Not Working During Summer

My summer, I would say is half and half -- it's boring and it's fun becaus eI'm not working and my friends are and I stay home and watch TV, but from time to time I get tired of that. Summer is a dangerous time because a lot of people can't wait to get up and ruin someone's day. At the same time, it could be fun because you don't have school and homework and you're free to do whatever, unless you get a job. I'm home alone most of the time. During the summer a lot of violence happens because people aren't in school.
- Kelly, 16

Summer is Boring and Tiring

My summer is very boring, tiring and weak. I could be in a funner program. I could spend more time with my friends. I would have had my best summer this summer but my Mama wanted me to join this program at Laney College, so I could get my own money and some college credits. I think that people should have fun time and work time during the summer because that's how it's going to be when we get older. In the area that I live in, summer is dangerous because people in school are on break and they don't really have anything to do. This is around 69th Avenue in Oakland. In order to avoid trouble, I hang with my friend and try to make my own money. Also, I just try to stay in the house and off the streets.
- Mikaela, 16

Summer is Hard Work

My summer is going good, really good. I am currently working and hanging out with the Curse Crew and doing a lot of writing. I think summer is only dangerous when you make it and if you are some where you don't need to be. If I didn't have to work, my summer would be great. Then I would be able to do more hanging out and relax. That's what summertime is basically about. The more time you give yourself to enjoy, the more better time you'll have.
- Jazmin, 18

My Summer So Far

My summer is going good so far -- it's only my third week so far. My first week I went to Camp Akili, and the second week I just went to work. It was kindof exciting because I met a lot of new people and learned a lot of new things. I think summer can be a dangerous time because everybody is out of school because they are more likely to run into their enemies.
- Latajh Weaver, 16

Summer Blues

MY summer is going surprisingly bas ... I haven't done a lot, my friends and I don't really kick it that much. I believe my summer is like this because: a.) I am not very outgoing, b.) I'm not a very social person. If I could have an ipod, believe it or not, I think it would make my summer better, because it would take my mind off of not being around a lot of people. I can't really give advice to others about having a better summer because mines really isn't going to well, but if I would be social, I think I would have a good summer. I'm not home alone, but it feels like it. I don't live far from my friends but they have "busy schedules." Sometimes they just don't answer the phone.
- Akilah, 16

Money Issues

My mom is bringing home the mulah because my stepdad, he don't got a job. But my sister pays some of the rent. My mom has been bringing home money so she's not tripping. I think if you are just now meeting a boy and y'all go out, he should pay, but if y'all been going out then it's like whoever got the money should pay. If a dude is having his lady pay for everything, than they just be using them.

- LaTajh

A Man Should Have a Job

My mom is the one that brings home the money. I think this money situation does affect the relationship between men and women. My mom’s boyfriend doesn’t have a job, but he relies on my mom for a lot. I don’t really think very much of him. If he wants to be the big man in the house, then he should at least be able to maintain a job. I think a man shouldn’t rely on a woman to provide for everything, including a cell phone bill. If you want to be a man, then you need to be a man. You don’t need to spend the whole day running back and forth to the store for cigars and Red Bull. I believe in the 50/50 rule in the family situation.

When it comes to dating, I think the boy should pay. It doesn’t have to be every time or anything. These boys who get girls to support them or buy them things are jr. low lifes. A man should never have to rely on a woman!

- Breanna Clark, 16