We are so excited to announce that commencing on March 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010 the BCCP will collect dresses for our first annual “Belle of the Ball” project. This exciting project will provide high school seniors with prom dresses. Many students find it impossible to attend their high school prom because of the high costs involved. Your donation will allow so many girls to take part in a special evening meant to reward them for their academic achievements and success. We encourage everyone who has a dress (evening, prom, special occasion) that they no longer wear and is in good condition to donate it for this special cause.
Donations can be dropped off at, or mailed to:
BCAL, the Brooklyn College Art Lab
2900 Bedford Avenue
301 Roosevelt Hall (press “3R” in the elevator)
Brooklyn, NY 11210
Monday through Friday from 9am – 6pm and Saturday, 11am – 4pm.
Last year, only 40 percent of the students at Paul Robeson graduated in four years, and the Department of Education says that’s the primary reason the school should be closed. In 2007-08, the graduation rate was 56.7%. In 2008-09, the graduation rate fell precipitously to 40.1%. Credit accumulation rates are also low:In 2008-09, only 58.4% of first-year students accumulated 10 or more credits. Low expectations, low attendance rates, and low graduation rates are all reasons the Department of Education cites for why it wants to close the high school. Twenty-one schools have been told that the Department of Education will begin their phase out in September 2010. Fifteen of those schools — a completely disproportionate number — were high schools. They will phase out in 2013.
Paul Robeson’s Peace Lab filmed at the high school in December. This is an excerpt of our documentary about the phasing out of Robeson.
My fellow brothers suppressed
Criticized by how they dress
This society is just a mess
trying to be the best
Just gotta get off my chest
This heavy weight we call stress
My brothas locked up for theft
In every life people stress, how they’re gonna make sucess
asking your Mom where is your Pops
Not forgetting to run from the cops
Not using any props
you know you gotta stop cuz soon
your insides are gonna pop, lock, and drop
Rapping with the flow all the girls dropping it low
and fathers leaving their kids and walking out the door
They think we are thugs running around selling drugs
But we are determined to overcome
perceptions of us being dumb
The whole world is against us Brothers
and yet still we fight one another
Musically talented they say we are
and we spend our money on big fancy cars
Although I fall I know I can
I can do this that and the other
I don’t have to be restricted by my color
They think we are all uneducated
But I am standing here because I am not the one who ran
I am me..not a criminal
but a miracle
by Kevin R.
DeVante H.
Christopher R.
Chantelle H.
Courtney P.
Jahlena R.
Creative direction by Malachi J.
