On Blast is an organizing tool for the Philadelphia Student Union. On Blast represents the needs and interests of young people. We know that mainstream media doesn’t have our interests in mind when they broadcast their news, or play commercial music. The owners of mainstream media use their content to maintain the status quo; their framework comes from a place of sexism, racism, militarization and class oppression. At On Blast, we choose subject matter that amplifies the voices of those not being heard; those who are routinely hurt and misrepresented by the dominant media.

On Blast
On Blast is an organizing tool for the Philadelphia Student Union. We know that all young people can be leaders. We know that students have deep analysis about their schools and communities. We know that young people's voices need to be heard before real structural change can take place. At On Blast, we choose subject matter that amplifies the voices of those not being heard-- especially young people-- and those who are routinely hurt and misrepresented by the dominant media. We are using media to organize & liberate.

On Blast: Show for February 2012
by Philadelphia Student Union
1 Feb 2012 at 9:35pm
On this month's show: A look at school closures on a national scale School nurse layoffs put students at risk An uncertain future for Chester Upland School District Students organize across language barriers at South Philly HS The search for the next Philly Superintendent Plus music and other news.
School Nurse Layoffs Endanger Students' Safety
by Philadelphia Student Union
1 Feb 2012 at 3:14pm
In an effort to save money, the School District of Philadelphia has laid off 47 school nurses. This means that there are now 32,900 additional students without a nurse on any given day. Apparently, students' safety is the latest casualty of Governor Corbett's education budget cuts. Bernard Nesmith interviewed nurses who have been holding a weekly protest in front of the school district building and produced this story.
Dear Governor Corbett,
by Philadelphia Student Union
27 Jan 2012 at 3:10pm
On February 7th, Gov. Corbett will announce his plan for the next state budget. A week later, on Valentine's Day, students and parents from across Pennsylvania are coming together to demand that Governor Corbett make equitable school funding a top priority in the next budget.Valentine's Day Rally for Public EducationFebruary 14, 2012 - 12pm - Harrisburg Capitol Building  Register to reserve a seat on one of the Philadelphia buses: www.showloveforeducation.eventbrite.comRally sponsored by: Philadelphia Student Union, Project Peace (Reading PA), TeenBloc (Pittsburgh PA), Juntos, Campaign for Nonviolent Schools. Contact megan@phillystudentun...
On Blast Show for December 2011
by Philadelphia Student Union
22 Dec 2011 at 11:42pm
On this month's show: Students, parents & teachers untite to form One Voice Students reflect on their defeat of school vouchers A third grader speaks about the school to prison pipeline The importance of art & music in school Plus music & other news.
Building Prison Beds Based On Third Graders' Test Scores
by Philadelphia Student Union
22 Dec 2011 at 11:15pm
The school to prison pipeline starts early. It has been said that you can predict the prison population by looking at how many third graders perform poorly on standardized tests. But has anyone ever asked third graders what they think about this? Kim Reed did. This is her report.
Vouchers Can't Find Support in PA
by Philadelphia Student Union
22 Dec 2011 at 11:19pm
On December 14, voucher supporters couldn't find enough support for a school vouchers bill to bring it to a vote. With this defeat, it looks like school vouchers will likely not come up for a vote again anytime this year. In a short roundtable discussion, PSU members Bernard Nesmith, Andrea Jobe, Daesya Parker & Keith Lomax reflect on this victory for public education. The students talk about the role they personally played in turning public opinion against vouchers.
Save Our Schools
by Philadelphia Student Union
23 Dec 2011 at 12:59pm
Cities across the USA are closing schools rapidly. This story features interviews with parents and students from New York City & Philadelphia, who shed light on the effects of school closings. This piece was made to encourage people to continue to fight for pubic education and their human right to learn. Produced by Ericka Johnson.
One Voice: Students, Parents and Teachers are Coming Together
by Philadelphia Student Union
13 Dec 2011 at 1:36pm
One Voice is a new formation emerging in Philadelphia. The purpose is to get parents, students and teachers talking about issues that affect our schools. Each of these three groups have been working to improve education in their own ways, but over the past year some key students, parents & teachers have seen the need to come together. Especially in this time of transition in the Philadelphia School District -- with new School Reform Commission members, & the search for a new Superintendent -- One Voice believes that now is the time for students, parents & teachers to have a voice in the new leadership. Shamiah Williams interviewed One...
On Blast Show for November 2011
by Philadelphia Student Union
22 Nov 2011 at 9:42pm
On this month's show: Chester schools feel the pain of budget cuts Students speak out about the conditions that push them out of school Furness High School stays off the closure list after pressure from students Youth across the country see victory as a new Congressional Youth Caucus is created Plus music & other news! This show features Pushed Out, a track produced by PSU's Movement Music, and segue music by Koby Murphy, a PSU alum.
Students Organize Around the Root Causes of School Pushout
by Philadelphia Student Union
13 Nov 2011 at 3:27pm
Students all over Philadelphia are being pushed out of schools and right into the school to prison pipeline. This is happening because of the lack of resources inside schools and the use of harsh discipline practices that force students into the criminal justice system. But students from several organizations are fighting to end the school to prison pipeline, as members of the Campaign for Nonviolent Schools. Many of these students shared their experiences at an event called Youth Speak-Out Against Push Out. It was a part of the Dignity in Schools National Week of Action on School Pushout. This radio piece features students' voices from ...
Aesthetic Deprivation: The Effects of Cutting Art from Schools
by Philadelphia Student Union
22 Dec 2011 at 11:05pm
Self-discovery and self-expression through art is vital for young people's development. Being exposed to art and music allows individuals to learn about themselves and the world around them. But the arts are being cut from schools across Pennsylvania, as schools struggle to deal with underfunding. In this piece Jionna Rodgers explores the importance of art and music, and what happens when people are deprived of them.
Education Budget Cuts Hit Chester Students Hard
by Philadelphia Student Union
11 Nov 2011 at 2:07pm
State budget cuts have hurt the Chester school district in many ways: Class sizes have grown beyond capacity, two high schools merged into one overcrowded building, some elementary school grades have been combined due to lack of staff. In this report, Chester students, parents and community members speak out about how the massive cuts to state education spending are affecting them. This piece was produced by Keith Lomax.
How Students Fought to Keep Furness High School Open
by Philadelphia Student Union
10 Nov 2011 at 11:03pm
When students at Furness High School found out that their school was on the School District's list of potential school closures, they were shocked. This radio piece, produced by Furness senior Bernard Nesmith, features interviews with students and Principal Tim McKenna to shed light on how Furness High School rose to become one of the best neighborhood high schools in the city. This is also the story of how the Philadelphia Student Union Furness Chapter fought to keep the school open. Photo by Harvey Finkle
"A win for youth." Congress Launches Youth Caucus
by Philadelphia Student Union
19 Oct 2011 at 3:51pm
Kim Reed joined hundreds of youth from across the country in Washington DC, to report on the historic launch of a new Congressional Youth Caucus. For the first time, the U.S. Congress will have a Caucus where legislators will be talking and thinking about youth issues. This victory was won through the work of the Alliance for Educational Justice (AEJ) and the Leaders Investing For Equality (LIFE) Campaign. Kim Reed produced this report for On Blast.
"We need a penny!" Farmworkers Fight For Justice
by Philadelphia Student Union
18 Oct 2011 at 11:34am
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers organized a rally in front of a center city Trader Joes and the Philly Student Union was there to help support. Immigrant farmworkers across southwest Florida have been working under low wages and have been treated unfairly for many years. Back in 1993 they began organizing and between there hunger strike and their historic 230-mile march in 2000, their organizing ended over declining wages in the tomato industry. By 1998 they won industry-wide raises but wages still remained below poverty level. Today they are called the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and they are currently fighting for big chain c...