All We Ask Is That U Listen video premier

Posted by on May 14, 2007

All We Ask Is That U Listen

The senseless beating of beloved Germantown HS teacher Frank Burd has accelerated the discussion about violence in Philadelphia?s public schools. But one voice?the voice of the students themselves-has been conspicuously absent in this debate. Written and directed through a collaboration of Philadelphia High School and Middle School students, All We Ask is that U Listen is a positive and different look at the young people behind the national headlines.

Please come join us at the Ogontz Grill for the premiere of this short documentary. The premiere will be held from 6-9pm on Thursday, May 17th, at the Ogontz Grille, 7152 Ogontz Avenue in the West Oak Lane neighborhood in Philadelphia. The event is sponsored by United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, which supported the production through a grant from the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation, and the EducationWorks Germantown High School Beacon.

Rather than just simply repeat what the public already knows — that there is a serious and growing problem with school violence, that the situation is out of control, and that the violence needs to stop — the students hope that ?All We Ask is that U Listen? can contribute to making the general public aware of what they don’t know but would like to know?that there are positive youth engaged in positive activities in Philadelphia public schools?that the students are not all violent and disrespectful, and that most importantly they themselves have a voice that demands to be heard.

All We Ask is that U Listen takes the perspective that only through self-empowerment, taking a strong stand against violence and youth negativity and a pro-active participation in the decisions that effect their educational experience can a common and lasting solution to school violence be achieved.