EHALL

The students from the BCCP Erasmus Hall and New Utrecht HS Programs met up to enjoy an evening at the movies to watch Hunger Games at the UA Court Street Theatre.  It’s always great to hang out with our other BCCP program friends.

“If I had a son he would look like Trayvon.” – Barack Obama

Stereotypes play a big part!
Racism is still alive!
Justice shall be served!
Violence is still occuring!

Dispatcher: Did you see what he was wearing?
Zimmerman: Yeah, a dark hoodie…
“He’s got his hands in his waist band. And he’s a black male.”
“This guy looks like he’s up to no good or he’s on drugs or something.”

Racism and racial profiling.
Violence is NOT the way!

Dispatcher: Are you following him?
Zimmerman: Yeah
Dispatcher: OK. You don’t need you to do that.

Refusing to follow instructions.
Insubordination

It could be anyone of us.
If Zimmerman was black, do you think things would be looked at differently?
Food for thought.
-Ashley Bibby

Is it not wonderful that are protectors judge us? They were prejudiced and fit us into profiles associated with thugs. They then get off free after the gun and its bang. Trayvon did not get away from this awful fate. When will we finally be safe?
-Trayvont York

The color black…
It means darkness but
The color white…
It means light.
Blacks have been enslaved.
Whites have been our slave masters,
But that color black, it found a little white in its color…
A white shot a black and got away.
Never give up until you pull your ace.
-Jerome Barrett

If that were me…
Laying down with blood and skittles everywhere.
If that were me
I would have my hoodie on because I live in fear.
If that were me
The juice of racism will spread at Florida.
If that were me…
-Lateef Wearrien

I was shot for being black.
How messed up is that?
I did nothing wrong.
What kind a crap is that?
He shot me,
Took my life without a care in the world.
He stood over my dead body.
He watched as I died.
If I were white, I wouldn’t have died.
That racist pig killed me.
He took my life,
For wearing a hoodie! A stupid hoodie!
Eating skittles, drinking…Arizona…
I actually saw the rainbow.
-Joy-Anne George and Jessica Drummonds

The land of the free
Yet I am not free in my own clothes.
I’m not free in my own skin.
I die because you think.
Your thoughts incriminate me before you even hear my voice.
What about you?
Why must your skin make your punishment any less for taking my life?
-Nickeshia Rumble

Walking down the street, just a bag of skittles and an Arizona, going home.
It’s raining and nothing’s happening.
Then bam! A black 17 year-old was shot.
White man thought he was suspicious, but in reality, he was not.
A young black dies, a murderer tries to make it seem he’s not telling lies.
What if he is? What if he isn’t?
Shooting a black kid…that is not innocent.
Why? Just because.
Why did you shoot this black person?
Just because…
Why did you torture this black man?
Just because…
Why did you attack this elderly black woman?
Just because…
Just because what?!
For years, the white man has escaped punishment
For torturing, murdering, slapping, beating, and abusing in all kinds of manners against almost every black nation through identification and segregation and communication across the nation.
Why do we do nothing but sit in frustration when we should receive justice and justify ourselves through the process of justification.
Just because…
-Emmanuel Fortin

-Petronella Blackman

Each morning it’s the same thing. No one says hello; they all say goodbye. This is why I don’t smile anymore and why my happiness no longer shows. The clouds come and drown me out and I no longer know if I will be recognized. Rising, emerging from the distance, to make them all know a new day has come. Slowly, but surely, my daily routine begins. No change, no transformation, no great revolution that I will initiate through the unappreciation of my presence…just the same old thing. Maybe I should go back and lie down, disappear behind my sheets and let the rain come and take my place. I just want someone to say, “Thank you for coming out, brightening up my day in the way that only you can. Thank you.” But no, never do I get that. I tried to retreat, but got stuck in the middle of the sky. I couldn’t go back to hide my pain, and I couldn’t rise to give them light. I was there, trapped to witness the joys of a happy world with no one noticing me at all.

Then he arrived. That smug look on his face made me sick. He was so happy, calm as if nothing was happening out of the ordinary. He noticed me, of course, but never could he acknowledge me. We looked at each other; I was angry and he was elated. He played his guitar, but no sounds came from his mouth. At least say thank you, you smug little man, but nothing. We were disconnected from the rest of the world, our voices finding no connections.

What will he do next? I was ready to go now, tired of his stupid little games. He turned his guitar around, holding it in an odd way. Was he going to play it like this? But how? Intrigued, I sat back, stroking my golden beard. Left! Right! Diagonal! Other Diagonal! Taken away watching the briskness of his step pulling the guitar in the sand, I thought of him differently; still annoyed with his smug previous actions, but finding him interesting in this aftermath.

He was done, and called my attention waving his guitar in the air like a mad man. “Thank you Mr. Guy in the sky. Signed Silence.” The words of his masterpiece; I was no longer stuck and as the tears welled up in my eyes, I knew I could go back and wake up again knowing that I am appreciated.

Nickeshia Rumble
12th Grade

Last week was regents week and it was a struggle for some students.  This year most students really had problems with the algebra and history (Global and US) regents.  English was easy students stated.  This year students had to pick up there math regents to at least a 80 because they were told that colleges raised there standards. If you don’t have a 80 on those math regents you might have to take remedial math classes in college AND PAY FOR IT TO! smh 

A lot of students are now saying that they are not going to do the advance regents test because its not worth the stress

I hope they change their minds because it doesn’t hurt to try!

I am Jerome Barrett, YCD Senior, take care!

Former Erasmus Hall student and current college student stopped by the program and brought it a slew of tasty/healthy delectables from the Farmers Market to share with students.

Michael McDonald graduated from Youth and Community Development HS on the Erasmus Campus last June.  He attended the BCCP Program for four years.

“I came to the program when I was just a freshmen, curious about what went on.  I learned so many different skills while in the program and lessons that will stick with me for life.  I had the pleasure of working with so many great people (Nixon, Rene, Nate, Ms. Paige, Clarisa, Cynthia, Nikki, Jill and many more).  I owe them so much because they changed my life and so many lives each day.  I guess what I’m trying to say is thank you all for everything.”

Michael spoke to current students in the program about his  experience in the BCCP Program and his new exciting college experience at The New York City College of Technology where he is majoring in Business Management. 

We all had a great time.  Thank you Michael.

We almost had them!

Many people love to give up at the last moment.  The last moment is what tells if you are ready to move up to bigger and better things.

The Erasmus Hall Girls Basketball team is a prime example of this statement.

It was a very scorch fire burning game on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 when Ehall played Madison HS.

Whenever Madison scored, Ehall came right back and scored double. By the end of the game, after Madison’s coach called multiple time outs to stall the game, the score was Madison 51 and Ehall 50

Ehall Girls Basketball team never gave up.  It was a lost but it wasn’t that bad.  Good job Madison but we coming harder next time.  We almost had you guys

More Ehall happenings to come!!!!!

I am Jerome Barrett, YCD Senior and I’m out!