"The Classroom Is the Most Amazing Place in New York City"

Bronx High School of Performance and Stagecraft students discuss Obama's March 18 speech on race and reconciliation in the U.S.

The class wrote their own "Yes We Can" speeches.

Says one freshman, Anna:

People say that South Bronx kids will never amount to anything--but I say, Yes we can.

People think that those in our community can't live without the abusive boyfriends or husbands--yes we can.

People say that the color of our skin can prevent us from getting far in life. Are you trying to tell me that I can't get far in life? Well, sorry to disappoint you because, I can.

Teens think that they have gone so deep into gangs that they can't get out, but we need to help them say--Yes We Can.

Yes we can change our community.

Yes we can improve our society.

Yes we can.

Another student, Nelson:

Yes I can fight my fears.

Yes I can be a leader for those who need to be led.

Yes I can release my pain in a positive way.

Yes I can be more dependable.

Yes I can be more responsible.

Yes I can make all this happen even though I have all this on my shoulders, I can move forward in this world no matter what happens.

Yes I can.

Here's an interesting blog post on Queerty linking Obama's speech to Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed--that the struggle to break free from oppression is a collective one.