Being 12

[wnyc]

“Because I’m Latino, I can’t have money?"  Hear some straight talk from middle-schoolers about race and what it’s like to grow up in such racially charged times. More from our Being 12 series: http://being12.org/

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"One thing I would like to change about the world would be to help poor countries with Ebola, food and shelter." --Teddy Silverstein  I.S. 318, Brooklyn, NYC 

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"I look up to my uncle, a great guy. His name is Sal as well. He sacrificed his life for thousands of Americans in 9/11." --Salvatore Calabro  I.S. 7, Staten Island, NYC

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"Yes, there is drama at our school like people saying stuff about people behind their backs, and it happens most of the time." --Jennifer Sherpa  Hunter's Point Community Middle School, Queens, NYC

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"I want to be a vet when I grow up." Kristian Payne  I.S. 318, Brooklyn, NYC

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"My dream is probably to be a famous artist one day." --Olivia Gilliam  Poly Prep Country Day School, Brooklyn, NYC

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"Some things my friends like about me are that I am nice, polite and I am useful." --Wilmer Martinez  Emolior Academy, Bronx, NYC

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"My parents are always nagging on me about making my bed. And it just confuses me. No one is going to be in my room but me." --Rachel McCain  LREI, Manhattan, NYC

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"Something I would like to change about the world is to stop all the violence and keep people from getting killed every day." --Stephon Bronston  Emolior Academy, Bronx, NYC

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"The best day would be playing soccer, then going home and having a cupcake." —Lily Parks  LREI, Manhattan, NYC

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"It's going to be hard for me to do more athletic stuff when I'm older because I won't be able to run as well. So I'm excited for the next 10 years of my life." --Juliet Homes  LREI, Manhattan, NYC

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"My best friends are my mom and my dad—besides my friends in school—because I can always talk to them about anything." --Ronald Tibball Jr.  Hunter's Point Community Middle School, Queens, NYC

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"I take care of my little brother. Sometimes I have to cook and I have to wash the dishes." --Dakota Law  LREI, Manhattan, NYC

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"I am a kid because I don't have as much responsibilities as others older than me." --Julie Bogad  I.S. 7, Staten Island, NYC

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"I have a chicken in my apartment and her name is Butter." —Ruby Hutchins  LREI, Manhattan, NYC

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"When I grow up I want to be the best football player in the league."  --Albert Gomez  Emolior Academy, Bronx, NYC

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"Since I’m confident in my style, I know if someone bullied me about it I would just say, 'You’re just jealous because I have a unique style that you don’t.'" —Sophie Levit  Hunter's Point Community Middle School, Queens, NYC