Is Anybody Listening?

I watched a report on this video last week on The News Hour With Jim Lehrer. It was created by a group of AP English students at Village Academy High School in Pomona, California in reaction to their teacher asking them how they were doing in lieu of the current economic crisis. Their thoughts are heartfelt, well articulated and very, very real. I think they express really well what so many people around the world are thinking and feeling right now. Take a look:




President Obama watched the video and adressed the students directly in a speech he gave earlier this month, mentioning a student on the video by name. Although the president's shout out was no doubt flattering and boosted morale, I think the students realize it's going to take more than an economic stimulus package to turn things around. This community has banded together to support each other emotionally and practically through donating food and other basic items at school. Hopefully they've discovered the power of their own voices to bring awareness and effect change. And hopefully they've discovered that people are listening and together we can make a difference.

For further reading, click on the link to read more about the Village Academy video in the LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pomona-school13-2009mar13,0,2036324.story