Youth in America Today
Voices of Tomorrow 11-24-2010 - This week's episode: Interview with Aram Allen Nadjarianhe about youth today-he has been with KidsTalk for the past 14 years. We have shared several stories on the show. Listening to this show will also give you our listeners an insight and understanding on what KidsTalk "Voices of Tomorrow" is all about regarding our younger generation and what we do to help them.
Aram gave his point of view on how it helped him and how we can build our youth of today with confidence and stability through these very difficult times.
Also, helping two teenagers on-line during the Live show with drug and alcohol issues.
Watch the 5 minute show preview:
About Voices of Tomorrow:KidsTalk was born in 1996 and has produced Voices of Tomorrow for the past fourteen years. Voices of Tomorrow has an amazing Twist! Unlike the traditional talk show circuit formats of today. We take The Positive Approach; none of the youth are pre interviewed, this giving our precious youth an uplifting experience that becomes our future leaders of tomorrow. Celebrating its fourteenth year, the highly acclaimed KidsTalk, is now nationally known and has garnered the Los Angeles Business Journal Award, Davey Award, Presidents Award, The Gracie Allen Award, twenty two (22) Telly Awards bringing the total number of accolades the show has received to one hundred and two (102) awards! We will continue the mission in serving our youth in every capacity.
Watch the entire 60 minute program (un-edited):
You Have To Die To Get Out Of A Gang!
Gangs in America I walked into Southgate Junior High School with my production crew, preparing myself to interview our inner city teens on Gang Violence. I approached this massive concrete stairway to these very large doors knowing that I would be faced with all these teens that are so excited to see us, all talking at the same time and all wanting to be on TV.
As we meet the principal and staff they explain to us our time line. We must get to work immediately since the teens have very short breaks for us to interview them. The show topic is called Kids Against Crime. None of the youth will be pre-interviewed, giving them the opportunity to tell their stories of life in Junior High School.
As I approached my first teen to interview I see all her friends watching me in silence, anticipating what questions I am going to ask, as I look into their young innocent faces I noticed a sense of excitement. This made me feel good, knowing that maybe, just maybe, we can get their voices heard and help them in this gang infested city...
Rosa, was my first teen to interview, I asked Rosa, about crime, gangs, peer pressure, getting pregnant; with her shy and empty face I felt a feeling of her being afraid to tell me the truth, I got the message! They are afraid to talk in case something happens to them. So I let them know It's OK, and then the questions and answers started.
Rosa starts talking, It's hard when they ask you to join their group. You know it's a gang, you know you must say no, you also know the consequences if you do say no. I asked her did you tell your parents? Yes, did they help you, No, they don't listen, and we are also threatened if we do talk.
I then interviewed Lindsey: I just made the right choice and said no. Drugs can ruin your life and mess your brain up, I told my parents, but they didn't listen or understand what I was talking about.
George, steps forward knowing he has found someone that will listen to him, It's not right, too much violence. I don't want to be in a gang, I keep saying no, they keep pressuring me and telling me how great it is. I asked, how do you tell your parent, he said, I don't!
One young man tells me how he messed up and was in a gang, I thought it was cool ! I asked him! What drives a teen to go into a gang, It's all about money. You can leave school and have all these things. They make it sound so good. If you have nothing you are tempted with all the fancy cars, clothes and a feeling of love and belonging. But then my girlfriends sister got shot, its something you never get over.
Then Wendy, They put all these girls against me that makes it hard for you to say no, and when you say no they dont leave you alone. I asked her, how do you get out of a gang? With this sad voice she says, you dont, you have to die to get out of a gang. I ask! Do you have friends in a gang, yes, I had two girl friends, they both got shot, how do you feel about it? You dont, you just carry on with your life, this is how it is.
This continued with their true to life stories. For most of them walking back and forth to school every day is a challenge with the gangs and shootings, always looking over their shoulder?
It seems the root of this gang infested city is no communication with their parents. I could feel in their small voices pleading for help from their parents. They have no support; their families do not know how to support their children. Language barriers, cultural issues and gang life.
Just think for a moment, what is more important than your children. Please, sit with your child and Just Listen to them before it's toooooo late. What they have to say may not seem important to you, but to them it is it can mean the difference between life and death.
"Keep Talking I Am Listening"
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