A day does not go by that we do not hear about violence on our streets brought on by guns. Chicago Public School students have to deal every day with this violence and at times they do not feel they have a voice.
One CPS broadcast teacher is helping students to express themselves about the violence in our city and how it affects them and their families.
Broadcast students at Curie High School at 4959 S. Archer learn all about the television news industry and how it works . Teacher Jeaneen Sica shows the students how to come up with a story line, how to edit, write, direct, and put on a daily newscast.
"I get to do differ things I would never, ever get to do at another school," said Jasmyne Chambers, Curie student.
The daily headlines are filled with gun violence that the students are exposed to. The Curie students said the reason they chose gun violence as their topic was its prevalence in Chicago and the number of students who are being killed every year.
Three students produced a six minute video sponsored by CSPAN, the public service cable network, on gun violence that received national recognition. The video begins with young children praying for peace with the sounds of gunshots in the background.
Most of the comments on the video came from people personally touched by gun violence.
"The video is powerful because we get a chance to inform people about how gun violence is and maybe someone else is experiencing the same thing so they can relate to it," said Robin Starks, Curie student.
"Kids learn that they have really interesting stories to tell, stories that other people in different areas or different parts of the country or the state just don't have and that their stories need to be heard," said Jeaneen Sica, Curie broadcast teacher.
David Braxton directed much of the video and says this is what he wants to do in the future.
"Gun violence in the U.S. is just something that should be obsolete. It's a pretty sad thing," said David Braxton, Curie student.
The students said they all have been personally touched by gun violence. The video has been shown in all the classrooms at Curie High School and the students say they hope to do another one.
