Soundtrack to School Violence
Series: Students of Violence
From: Philly Youth Radio
Length: 00:05:02
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Cristel Martinez came to America from the Dominican Republic with a dream to become a music producer. But the only music she hears in school, says the eighteen-year-old senior, is the sound of violence.
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Piece Description
Cristel Martinez came to America from the Dominican Republic with a dream to become a music producer. But the only music she hears in school, says the eighteen-year-old senior, is the sound of violence.
Transcript
Track 1. I walk in and metal detectors are beeping. School guards screaming, “Book bags and anything metal, take it off and throw it in the machine.” Students pack the hall competing to be the loudest. Dufffff, a locker slams. I try to ignore the screaming of “Hey you bitch.” I feel lost for a moment as I walk to my class.
Track 2. 2nd period. Students bang on the door because they’re late. I see a young boy looking nervous. He speaks Spanish just like me. The teacher calls him out to read. He tells her: “Miss no quiero”. Someone from the back of the class says,” This hick – go back to your country or speak English.” The rest of the class laughs and I flinch. It felt like they were saying it to my little sister. I say, “What’s the joke? I sure didn’t get it.” Through all this, the teacher never says a word. She only says, “Be quiet.”
Track 3. I walk to lunch. I pass by some girls and I...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Philly Youth Radio works with young people to produce their own radio stories. The project brings us the series "Students of Violence," where local high school students tell true stories about the violence that has changed their lives. Cristel Martinez came to America from the Dominican Republic with a dream to become a music producer. But the only music she hears in school, says the 18 year old senior, is the sound of violence.
OUTRO:That was Cristel Martinez for the series "Students of Violence." Her essay was produced by Philly Youth Radio.
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