaire

According to the New York Times, “The n-word has been used by young African Americans who have appropriated it as a, perhaps ironic, term of endearment.” The recent decision to place a moratorium on the “n-word” happened on March 10th, 2007 to persuade people to stop using the “n-word”. The New York City resolution was sponsored by Councilman Leroy Comrie.

Comrie states, “The n-word was derived solely out of hate and anger and that meaning cannot be changed.” Many African Americans community leaders, with the backing of fellow lawmakers, say the word is offensive in every context and should never be said.

Most black people would not take kindly to whites calling them the “n-word.” Words are contextual. A man on the street can call his wife “Baby”, but that doesn’t men other man should be able to as well.

It has been tested that a majority of the people that hear the “n-word” has associate it negatively.

Out of a class of thirty students at Bronx Academy of Letters, more than half of the students said they would be offended if a total stranger came up to them and called them the “n-word.” However when they were asked what race they imagined that person to be many answered Caucasian. Why is that? Perhaps because those people still think that it’s OK for someone to call them the “n-word” as long as they are not Caucasian.

The “n-word” is a controversial issue of which some people might not be aware of the consequences. Most people would say getting fined may be a little extreme for just saying a simple word, but those people are wrong. Yes it maybe cool and funny to call your friends the “n-word.” But what happens when a complete stranger says it to you? Especially if that person is a totally different race. When does it stop being funny?

Inevitable Disasters

By Keila Pinales, World News Editor

Throughout the years, there have been many unavoidable tragic events. Two of the many tragedies are the disastrous hurricane and tornado that have recently terrorized southern communities in the U.S.

Hurricane Katrina ripped through the southern part of the United States, leaving nothing behind, in late August of 2005. Forming as a category 1 Hurricane on August 23 in the Bahamas, and suspiciously growing into a category 5, it damaged the city of New Orleans, Louisiana and the coastal part of Mississippi. The storm terrorized parts of the United States, taking about 1,836 lives and leaving 80% of cities flooded.

Besides being one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S history, it has cost an estimated $81.2 billion to rectify. A year and a half after the storm, repairs are still in flux. After this great tragedy, things have not settled down. In New Orleans, on February 13, 2007 at three in the morning, a tornado hit the state. It resulted in twenty-nine injuries and one death. This storm also caused the destructions of the reconstructions from Hurricane Katrina.

In March 2007, a tornado threatened the U.S once again. This time, it struck Alabama, where eighteen people died. Seven were high school students. As they walked through the hallways, the walls of Enterprise High school collapsed and buried the students, who were following the safety procedures.

Erin Garcia, a 17-year-old senior from the high school, states, “I was just sitting there praying the whole time.” The people in the high school were not ready for the bad weather. As Garcia continued, “People didn’t know where to go. They were trying to lead us out of the building. I kept seeing people with blood on their faces.”

The storms continue to destroy and the public is concerned with the poor leadership from the government. Though, nothing can control the ways nature behaves, it strikes many as odd that more than a thousand people died in Katrina and more people keep dying as the storms keep hitting mercilessly, but that the government is not responding. One of the beneficial things of our advanced
technology is that hurricanes and tornadoes are foreseen in time for the government to take leadership and get people to safety. However, no advances or improvements have been done to help the people that are mostly affected by these disasters.

These deadly storms will continue, according to weather forecasts, and there may be no one to stop them. Nevertheless, the actions of people in the government could be enough to secure the protection of each individual in the U.S.

Suspected Mastermind Behind 9/11 Confesses to His Actions

By Inez Colon, World Writer

Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who has always been suspected of being the brains behind the September 11th attacks, has confessed to his wrongdoings. A military hearing transcript released by the Pentagon on March 14, 2007, stated that Mohammed confessed in a military hearing held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Saturday March 10, 2007. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed has always been linked to the September 11th attack.

The military hearing transcript has evidence of the September 11th attacks. Mohammed had letters from Osama Bin Laden, a computer hard drive containing information on the September 11 hijackers, and details of other plots. Mohammed not only was the mastermind behind the September 11th attack; he confessed to thirty other attacks and plotting, but not all have been publicly announced. He had plans to bomb landmarks in New York City and London, and also had plots to assassinate Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and the Pope John Paul II as well. He was responsible for the World Trade Center attack in 1993, a bombing in a nightclub in Bali which killed 180 people in 2002, and planed attacks on American skyscrapers like the Empire State Building.

Mohammed said, “I was responsible for the 9/ll operation from A to Z.” Everything that he says will probably be used against him if he is put on trial for war crimes by a military commission. He has also been the chief aide to Osama Bin Laden. He said that his actions were a part of a military campaign. But he also added, “I’m not happy that 3,000 [have] been killed in America, I feel sorry even. I don’t like to kill children and the kids.” Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was arrested in 2003. He was tortured while he was in custody. As stated in the New York Times, “He said that his statements at the tribunal on Saturday were not made under duress or pressure.” Now that he has confessed, he will most likely go to jail or receive the death penalty.

Ahmadinejad Says “Iran Will Stick to Atomic Work”: “Iran Not Lying”

By Adama Wint, The Battaglia Publishing Company’s Best Writer

Last week Friday on March 8, 2007 Iran president, Mohamed Ahmadinejad said that no amount of pressure from the U.N and the U.S would stop them from going on with their nuclear power program. Although the U.N and U.S think that they are going to use the nuclear power program to build atomic bomb because the program received a shipment of uranium, the main product use to build these such bombs. The U.N thinks because Iran is not allowed to put cameras down stairs the nuclear power plant head quarters to monitor the programs activities that they must be up to something. International tension over Iran's disputed nuclear program has risen further in recent days, sending oil and gold prices higher. The West suspects Iran is seeking to make atomic bombs, a charge Tehran denies.

On February 21 Iran ignored a deadline to suspend enrichment or face further actions. Ayatollah Mohammed a member of Iran’s highest council stated “we are serving our nations not building arms” and that the U.S and U.N have nothing to worry about. Since the U.S does not know if Iran is planning on attacking America then innocent lives are possibly put at risk everyday. It scares people when comments like this are made. "If America starts a war against Iran, it won't be the one who finishes it," Morteza Saffari, naval forces commander of the Revolutionary Guards, who was also quoted by saying by the ISNA news agency. "Our people will not even allow one American soldier to enter our country," he said in the southwestern city of Shoush. This statement and many others like it make U.S. officials question are they really telling the truth and what are they doing behind closed doors. Many people worry that they are not getting the whole truth from either side like what would make Iran want to attack the United States.

Iran says that they re using the Nuclear power program to increase there technology and electricity. Which is hard to believe that they waited this long to do so. A meeting will be held next week Wednesday to vote on whether or not they will be able to continue the program. When receiving any atomic bombs a country must sign a treaty stating that they will not use the bomb to do any harm to the U.S 188 countries have signed including the Iran. Although these countries have signed this treaty does not mean that if they felt like taking such actions as to blow up a house or a country they could one day they could.

Chavez’s War on Capitalism: Don't Bite the Hand that Feeds You

By Manuel Collado, Writer Extraordinaire

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has declared President George Bush his enemy. Chavez sits on top of one of the largest oil reserves in the world. The United States if America, being in desperate need of oil, seems to be cutting its life lines by becoming enemies with their 4th largest oil supplier.

Venezuela provides a lot of affordable oil for the United States. They provide the oil through a company called CITGO. The growing tension between Bush and Chavez may exterminate this partnership and cause oil and gas prices to skyrocket. Chavez said, "The U.S. administration is behind the opposition in Venezuela, and Mr. George Bush has a black hat, black horse and black flag. He is the main instigator and the main planner of all the movements that have attacked us."

The raise in gas prices may also lead to great losses of jobs for people who work with the CITGO Corporation. Chavez has started stalking Bush throughout his trip around Latin America. George Bush has been running a five city trip in Latin America and Hugo Chavez has been in neighboring countries putting together anti-Bush rallies. Chavez has gone as far as proposing a “bet” to the president saying, "I bet a dollar to Mr. Bush to see who will last longer, him there in the White House or this Venezuelan, Hugo Chavez, here in the Miraflores Palace. Let's see who lasts longer, Mr. Bush."

Chavez is well known for his friendship with America’s enemy, Fidel Castro of Cuba. It seems like Chavez is out do the opposite of what Bush and America do. Hugo Chavez is against capitalism and America is pro capitalism. Chavez has taken pictures with the late Saddam Hussein which has been known for mass genocide and other acts of violence. Mr. Chavez has also been accused of harboring revolutionary guerillas in Venezuela as well as raising funding for his own military buildup. Chavez believes that Bush is to blame for all of America’s problems. As far as the recent accusation for military arms buildup, Venezuelan resident who wishes to be referred to as Taylhardat states, "He wants to do now what Castro failed to do in the 60s, when he sent out Che Guevarra to export the Cuban revolution to the rest of the continent [of South America]."

PS3 or XBOX 360: “USA vs. Japan Clash of the Titans”

By Tysha Shaw, Writer for the Battaglia Publishing Company

Japan's revolutionizing of video games is causing increase their economy. Japan's economy started off weak but has found a way to help boost up their economy. Japan is creating new game systems that will sell in other countries. Japans interest in making game systems and selling their product in the United States is contributing to their economy.

After Japan started heading towards a good economic recovery, they started making things that would not only keep their country entertained but can help keep other countries such as the U.S. entertained. Japan's creativity with inventions is on the next level. Japan recently invented a new game system called PS3. As a result of this new invention many people in the U.S. wanted to buy the game system and did what they could to get the system. Japan has also included things in their game systems that would get more people to buy their products. Sony Computer Entertainment America boss Kaz Hirai said "PlayStation 3 may allow users to browse the web and download movies directly over the Internet". Kaz Hirai believes that their new game system would sell more if people can do more than just play games on it. Emil Bush, student attending MS 232, said "PS3 has mostly everything that an XBOX 360 and more. Even though Sony didn't make many copies of the PS3, they made more money than the selling of XBOX 360." On the other hand, Moses Chacon, employee of a local drug store, stated, "XBOX 360 is better because it's more like a computer. Everything you do on the computer can be done on this game system, but Sony did make a lot of money when they sold the PS3." Even though Moses Chacon and Emil Bush have different perspectives on the different game systems, they both agreed on the fact that Sony did make a lot of money off the PS3.With all the entertainment in Sony's PS3, Kaz Hirai hopes it will provoke more people to buy their product.

Will the Japanese economy become greater than the United States economy? The Japanese economy has the second largest market economy in the world. Most of Japan's new technology, game systems and electric devices get exported to the U.S. If Japan continue to export their goods, such as their new game systems, to the U.S. and more people buy their things then they are going to replace the United States economy.

Flaws in the System

By Stephanie Walters, Writer for the Battaglia Publishing Company

The Modern American Educational System is going through a big change. The system is riddled with problems. The students are either not learning fast enough or are barely learning anything at all. The graduation rate is dropping; most of the students are graduating with less knowledge and capability then other students in industrialized countries. Corruption in the classrooms and hallways are common now, school violence is on the rise and even the school buses aren't safe anymore!

In many schools now, the teachers are to blame for the student's lack of performance tests. Students also complain about the atmosphere of the schools with the security guards and metal detectors. Students don't feel like they're part of the school. Experts say," The educational system is essentially telling them that they have little important as individuals and they better behave like the rest of the herd if they want to avoid getting into trouble." Since students feel this way they don't want to participate in school activities and tend to resent the teachers. Experts say "You might as well take their names away now and just give them numbers."

School violence is another issue as it's happening more often then before and the security is nowhere in sight. Students see a lot of problems with the school's security measures but metal detectors at school entrances might keep most weapons out of the school building but that doesn't stop them from picking off students after school.

Doctor Love Knows it All!

Want great advice on relationships?
Well, here is your chance to ask.
Doctor Love is here for you.
I answer questions about crushes, first dates, and confrontations.
Any question is fine with me. Whatever the question may be, I’m here for you.

Dear Doctor Love,

How do I confront my crush? I get very nervous and choke on my words. Can you help me?
-Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,
I have to say that you need to take it slowly. You can’t just rush up to them and tell them how you feel. What you need to do is be more open with your crush, be more flirtatious and see how your crush responds to you. If he or she flirts back, wait a couple of days before you tell them that you like them. If they don’t flirt back or act distant, then it wasn’t meant to be. It’s their loss.

-Sincerely,
Doctor Love

Dear Doctor Love,
How do I make a girl like me?
-Jay

Dear Jay,
First of all, you can’t make a girl like you. But what you could do is act more flirtatious, make a girl feel loved and special. If a girl doesn’t like you, then leave her alone, it’s her loss! You can’t pressure her into having feelings for you. You need to take it slow and have patience. Everything comes in time.
Sincerely,
Doctor Love

Dear Doctor Love,
What’s a good way to approach a girl?
-The Confused

Dear Confused,
A good way to approach a girl is to offer her your friendship. A girl won’t pay any attention to you if she doesn’t know if she can trust you. After you become friends, tell her how you feel. The worst thing that can happen is her rejecting you. You need self-confidence and some self-esteem in order to approach a girl. Like Doctor Truth from Links2Love.com said, “Maybe you come on to girls just as a friend and they don't see you as dating material.” But remember, if you offer her your love and she doesn’t want to listen or give you the time a day, then she is not worth fighting for.

Sincerely,
Doctor Love

Dear Doctor Love,
Should a guy always pay when you go on a date? I always have this fight with my boyfriend. Please give me some advice!

-Starr

Dear Starr,
My answer is… NO!! If he offers to pay, then by all means let him pay. But sometimes it’s nice to pay for half of the meal because a guy is not always going to pay or have a lot of money. It is called common courtesy.
Dear Doctor Love,

What are good things to give to a boy on a special occasion?
-Confused

Dear Confused,
It depends on what occasion it is. If it’s for Christmas, then you should get him something that he has wanted to get for so long but doesn’t have money to buy it. If it’s Valentine’s Day, get him something that he would never expect. For his birthday, get him something that you know that he loves. But everything you get him has to be in his liking, you have to know what he likes and what he doesn’t like. Good luck on that and keep me posted!!
Sincerely,
Doctor Love

Dear Doctor Love,
Why do people tend to fall in love easily?
-Shy White Girl

Dear Shy White Girl,
There is no real reason why people fall in love easily. Some people tend to fall in love too easily because they let their emotions come between the real meanings of love. They fall head over heels for someone and realize that they weren’t really in love; they were just in love with the idea of being in love. Eventually, they end up getting hurt. Ezine Articles says that, “The key to receiving the answer is being able to accept the truth. Sometimes we don’t want to know the truth because it hurts. It hurts because we want things our way, just like we dreamed it up.” I hope that this isn’t happening to you. But if you are, please know that I’m here for you.
Sincerely,
Doctor Love

Dear Doctor Love,
How do I stay calm and not panic when I’m talking to my crush?
-BK Princess

Dear BK Princess,
First, you need to relax. It’s just a boy, not the President of the United States. Second, you need to feel comfortable with yourself. And last but not least, you need to RELAX!! Choking on your words is very unattractive, and stuttering makes you look like a fool. You have to feel very confident about yourself, because boys do not like girls who don’t believe in themselves; it’s a huge turnoff. Just be yourself. Talk to him as if he was a regular ordinary friend. Stick to your guns and get with the confidence booster!!
Sincerely,
Doctor Love

Dear Doctor Love,
How do you know when someone is in love with you?
-Angel Girl

Dear Angel Girl,
One way to know if someone loves you is when you have that gut feeling in your stomach. The feeling of butterflies in your stomach that makes youand you know for a fact that he feels exactly the same way. You’ll know when you see him.
Sincerely,
Doctor Love

R&B’s Best

By Siobhan Weeks

Have you heard of Boyz II Men? Well, if you didn’t I am going to tell you a little bit about them. Boys II Men is an American R&B/soul singing group.

Boyz II Men are from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1988, as a quartet, Boyz II men found fame with members Wanya Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris. From 1990 to 2000, Boyz II men were signed to Motown records where they became one of the most successful R&B male vocal groups of all time. Their first album sold more than ninety million copies. Their #1 three singles “End of the Road”, “I’ll Make Love to You”, and “One Sweet Day” featuring Mariah Carey, sold 50 million singles. Boyz II men moved to parent label Universal Records after the 2000 album and than to Arista Records.

In their early career, Boyz II Men made several significant appearances on the recordings of different artists. Wanya Morris appeared on Brandy’s single “Brokenhearted”, while the whole group supported LL Cool J on his hit “Hey Lover.” To produce the song “One Sweet Day.” It was the group’s teamwork with Mariah Carey that proved to be the most significant. It became a success, and topped the charts of a record of sixteen weeks and was nominated at the 1996 Grammy Award “Record of the Year” and “Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.”

By this point, Boyz II men were popular, not just in the U.S, but worldwide. The members of Boyz II men were particularly noted for their vocal abilities. The influences of the group were felt and heard throughout the R&B world. And spawned several copy bands such as Dru Hill, Jagged Edge and Jodeci.

In 2003 member Michael McCary left the group due to chronic back problems resulting from the disease scoliosis. In year 2005, ever since Michael McCary left the group, members Wanya Morris, Shawn stockman, and Nathan Morris decided to continue to go on tour and record music as a group of three.
Boyz II men were on tour in year 2005 in San Diego, California. They had a concert that featured the R&B singer’s kci and jojo. The concert was February eighteen 2007 at metro city.

Boyz II Men is a great singing group since the late 1980’s and even though they had competition with the group Jodeci they never gave up and they continued recording music. They got to make a lot of singles with different R&B singers such as Mariah Carey, Dru Hill, Jagged Edge, Blackstreet boys and more. Boyz II men had ups and downs but, that didn’t stop them from becoming one of the most successful male vocal groups out there. This is why they are an inspiration to an enormous amount of people in this world.

French Fries: The Foundation of America’s Food Chain

By Michelle’le Espada, Restaurant Reviewer

What makes McDonald’s so good? Some people say it’s the chicken mc nuggets, the desserts, or mainly the French fries.

Throughout the Bronx, McDonald’s is one of the fast food restaurants that most people love. Eric Schlosser, is an excerpt from his new book Fast Food Nation states “The taste of McDonald's French fries played a crucial role in the chain's success -- fries are much more profitable than hamburgers -- and was long praised by customers, competitors, and even food critics.” Some people say that they love Mc Donald’s because it satisfies them more than other fast food. Sixteen year old, Luis Burgos states “It’s more than just food, it’s a satisfaction.” He personally feels that the burgers are the best but Laqujashia Jones, also a sixteen year old student at Bronx academy of Letters, disagrees with him. She says “Mc Donald’s is the best, and I just love the nuggets special.” Laqujashia also states “The white whole meat and crunchiness is what makes them so good.”

Mc Donald’s makes millions a year because of customers like Luis and Laqujashia who love their food.

Rip the Runway Girl!

By Laquashia Jones, Fashion Diva

Kimora Lee is taking urban fashion to the next level. Her clothing line Baby Phat, is worn by models like Tyra Banks and Claudia Schiffer. It started in 2000, launched by her husband Russell Simmons. Kimora Lee’s bold and vibrant clothes skyrocketed. Baby Phat was created to give a woman’s apparel to Phat Farm. Baby Phat apparel now includes clothing, accessories and footwear for juniors, plus sizes and girls. Russell Simons was once quoted, as saying “Since its inception in 2000, Baby Phat’s revenues have grown dramatically every year.”

Baby Phat first hit the scene as publicity tool when tiny tees with the clever name of Baby Phat. Then when celebrities, supermodels and tastemakers began wearing baby tees, a decision was made to launch an entire Baby Phat sportswear collection. Since Kimora Lee started modeling for designer Karl Lagerfeld at the House of Chanel when she was twelve, she already had a since for fashion. Over the past seven years, Kimora Lee has taken her personal sense of style and created a new paradigm within the fashion and business world with her unique vision of clothing and accessories. Kimora Lee is now vice president of Baby Phat. Baby Phat has been feature in magazines like Bazaar, Gotham, Seventeen, Star and Vibe.

Kimora has an exotic look that makes fans love her. She feels she has to be a role model for the girls around the world. Kimora Lee states "I want to be like a permanent household fixture, from the pots in your kitchen to the sheets on your bed; I want you to sleep on me." Kimora Lee is taking the fashion world by storm and giving hope and faith to young girls every where.

Baby Phat’s slinky feline logo has become a world-wide recognizable fashion symbol. The noticeable hip-hugging mark jeans represent everything that is feminine, glamorous, and sensuous about the Baby Phat woman. The leather, outerwear, handbags, shoes, jewelry, two limited edition Motorola mobile phones and a signature fragrance are for every female. Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons continues to take fashion to new heights, more than your average urban denim company. Baby Phat is a lifestyle for the glamorous woman who is everything hip-hop and everything fashion.

The Evolution of Robin Thicke?

By Courtnei Alexis Greene, Assistant Director of the Youth Founded Journalism Company

Who is Robin Thicke? Robin Thicke is the son of Alan Thicke from the old show Growing Pains. Robin is a blue eyed, creamy skinned California boy. Thicke grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles during the '80s and '90s. He gets his musical taste from his father who has always motivated him. Thicke has been writing music since he was thirteen. Later on he started produced and writing music for others in 2000. He wrote for Christina Aguilera, Mya, Brandy, Marc Anthony, and Jordan Knight. Thicke has always written and performed behind closed doors. It was not until his booming album The Evolution of Robin Thicke that he had the critics talking.

This debut album had people everywhere talking about his latest song “Lost Without You”. His reviews have been such an improvement since his last album. His last album was A Beautiful World. The album was a commercial failure only selling 63,000 copies. Databirdie from AOL music review says “I haven’t heard of Robin Thicke before ‘Lost Without You’, and just found out who he is, and who is singing that great song, on-line. What a gifted artist! Seeing him and his talented band play on video, they were all so into it. They remind me of the great soul artist of the late 60’s-70’s, like Marvin Gay and Curtis Mayfield. It’s great to see talented artist like this, finally, in this decade. A lot of people may have not known him since the beautiful “Lost Without You”. Myriam Ann Wilson from AOL review also thinks that Robin Thicke has done a good job with his album. She says "A friend of mine asked me to listen something and when I first heard “Lost Without You”, I honestly thought that it was someone “black”, not saying blacks are the only ones that can sing, obviously not, but Robin has this unique sound and his voice is just so soothing and sexy I made it my business to go out and buy his cd”.

Some of his stand out tracks that I personally love are “Complicated”, “Wanna Love You Girl” and “Lost Without you”. These are my favorite tracks. These are the kind of songs that get you up in the morning and keep you alive all day. These songs are the core and what makes the album so hot.

Robin Thicke has done a great job since his last album. According to the internet movie database “He has sold more than 20,000 copies in his first week”. The Evolution of Robin Thicke has top the billboard charts with his hit singles “Lost Without You” and “Wanna Love You Girl”. This album has been a huge success.

Unified By Uniform?

By Stephanie Colon, Journalist

As a student of the Bronx Academy of Letters, you must come in with your uniform everyday. According to the Bronx Academy of Letters Dress Code, “Students who do not adhere to the dress code will be sent home to change after parents have been notified.” So why is it that seniors come in wearing sneakers that aren’t all black and long sleeve shirts under their uniform and no one says anything?

Many Students, like myself, feel that the seniors get special privileges when it comes to the dress code. The deans stay on top of the underclassmen but the seniors get to slide by like nothing. Everyday you see seniors coming in with sneakers that aren’t solid black, but if anyone who isn’t a senior comes in like that you are harassed until you change.

Every morning as we walk into school one of the deans are standing at the door to make sure we are in uniform, and everyday you see Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen being yelled at for not following the dress code. Then, on top of that, the deans go around to each classroom to make sure no one is wearing sweaters or long sleeve shirts under the Bronx Letters polo shirt. Many students are pulled out of class and escorted to the bathroom to take off the shirts and then brought back to class. Now ask yourself this….Have you ever seen this happen to a senior? I think not!

Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen all have to follow the dress code strictly. All the deans the deans make sure of this, “I think if we’re supposed to follow the code strictly so should seniors. They go to this school just as we do” says sophomore Iliana Aragon. According to the Bronx Academy of Letters Dress Code, “Repeated violations of the dress code may result in in-house suspension, conference with the principal, a principal’s suspension, and/or transfer to another school.” Now, I cant lie, most of these things don’t happen, BUT I have seen students go to in-house for not following the dress code, but none of them were seniors.

Something needs to change. In this school one of the things we strive for is unity. We aren’t going to achieve this if everyone isn’t in uniform and everyone isn’t following the same rules. We are all part of the Bronx Academy of Letters, so the rules apply to the seniors the same way they apply to us. Everyone in this building should follow the same rules and be treated the same way. Sophomore Luis Burgos says, “If they are supposed to be prepared for college this is not teaching them the facts of life; that you cant have everything your way.”

Before it Becomes Dinner

By Iliana Aragon, Opinion Writer

It’s the start of a new week and most people are going grocery shopping, buying things like fruits, vegetables, and meat. But, how many people asked themselves how animals such as pigs, cows, and chickens are treated before becoming their dinner? During recent years the mistreatment of animals in factory farms has increased enormously. The factories are so eager to produce their final meat products they couldn’t care less that the animals last moments of life are spent in a huge boiling tank.

In the slaughterhouses the animals go through an extremely painful cruel process. The animals are transported in open trucks; the animals aren’t protected from weather conditions. Many of the animals die on their way to the slaughterhouse itself, some freeze to death in winter, or die from heat stress and suffocation in warm weather. Industries transport the animals in open back trucks with no protection from the weather because it is much cheaper on the industry rather then paying for the adequate protection. From there some animals are hung upside down fully conscious and animals are stunned before being slaughtered so they won’t feel the pain. But, slaughterhouses set the electrical current too low because they’re afraid too much electricity will diminish the value of the meat. Once they’re submerged into the electrifying water some still come out alive since stunning procedures aren't monitored. From there, their throats are sliced to drain their blood. Others, who are still alive, make it to the next station conscious and are boiled alive. Other animals such as calf have it much worse since the process is longer and some go through the tail cutter, belly ripper, and hide puller fully alive and conscious. Santiago Moreno a slaughterhouse worker states, “They blink. They make noise, the head moves, their eyes wide and looking aroundthey die piece by piece.” Now is it fair for these animals to die in such a cruel way? The stunning process should at least be monitored so the animals won’t go and suffer such a horrific painful death.

In an informal poll of twenty-six people conducted in the halls of Bronx Academy Of Letters only an astonishing five knew what the fate of the animals in slaughterhouses was. Kimalisa Medici, a current student at Bronx Academy of Letters, who wasn’t aware of the mistreatment claims, “It’s wrong for factory farm workers to kill and treat animals in such an inhuman way, because they wouldn’t like for someone to take their pet and treat them like that.”

Every day across the country meat products are delivered to supermarkets and butcher shops. Yet people aren’t aware of the ending the animals go through. There’s ways to make the process less painful yet people don’t realize it or take action on it.

Is She That Innocent?

By Kimalisa Medici, Opinion Writer

Has Britney gone wild? Ever since Britney Spears, 25, and Kevin Federline, 28, ended their marriage on November 7th, Spears has been considered “crazy” by the media. But who is to say someone is crazy instead of misunderstood? Spears has been caught partying, drinking and recently shaving her head and going in and out of rehab. Everywhere you see a newspaper or a magazine, the front cover is plastered with the face of Britney Spears as if there is nothing more important in the world. Clearly, the media has gone mad. But, has Britney?

It’s been said that Spears is not a good mother because of her wild behavior. Does that really mean she’s not a good mom? “She calmed down when she was with Kevin Federline and the kids,” says childhood pal, Jason Alexander. While with the kids and ex-husband, Spears does her duty of being a mom. She may like to party but who doesn’t? Yes, she has kids, but as long as she takes good care of them and gives them the tender, love and care that they need, then what’s wrong with having a little fun? A source close to Spears has said “She’s convinced she’s suffering from post-partum depression and does not think she has an alcohol or drug problem.” Spears didn’t deny she uses drugs or drinks alcohol, but, when you’re going through problems and having a tough time with a divorce, you just believe that anything that can make you feel better will take your pain away.

Another example, in a New York Post Article on Britney Spears, writer, Marianne Garvey quotes, “ After the second rehab attempt, she beat a photographer with an umbrella in a gas station parking lot.” That’s it. What Garvey doesn’t explain is how Spears was being harassed not in a parking lot but in front of Federline’s house trying to see her kids. At first, like many others, Federline was convinced that something was wrong with Spears as well. A source close to Britney and Kevin said, “…Now that she has settled into life at Malibu, California’s Promises Residential Treatment Center, her ex’s fears have been settled.” After seeing that Spears can stay at a rehab center and participate, Federline’s starting to feel like she’s not insane at all. He’s now starting to understand what she was going through and he wants to put the past aside.

People need to STOP worrying about Britney Spears and her personal life. There are other things in the world that need to be paid attention to. What if someone in your family was going through what Britney is going through? You wouldn’t like it if somebody was going around and writing about them being crazy. She’s human, she’s going through things that everyday people do. Instead of ridiculing and trying to disgrace her, people should try putting themselves in her shoes and support her. Get over Britney and move on with your life. Read other articles, maybe you’ll learn something.

Where was Bush?

By James Jackson, Opinion Writer

The White House and its staff should be wrecked in a hurricane and have to wait around for two years for Bush to help. Several celebrities such as LiL ` Wayne, Jay-Z, P-Diddy, Nicolas Cage and others could continue to help as they did with Katrina. While the government sat back just making claims that help was on the way, the celebrities actually helped victims. The governments “help” never arrived.

The job of the United States government is to protect and help the nation in times of need. They didn’t, it caused uproar in the black community. Rap star and New Orleans native Juvenile states, “If we as the United States could put a million troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, we can definitely put the same effort towards New Orleans and Mississippi.” While he made a powerful comment, fellow rapper Kanye West caused controversy with his statement on public television where he said, “George Bush hates black people”, due to the simple fact he did not help Katrina victims.

Rap moguls P-Diddy and Jay-Z donated one million dollars to the American Red Cross. They also contributed Roca-Wear and Sean John clothing to those in need. Furthermore, rapper Nelly also made contributions to the Katrina effort by paying for victim’s food, cloths, and medicine from his own fundraiser. New Orleans rapper LiL` Wyane made a song dedicated to Hurricane Katrina victims where he vents about how his city feels neglected by the government. In the song “Georgia”, he says one of the most powerful rap bars I’ve heard “Look at the bull**** we been through/had the ni**** sittin on top of their roofs/Hurricane “Georgia” Bush/then they tell ya lies on the news/ the white people smiling like everything cool/but I know people that died in that pool/I know people that died in them schools/ now what is the survivors to do?” What kind of man do we have leading out nation?

I feel that America is in is in a terrible place right now. We have been through so much and Bush has not stepped up. Where is he?

The Invisible Threat

By Sether Kim, Opinion Editor

Many different ethnic groups are discriminated against because of the color or the appearance of their skin. Racial discrimination is spreading all over the world. People of this country are ignorant and stereotypical because they judge you by appearance. What comes out of their mouths isn’t true at all. What gives them the right to say racist things and then say that it’s true even though it’s false? Racism starts at home. Parents are the very source of inspiration that the children get so they can gain confidence in themselves to say racism should exist.

I’ve been racially discriminated against because of my physical appearance. According to some of my friends, I cannot see because my eyes are “squinty”. According to some people around where I live, it is alright for them to curse and taunt people of my race and of Asian descent. It has existed since Asians first came to America and it made its way up until today. It is an invisible threat that is almost impossible to get rid of.

Schools, mostly in New York City area, are having trouble with this issue, especially Asian Americans. They are constantly getting discriminated because of their culture and no one in the school is rectifying it. In school, when I get called a “chink” or “chino,” not one dean steps up to punish that person. Instead of giving out punishments, they laugh with them and they add to the insults. So who is there to really justify the discrimination that not only I get, but all the other Asian Americans receive in United States of America? In a school where everyone should be equal and everyone should be treated correctly, why is it that racism still exists? Rather than correcting it, adults encourage it by not doing anything and adding on to the discrimination even though they hear it all the time.
It’s also happening in the outside world.

According to the New York Times newspaper, it states that, “…researchers (professors) of Asian descent are systematically harassed and denied advancement because of their race.”

Also, recently, police officers were accused in the shooting of Sean Bell, a black man they suspected was involved in possible weapon possession. The New York Times states, “The November 25th shooting that killed 23-year-old Sean Bell stirred outrage around New York City and led to accusations of racism against the NYPD. Bell was black, as are two of his friends who were wounded in the shooting.” Most people in this country still think that racism is not a big issue. Michael Goodwin, an op/ed writer of the Daily News, states that Sean Bell’s death was just “…a horrible tragedy.” Why is it that only Sean Bell’s case was only a tragedy? Nixzmary Brown’s case was considered murder, so why isn’t his?

It gives people of this country the confidence to harm others emotionally and let them get away with it. It leaves the discriminated helpless to fight back. According to Matthew P. of Teen Ink Magazine in Westford Massachusetts, he states, “It is unfortunate that something as foolish as racism is still around in the United States, a country made up of so many different people and cultures. Something has to be done about the problem if the country wants to survive.”

Dedication

The Creative Writing Department of the Boogie Down Gazette would like to dedicate the following section to the memory of Farrah Fuentes, a friend, a classmate, an inspiration, and a light in the darkness.

Unanswered Questions

By Shanthini Burton, Creative Writer

Why do people have to die?
It is like one minute
They are there and the
Next they are gone.
People always say,
“People die for a reason.”
But what kind of reason does it
Have to be
When God takes away
Loving mothers,
Small innocent children,
Caring fathers,
And friends.
What reason does
God have to
Snatch someone’s
Life away
In the blink of
An eye?
People that you are close to
And cannot imagine living without them.
What is the reason for taking them away?
What about the people that lost
That person?
How would they feel?
I can tell you:
They feel
Empty,
Incomplete,
Not willing to live anymore.
And then what?
“Life goes on, right??”
Wrong.
Those people sometimes
Become stuck and can’t figure out
Which way to go.
All they want is a way out
Of this hole that
They feel inside
How will they fill it?
There is no answer to this question

It’s All Love

By Evan Bernier, Creative Writer

I was sitting on the couch, watching TV, but I couldn’t grab onto the humor of The Wedding Crashers. It was just moving pictures and nothing was connecting to me. I was tired but I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get the fight I’d had with my mother earlier that day and everything that my father had told me for months out of my head.

It was three in the morning when I heard the sound of dragging heels as if they were too heavy to lift up were walking down the pavement. Feet that use to be strong, independent, and soft like babies feet were rough and scarred with internal hurt.

My parents had been divorced for almost a year and things weren’t right. Daddy was a manager at a car company and my mom was a nurse at the nearby hospital. When my mom cheated, my father left, making it hard for my mother to pay the rent on a three- bedroom house in the city. We moved into a small apartment in the projects, while my father stayed in the house. I saw him almost every weekend and he would laugh when I talked about my mother and how depressed she was. He thought it was what she deserved for being such a w****.

I always thought he was right until that night. A few of my boys and me were going to the club not knowing that it was Stripper Night. When we got there were fine girls. It wasn’t until after ten o clock when the strippers came on the stage. The fellas and I paid to sit in the seats where the women come and dance for you. The first one out was a beauty. She had caramel skin and eyes that made you melt. Her proportions were right just the way I liked it. Unfortunately, I was in the fourth seat so I didn’t get my chance. A second girl came out wasn’t as pretty as the first.

The third woman was one that the boys were in love with. There was something about that face that was familiar but with all the makeup and fancy clothing, I couldn’t figure who it was. As she came close to my main man, Jason, I realized who it was and my jaw dropped.

I was surprised to even spit out, “Mom?”
The woman looked at me and behind the prettiness I saw the woman who I thought was faithful and had self respect. Her eyes widened. “Anthony, what are you doing here?” She was about to flip out, but she clenched her jaws together.
“What the f*** are you doing?” I asked. My friends looked at me, unsure of what to do. Just when she was about to make up a lame excuse, I just got up and left my homeboys and walked to the Bleaker subway station pissed off. I wanted to take the bum that was sleeping and punch his lights out but I kept my composure.

The next day, my mom told me that she had lost her job as a nurse and later on had met some guy who would pay more than enough to pay for the rent to dance in his nightclub. She took the offer and had been doing it ever since.

“I was going to tell you but I didn’t know how. I was desperate to do anything for this family.”
“What family? I don’t even know you anymore, Hot Chocolate.”
“You’re not being fair, Tony. I had to do this. It’s all love, baby. How do you think I met your father anyway?”
“I don’t care. All I know is that if you don’t stop, we’re gonna have problems.” All of a sudden, the door opened, revealing a tall, fat guy in all black. “May I help you?”
“Yeah, is your mother home?” My mother came into the doorway.
“Hey Boss, what’s up?”
“Is everything ok? Last night was not acceptable. I can’t have my workers leaving in the middle of their shifts, making my customers unhappy. Are you coming tonight?”
“I’m sorry boss, it won’t happen again...”
“Ya damn right it won’t happen again cuz she’s not going back there.” I was about to shut the door, but my mother held it tight.
“Excuse us; we’re having some issues right now. I will see you at seven as always.” I surrendered my hands and backed away from my mom. I went into my room and packed what I needed. After the door shut, my mom came into my room.
“Where are you going?”
“Where do you think?”
“I hope not to Elliot’s house.”
“Good guessing.” I stuffed my shirts into my bag ad went into the bathroom to get my toothbrush and hair products.
“Tony, please don’t. I’m sorry, but I was desperate. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t ask Elliot for the money. We’re divorced, remember?”
“Yeah, I remember. But don’t you remember me? Your son? The one who stayed here for you? I’ll see you later, whenever that is.”
“TONY! NO!!!!!! Please baby don’t leave me, you’re all I got now.” Even when I shut the door, she was still wailing like a baby.

“The Dance”

By Raquel Adunum, a Poet

The razor blade dances at finger tips
Twirling on edges stained red
Merely a spot or two
Left un-kissed
By the blistering steel’s rage and mischievousness
Neither once nor twice
Had blade merged with casing stripping exteriors
She's the one with the stern face
And the long sleeves on
Without a smirk
"Oh she's fine"
They wanted to believe
Unconscious of the girl's passion and willingness to bleed
Though what would it solve; she thought one day
To take the pain
And transform it into something equally the same
The demons encourage her to break the skin
Repeating the self-torturing sin
And to feel at home and in control
Of all the bumps left to complicate the road
And to lose so much
Yet gaining the life to die…
“A cheap way out of life,” without actually trying to live
“She did it because she was without love,” they’d always imagine
But she had love
That bond with the steel rim
But you know…
Nothings forever
And eventually the music stops
So does the dance

What You Love

By Samantha Delgado, a Creative Writer

Hold on to what you love
As long as you can
Take it in now
Never knowing
When you will lose it.
You were born in it
For all the ones who care
When you thought
No one was there.
Friends and family who love you
The most,
Always make sure that you
Have their trust.
Through the good and the bad
No matter, they always try to make you smile,
In time of tears and in time of happiness.
Their always love you, through pain
And without. They always care for you and
Always are there for you
Though the entire world and all
The changes you make
Always be a good person because
Of the way you think. Feelings are how to life,
Love is how to care, when someone you thought was
Never there. To hold and to
Keep you warm in there arms.
A shoulder to cry on and a person
To love that you know that will never give up.
Always be a good person because
Of the way you think. Feelings are how to life,
Love is how to care, when someone you thought was
Never there. To hold and to
Keep you warm in there arms.
A shoulder to cry on and a person
To love that you know that will never give up.

Confidential Thoughts

By Cora St.Marie, Creative Writer

“ Oh God that can’t be him,” said teenage Essence Hunter as she saw her ex-boyfriend Darryl Thompson. He was a senior in his high school and was known for his unbelievable athletic abilities on the varsity basketball team, at Carver High School. His hazel glossy eyes were shining as the sun was beaming on his face. He had just the picture perfect smile that would make any girl go insane. Darryl used to be perfect, well, in Essence’s eyes at least.
Essence Hunter was a sophomore in her high school year, and flashed back to her freshman year where she had met and spent most of her time with Darryl. She snapped back into reality when she heard loud laughing coming from outside her high school gym. Three heads popped into the gym’s entrance. It was Darryl and his two other friends, laughing so loud that their voices echoed throughout the gym. Essence and Darryl glanced at each other and kept walking as if they had never known each other. Essence drifted off in her own pool of thoughts, where Darryl was, until her friend , Jordan suddenly interrupted her.
“ Girl, isn’t that him?” she said.
“ Hm-mm... Yeah that’s him,” Essence replied.
“ I still can’t get over how he flat out played you like that,” her friend said to her remembering, what Essence had said.
“ Well what’s done is done, huh?” Essence answered in an apathetic way.
Essence’s heart was racing when she thought about what had almost happened between her and Darryl last year. She was almost an inch away from making a decision that would alter her whole perspective about teenage life. It seemed as if all of her friends were suddenly finding their “soul mates” as they called it, including Essence. That was, at least, what she had thought. She had talks with her older sister about the whole topic of intimacy. Her sister had told her that it was hard at first for her to give up her virginity to a boy but some way he convinced herself to do it. Essence’s sister had told her not to do it until she felt completely comfortable with it, because she told her exactly...
“ It hurts like hell! Why don’t you actually look up the meaning of peer pressure, and then you will know what it is in case it comes your way?”
Essence did just what her sister said when she went to her room and turned on the computer. She found a definition of peer pressure.
“ Peer pressure is when “ friends,” persuade you to doing something that you don’t want to do,” she read aloud from her computer screen.
She began to think aloud how that related to her, None of my friends or anybody else that I know would lead me into doing something that I didn’t want to do... Yeah this doesn’t relate to me at all. So why am I so worried?
***
About a week later, Essence’s two friends that she had known for a long time had already told her that it was really no big deal. They had made it seem as though there was no pain involved. This was when Darryl started talking about it with her. She sometimes felt overwhelmed by how he constantly kept asking her over and over again. He told her that he had been waiting long enough, and if she loved him she would do what was right for the both of them. At the same time she didn’t want to disappoint him, because she even thought in her own mind that he truly did care for her. She was lost in his many persuasive words at times when he talked to her when they were alone. She knew that if she listened to him she would lose something precious that she would never get back. So many questions raced through her mind on what to do because Darryl had already invited her to his house on Friday when their school would have a half-a- day.
It was the end of the day when Jordan had came over to Essence’s locker asking her if she wanted to chill after school. Essence lied to her and said that she had to do something for her mother at home, she told her that she would call her later. Essence waited until she couldn’t see Jordan anymore when she turned the corner and left the school building. She picked up her books and was off to Darryl’s house; he told her to meet him there because he hadn’t come to school that day.
About two hours after Essence had arrived they were acting as if they were friends, laughing, talking, and playing around until they were settled down into Darryl’s couch in front of the TV. He turned off the television and stood in front of her extending his hand out towards her. He lead her into his room near the back of the house, and her palms started sweating as she saw him close the bedroom door.
“ Sit down, make yourself comfortable baby,” Darryl told her.
She did just as she was told, a few moments later she found herself lost in Darryl’s intense caressing that she didn’t know when to tell him stop. He eased his hands down her pants while still kissing her when she stopped him to hold his hand right where it was. She just stared in his eyes for a while, trying to read his thoughts. His beautiful hazel eyes had taken on a darker hue. This wasn’t the Darryl she knew and trusted; it was someone else.
“What’s wrong, why you stopped?” he asked. “ Don’t you love me? Don’t you want to be with me?”
“I do but... but...” Essence stammered.
“ But what!”
Essence stood as she looked at the boy she cared so much for practically talking to her like she was his daughter.
“ I....I just don’t think I’m ready for this yet” she answered
“ NOT READY FOR WHAT! Do you realize how lucky you are to be with me right now? Do you know how many girls would kill to have a chance with me? But, what and I doing, I’m stuck here with an inexperienced little girl who “thinks” she ain’t ready for a real man, is that it?”
Darryl got up off the bed where Essence had been laying right next to him. He began to put back on his shirt. Essence began to think to herself, My sister was right. The computer was right. I’m doing something that I don’t need to be doing. I know damn well I’m not ready for this, he’s not the right one... and wait a minute did he just call me a little girl! Oh HELL NO!
“Excuse me, I’m sorry I don’t think I caught that, did you just call me a little girl?”
“ Did I stutter? You heard me, you just a little girl. No wonder you ain’t have a man in a while.”
“ Okay here’s a thing that you need to realize, I AIN’T NO LITTLE GIRL!. How dare you talk to me like you my father. You’re worthless, you pressure girls into doing stuff that they don’t want to do. If I say I’m not ready then that means I’m not ready and to tell you the truth you may have good looks but guess what it’s not getting you very far because you’re dumb as hell. Remember that! ” Essence collected her things and slammed the bedroom door.
“ Well I don’t need you anyway, you not anyone important, you remember that!”
“ But guess what, you’ll never be the man that you so called think you are now so get over yourself!”
Essence felt as though there had been a weight lifted off her chest and then she realized that she had just lost one of the cutest boys in her high school. But, she knew that she would wait until she was completely comfortable with herself and then boy she considered to be lucky enough to lost her virginity to. She then realized that she really didn’t care it was a decision that was best for her.
“Essence!... Essence! little girl do you hear me calling you?” Jordan asked her as she attempted to bring her friend back from gazing so hard at her ex-boyfriend.
“ Huh, what... What happened?” Essence replied as she looked at her friend who was shaking her like a manic.
“I said come on let’s go, geez where is your head girl?”
“ Nowhere I’m here, really I am,” Essence answered.
“ Yeah right you can tell me, what’s wrong?”
“ Sorry girl, it’s confidential thoughts” Essence said as she watched Darryl starting to play basketball. She walked out the door smiling to herself.

Interested in Knowing Who was the First Woman to Slam Dunk?

By Damarys Robles, Sports Writer

On March 19, 2003, Candace Nicole Parker was the first woman to slam dunk at a tournament game against army. She became the first women to dunk twice in any NCAA game. Candace Parker ended the game with twenty-six points, seven assists, five rebounds, and four blocks in twenty-six minutes of the game.

Candace Parker was unsure that she would be able to dunk during this tournament, but she decided to head straight to the basket and dunk. “I took an outlet pass and just went and did it,” stated Candace Nicole Parker. Candace Nicole Parker brought light to all the other players. According to Lucas White “Parker came to Tennessee as perhaps the most decorated high school player in history.” Many people hear about her being the first women to slam dunk at an NCAA tournament and are proud of her. “I am proud that Parker successfully dunked and gave other players a positive impact,” stated Roberto Hernandez, a student at Bronx Academy of Letters.

You’ll be surprised to hear about woman dunking wouldn’t you? Some men think that it is impossible that some woman can be better then some men. Believe it or not it can be true. According to Jason a high school student at careers and sports, “I personally think that woman is capable of doing anything men can do, especially if you put your mind to it. “ Candace Parker has not only made herself look good but she made other woman feel good about them. She gave motivation to her team mates. She can prove to you that anything men can do women can do, perhaps even better.

Ballers Jus’ Keep BALLIN!!

By Luis Burgos, Certified Sports Representer

The NBA has done it again. Besides the excitement on the court that the NBA brings to its fans worldwide, they have now came into the charity game. It is no secrete that NBA players are paid way above a normal salary, but now data shows NBA athletes are giving almost 20% of their earnings to help communities around the world. That’s not all they contribute. In 2003, Commissioner David Stern announced the new initiative called NBA Cares. Through NBA Cares, the league, players, and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than eleven places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.

According to David Stern, “For years our players and our teams have together and independently reached out to communities to touch the lives of people in need. They will continue to extend the NBA Cares outreach initiatives through all NBA cities and countries over seas”. One major contributor to this cause has been former Los Angeles Lakers star, five-time NBA championship winner, three-time NBA MVP, and Olympic gold medalist, Ervin “Magic” Johnson, who, in fact, built his foundation on charity programs.

Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV in 1992, but he didn’t let that slow him down as an individual or as an athlete. This was an encouragement to many HIV infected people worldwide who saw his strength. Johnson, from there, looked for every possible way to help himself and others in the same situation, as well as try to find a cure. He has started a multi-million dollar foundation to help people. He also has his foundation that helps to educate kids who struggle and provide low income families with better homes. He is currently in production to make video games, educational TV shows, and organize other events to promote kids to do something else besides hang out outside or turn to wrong solutions to problems. He has his own movie theater and, with the help of his foundation and treatment, was cured of HIV.

Magic Johnson isn’t the only player with a large foundation; Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning has a foundation of his own. In 2006 he raised over $100,000 which he split with hurricane Katrina victims and families from his old community. He also hand delivered food to families and even spent the holidays with some of them. On many occasions the NBA has had games where players would donate $1,000 per point. Some players like Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Lebron James, Gilbert Arenas and Chris Webber all participate in hosting events for kids and even teaching them how to play various sports and read. The NBA players as a whole donate over $50,000,000 a year to help others. Many people debate that basketball players make too much money, but many don’t recognize what the athletes do with their money. They aren’t just athletes they are philanthropists. And despite their on court business, they are BALLIN!

Active Off-Season Equals Possible Super Bowl Run

By Roberto Hernandez, Skilled Sports Analyst

It is time for college players to compete for a higher rank in the draft. This is a day where drafting a highly ranked player will possibly help a team’s organization. Just ask the Oakland Raiders with the 1st round draft pick (overall) who have a huge decision to make in choosing Jamarcus Russell or Brady Quinn. Damarys Robles a sophomore at Bronx Academy of Letters says, “I am not aware of any players that are in the draft, but my cousin plays football in college though.” According to ESPN, “Free agents are looking forward to getting signed and players wanting to be traded.” Any critical move can be a massive factor during the off-season and can affect a team’s chance at the Lombardi trophy.

The New York Jets are having an active off-season by adding Chicago Bears Running back, Thomas Jones to their offensive running game. They have also signing Fullback, Darian Barnes to create space by blocking for Jones. The New England Patriots are also having an active off-season by adding Linebacker, Adalius Thomas (Baltimore Ravens) and Wide receiver, Donte Stallworth (Philadelphia Eagles) to their line up. Adalius Thomas is giving the N.E. Patriots strength in their defense while Stallworth is giving Quarterback, Tom Brady an effective target to throw to. Dave Gladow, Journalist for NFL.com says, “The big move is the addition of linebacker Joey Porter, who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Porter is slowing, but he should still be an emotional leader for the Miami Dolphins.”

While other players and teams are preparing for the new season, Lance Briggs of the Chicago Bears is calling it quits; he wants out. He says, “They need to both rescind the franchise tag, and let me move on, or trade me to another team. Because that’s about the only way this thing can have any kind of a positive resolution.” Now Briggs is planning to sit out the season until something gets done. NFL is not always about the sport; the other half is business. The season doesn’t start until money is put in the right hands.

Do You Care about Steroids?

By Jeffrey Gautier, Pharmacist

The use of steroids affects the intensity of athletic events. Athletic people tend to use oral steroids to rapidly improve their performance and try to stay away from drug tests. Steroids have toxics which causes more side effects.

According to Roberto Hernandez, a sophomore at Bronx Academy of Letters, “Body builders do not only use steroids but they also sell it.” Body builders sell steroids because there are a high number of users so they just sell it to one another. According to Goaggies.cameron.edu “In World War 11, anabolic steroids were given to Hitler’s troop to increase aggression”. The illegal use of title of drugs to give ability had been made since the fifties. The Russian athletes were the first to use steroids in official competitions and in 1960’s Olympic Games. Steroids alone can cause hair loss and may increase the risk of heart disease.

According to www.well.com “Steroid abusers subject themselves to more than seventy side effects from liver cancer to acne and encompassing psychological as well as physical reactions. The parts of the body that are most affected by steroids are the liver and the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. In males, steroids can cause withered testicles, sterility, and impotence. In females, irreversible masculine traits can develop along with menstrual irregularities, breast. Reduction and sterility. Both experience negative combative behavior known as "`roid rage" and depression. Some side effects may not show up for years, such as heart attacks and strokes, and some might not even be recognized as side effects, such as failure to achieve full height potential because of arrested bone development during adolescence. Body builders use steroids because they have contests of who has the most cuts ( strongest) and they also get addicted to the drug so once you use it and see the difference your body is developing you wouldn’t want to stop it becomes your hobby.