By Najee Ellerbe
UJW
WASHINGTON -- The election of President Barack Obama is fueling a discussion among young African-American men about whether racism is dead in the United States.
No question, Obama's election has been a source of pride and inspiration for people of color across the country and around the world. Many people have said it is a happening they never thought they'd see in their lifetime.
By Kendra Johnson
UJW
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - After being frisked by security, area teens enter the Showplace Arena where the annual Spring Peace Bounce is happening. They listen to their favorite Go-Go bands, dance the night away and simply have fun.
Go-Go is funk-style music that started in Washington, D.C.
By Mariya Ilyas
UJW
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Sixteen-yea r-old Ariel Smallwood of Bowie, Md., recently uploaded her pictures from a past weekend, talked to a friend in California, messaged another friend in Ohio, made reservations to attend Charles H. Flowers High School's "Class of '09 Party of the Century," joined the Duke Class of 2013 Group, and told the world she was having a great day. All without leaving her seat.
With the rise of free social networking websites, particularly Facebook.com, more and more users have been able to "connect and share with the people in your life," as the site encourages.
By Taylor Valencia
UJW
STAFFORD, Va. -- He doesn't make eye contact with anyone sitting inches away from him. Slightly slumped and head leaned to the right, Alexander Juhna An stares at his lap, hands on his thighs.
You wouldn't guess from his appearance but Alex is an athlete.
By Jennifer Kuo
UJW
ROCKVILLE, Md. - Early one morning in the advanced-placement English Literature class at Thomas S. Wootton High School, Jay Mottla, a senior, sits at his desk, opens his book and begins reading Crime and Punishment.
But instead of the 560 pages that students around him are reading, Mottla reads the abbreviated version of 99 pages published by SparkNotes.