Flushing 2001

The 2001 Radio Rookies Queens workshop was held at the YWCA in Flushing, Queens. Radio Rookie Heather Oplinger describes the Y as "a place where you can feel at home." Heather says that she's learned from the Y that education should come first. "The teachers and staff inspire me to move forwards not backwards," she says. Heather is one of many young people who take GED classes at the Flushing Y. The Y offers other services such as dance classes and choir. Its mission is to empower women and girls and to eliminate racism.

About the neighborhood:

At one end of the 7 train in Northern Queens lies Flushing -- home to countless immigrants from China, Korea, India and many other countries. In 1637 the Quakers pushed for religious freedom here and drew up a famous document demanding the right to hold their own religious beliefs.

Radio Rookies on their neighborhood:

Mary: Flushing is a very crowded city... It's boring to hang out in Flushing, but you can always see people in the street.

Linda: There are so many different ethnic groups that if you really were interested in leaning about another culture, Flushing would be able to provide many useful things.

Heidi: Flushing is full of Asians - mostly Chinese... its boring to hang out in Flushing.

Religion and Family

Monday, February 25, 2002

Religion brings some families together, but Heather Oplinger says it pushes others apart. She and her mother are among many who argue over where and how to worship.

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Anchor Dream

Sunday, February 24, 2002

Linda Lee dreams of being the next Kaity Tong, the WB11's nightly news co-anchor. But Linda worries her Korean roots will get in her way.

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Segregation

Thursday, February 21, 2002

Mary Fory moved to Queens from Colombia. Now she lives among immigrants from many different countries, but she's noticed that even those who speak Spanish tend not to hang out with each other.

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Growing Up Alone

Saturday, February 23, 2002

Sunnie Hwang moved to the US from Korea, hoping she would find the happiness she had as a child -- when her parents were still alive.

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In Your Face Parents

Friday, February 22, 2002

Heidi Choe's parents pay attention to her -- A LOT of attention. She thinks in-your-face parenting can be overdone.

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