Oct 14, 2008 5:53 pm US/Eastern
Students Create Hip-Hop Video To Combat Violence
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
-
-
Can music heal? Students at one city school seem to think so. They were just featured in a hip-hop music video.
Can music heal? Students at one city school seem to think so. They were just featured in a hip-hop music video.
Gigi Barnett reports the music is designed to stop the violence on city streets.
The beat drives the message. The faces and places bring it home.
"Violence is bad in many different ways," said one youth.
Every student in the video goes to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in East Baltimore.
They're part of a project by the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The goal is to use hip-hop to curb violence on city streets.
"I worry thinking that my brother might be caught up on the playground or something, and they just start shooting. It could be my brother or family member that's dead," said student Tashawnae Pressley.
After weeks of shooting, Cristo Rey students saw the finished product Tuesday at a special viewing.
"We need someone to embrace us and to be our role models. In this society, we are lacking role models. We are lacking fathers and mothers, and I think that's driving the kids crazy," said student James Townes.
The violence came close to Cristo Rey students last month when former city council member Ken Harris was gunned down in Northeast Baltimore. Harris helped the school get its start.
His widow Annette Harris reminded students of his work.
"Life is very short, and we never know when it will end, but we can make the best of our lives while we are living. So we can make a difference," said Harris.
DK, also known as Wayne Watts, teamed up with Cristo Rey students to create the video.
The University of Maryland says violence in Baltimore is now a public health issue.
DK believes that too, but he says hip-hop can stem the tide.
"The kids listen to us," said Watts.
In addition to the "stop the violence" message in the video, the music also encourages students to go to college.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jewish Celebrities
View Cristo Rey Jesuit High School's Music Video
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
