Youth Radio - Topic: Along the Campaign Trail

Super Obama World

nate — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:46:50 -0600

"Super Obama World" is a game on the internet which you play as President Barack Obama in a "Super Mario" styled game. Fight your way through the cold icy Alaska as you're pinned against "Pigs With Lipstick", "Republicans", and the final showdown with Sara Palin. It's funny to me that someone actually took the time to make this game, and also introduced situations that actually happened on the campaign trail in the game like the "Spending Habits at Neimen Marcus" and the "Bridge to Nowhere". Check it out for yourself at www.superobamaworld.com.

"Hope" Out of the Box

brett — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:29:53 -0600

(aired on NPR's Morning Edition November 10, 2008)

Ancient Greece gave us the myth of Pandora’s Box. Forbidden to be opened, but opened anyway, the box spewed out a torrent of plagues to torture people forever. Pandora slammed the lid back down trying to trap the worst of it, but only one thing remained there at the bottom - hope.

Montage: I think it’s hope just to live because I mean it’s hope just to think that the next second is even going to happen… You believe something can happen and you have to have a positive attitude about what you believe… Hope is kind of exactly like faith to me. I think human beings need it to just be able to keep going.

That’s Caitlin Grey, Raven-Simone Atkins, and Quincy Mosby adding their voices to a 1000 year debate about whether hope was the best thing Pandora's box had to offer … or the worst. Now Barack Obama promises hope and we’re wondering the same thing.

It’s young people like me who are promised hope the most. Our teachers, they tell us we can go to the best schools, and our parents tell us that we can be whatever we want. Most of my peers say yeh, it’s their mom’s who fill them with the most hope. For 18 year-old Rynesha Snowden, it was her great-grandmother…

Rynesha Snowden: She was kind-of my hope. She had rules and she was strict and but you know she showed that love and she showed how much she cared about people. and I always was like, ooh I’m going to start crying…(crying)…but she was strong and I want to be like her.

Strong hopeful leaders can be huge inspirations and help us improve our lives. But the hope that adults push onto us isn’t always realistic. Like when people have told me and my friends that getting a job would keep us out of trouble, we believed in the hope that someone somewhere would hire us. When some of us got turned down time after time, application after application, we lost hope in the possibility of getting a legal job and in the people who preached to us it was possible. Quincy Mosby is 22 years-old and his mom used to fill him with hope.

Quincy Mosby: I remember when, when I was very young you know. We just were in a bad spot you know, barely could keep the lights on, my dad wasn’t around anymore, and ahh, I think she gave me hope, but it was strange cause I think she believed in me more in me than she believed in herself. Like she would tell me to go put my hand on the refrigerator and pray for food to come But the older I got, the harder it became to believe in that type of stuff.

Dr. Spiegel: If hope get’s too far off the mark then it becomes fantasy and it’s more likely to hurt you than help you.

That’s Dr. David Spiegel, a Stanford psychiatrist who researches cancer patients and the role of the mind when it comes to healing the body.

Dr. Spiegel: If you have too much concrete believe that your hope is going to change everything, then when things don’t go the way you hope, who do you have to blame, you blame yourself. One of my cancer patients started to cry and her husband said don’t cry you’ll make the cancer spread. It’s not that you have bad cancer, it’s that you didn’t hope enough or you didn’t hope right. I think what makes hope work is when it’s realistic. Or when the person who’s promising you something is genuine about trying to deliver it.

Barack Obama inspired me, and for the first time ever I voted, with a belief that our country and my life could change. His promise sits like a weight on his shoulders, but the most challenging thing for all voters and young people like me to remember, is that it sits just as heavy on our own.

For NPR News, I’m Orlando Campbell

TAPE: (Barack Obama from Iowa Caucus Victory Speech) Hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it and to work for it and to fight for it. (fade out on applause)

Web Extra
Christine Carter Ph.D. is a sociologist and executive director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley which studies happiness, compassion, and altruism.

Dr. Peter Ubel is a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan who lead a research study following permanent and reversible colostomy patients. The study found that the patients with permanent colostomies have significantly higher life satisfaction than those with reversible colostomies, suggesting that hope might be counterproductive in some circumstances.

Sylvia Boorstein Ph.D is a psychologist, author, and an instructor at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County, CA.

Links
Resurgence Of Hope
Obama's election brings new hope

Election Reaction

nishat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:58:42 -0600

Youth Radio's Brandon McFarland and Summer Sewell are still reeling from Obama’s win, and thinking about what it means for their own ambitions as a young African-American man and biracial woman.

The following entry is not a transcript of the audio, but a web extra to the radio story.

By Summer Sewell

One night, my friend Eve and I jumped into a cab for a short ride that would leave a disturbing thought lingering in my head. Our cabby was overly talkative, to the point of annoyance, and I immediately tuned him out and let Eve deal with his mindless rambling. But I was fully alert after he told us a joke that haunts me to this day:

“OK, so what does God ask Obama when he get to the pearly gates?” (“What…?”)
“How was your first 10 minute of being president?”And he laughed, eerily, endlessly, as Eve and I shared a frown and got out of his cab at the next corner.That was months ago. Looking back, it’s bizarre to me that the idea of Obama becoming president, only to get assassinated before officially entering the White House, hadn’t crossed my mind until the night of that cab ride. Since then, I haven’t been able to get an animated image of Obama on January 29th , ending a strong acceptance speech, raising both arms triumphantly, smiling, the crowd rejoicing, then turning dead silent as his body is blown backwards by a sniper’s bullet.

As I sat through Obama’s victory speech, my mind was divided- half jubilant, half overwhelmingly anxious. I was an awkward mix of emotions as happy tears welled up in my eyes, and hostile butterflies made laps in my stomach. I looked around the room at faces expressing pure bliss, uncomplicated by the tinges of fear I was feeling. Why couldn’t I share in this joyful, monumental event without my anxiety eclipsing it? As I watched his older daughter stand tucked beneath his arms, while they both smiled and waved to a sea of supporters, I struggled to pull my mind away from the visual of Obama’s wounded body spread out on the steps of Capitol Hill.Obama’s campaign slogan has been “Change”, and maybe that’s all I’m afraid of.
My fear makes it seem easier to just consent to another four years of disguised tyranny, instead of grasping the positive change I’m sure Obama will bring to the White House with both hands.What would Obama say to me if I was able to tell him how I’m feeling? Probably that I should let him handle not only my anxieties, but the nation’s. That he can take care of himself, and do his best to take care of us. And to rejoice in the fact that his supporters have made history, no matter how long it lasts, from this day forward. Pushing my fear aside, I can say, I hope it lasts for as long as possible.

To vote or not to vote

miguel — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:48:59 -0600

Everyone has been asking about it! Who are you voting for? Obama or McCain? These elections were becoming so overwhelming. I was sick and tired of class discussions, and outside conversations about these two candidates. Propositions didn’t catch my attention, or let’s just say I never bothered to read them. I came to the conclusion that I was not going to vote.
I heard too many promises from both Obama and McCain. I felt like they were just full of talk. After receiving false promises from our current president, George W. Bush, I lost all faith in politics and in the government. This experience made me careless about who would lead our country.
The day of the elections made me feel differently. Everyone was so excited and kept inquiring whether I voted or not. For some strange reason, I felt ashamed of saying that I was not going to vote. At that point I had an epiphany about those who can not vote. I didn’t take advantage of a right that many people don’t have and I didn’t perform my civic duty. I was carried away by my lack of hope and trust in our president.
I’ve learned my lesson, and I plan to vote in the future. I’m not going to lie, I did feel left out, but I do feel relieved that Obama won the election. Albeit I had lost trust in politicians, I feel that he was a better candidate than McCain. He seems extremely optimistic and has a desire for a good change.

Prop 8: The fight goes on

miguel — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:37:09 -0600

A day after Prop 8 passed by a 3% margin, banning marriages between same sex couples, the streets of Hollywood and West Hollywood were occupied by a sea of angry protesters with “No on Proposition 8” signs.

According to the Los Angeles Times there were as many as 5,000 people on the streets of Hollywood. Walking through assured me that a large number of Angelinos were in disagreement with the results of this proposition initiative.

I walked by a group of loud protesters who where chanting:
“WE STAND BY YOUR SIDE—NO ON 8”
“WE STAND BY YOUR SIDE—NO ON 8”
“WE STAND BY YOUR SIDE—NO ON 8”

When I asked them about their chant, the group of eight athletic guys told me that they were not gay, but heterosexual. Some of their girlfriends were there too... in support of equality.

One of them, Greg, age 23, said:

“I’m here with my buddies, because we know that everyone should have the right to marry—this proposition is wrong, and it’s wrong because it shows that we have not evolved. I mean, we have just elected our first black president, we need to change, and I will help to make it happen”

The protest began in the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente Blvd. Within a matter of hours the masses of people began to move northeast on the streets of Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood Blvd, and Sunset Blvd ending on the Hollywood and Highland shopping complex, a very popular tourist attraction with lots of foot and vehicle traffic. The protesters were on the streets for hours.

More protests are scheduled to take place throughout the city of Los Angeles. Today’s protest will take place at 3 pm and is organized by Jackie Goldberg, former member of the California State Assembly from the 45th district, and an openly Gay and Lesbian activist. The plan is to march and dialog with the leaders of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) located at 581 E. Temple Way, Los Angeles.

On Saturday (November 8) an following official gathering will be held in the junction of Sunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd at 6:00 pm.

An Historic Year

wilmer — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:15:35 -0600

By Miriam Archibong

The 2008 presidential election was indeed historic. For our part, the Spelman SGA made sure that students, faculty and administrators had an opportunity to become relevant participants in making history. In the weeks before the national election day, your SSGA sponsored several voter registration efforts: new student orientation session, Market Fridays, canvassing around the community – including Westend Mall, and participating in voter protection training sessions. Preparation for activities on November 4 started with a march from the Manley Student Center, and continued through the main gates of Morehouse College, and through the CAU campus to the CAU polling location. The remainder of the day was spent with student volunteers going to various precincts in the Atlanta metro area talking with voters, encouraging them to exercise their franchise, and assisting elderly and disabled voters gain access to the polls. In addition, we distributed tasty and healthy snacks to voters who were waiting to enter their voting precinct.

Some of the voters were willing to share their unique and personal stories: At the Liberty Baptist Church polling site, we met DeMorrio, a young Black male and first-time voter, who was pacing up and down the parking area outside of the entrance to the polling site. I walked up to him and told him about the Spelman SGA’s interest in supporting and encouraging voters. He then told me about his criminal record, and that he had never voted. He clearly wanted to vote, but he did not want to be embarrassed in front of other voters. Using the information from the Voter Protection training I had received the week before, I assured DeMorrio that if he was no longer on probation, he absolutely had the right to vote. After our brief talk, he walked slowly into the church assembly hall, one hand clutching his falling pants, and the other securely holding his voter identification card. When he exited the building, he had a huge smile on his face.

“I voted,” he yelled. “Good for you,” I yelled back. I wanted to give him a full dissertation on the history of voter disenfranchisement, as a way to encourage him to continue exercising his right to vote. But, for that day, in that moment, his HUGE smile provided enough testimony for the benefits of voting. We later met Derek, a Black 28 year old who said that he had always been too busy to vote on election day, and Tana, a Caucasian women who said that she was spending election day transporting elderly and vulnerable people to the polls. The joy and excitement of this day was tempered by the reality that voter irregularities still happen. Such as when I watched helplessly as a mentally challenged Black man walked angrily out of his polling location. When I learned that he was a diabetic, I offered the man and his brother water and some of our snacks. They accepted and then told me that the poll worker refused to accept their voter identification. The older brother agreed to vote on a provisional ballot, but the younger brother said that he did not understand why his vote had to be different from everyone else’s. Sadly, this young man refused to vote. On some level, he was taking his dignity with him as he walked away from the building. But, his gait and posture let me know that he was sad, disappointed and hurt by the treatment he had just received.

The New Hampshire Victory Dance (North Carolina Style)

kara — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:13:37 -0600

DURHAM, NC - My favorite canvassing story thus far: Two friends were knocking on doors today early this evening in East Durham, North Carolina, going door-to-door in a predominately African-American public housing project. Mostly, the people they met had already voted for Obama.

Eventually, they came to a woman in her thirties watching TV in a small room surrounded by three young kids. They said they were volunteers for the Obama campaign and had she voted? No. Well, was she registered? Yes. Did she want to come to the poles? No, she had the kids to watch and besides, she couldn’t go out looking like this.

Well, did she know anyone else who hasn’t voted who she could call and convince to go vote?

“We could call auntie to take us,” chimed in one of the kids. Aaron saw his opportunity. The New Zealander (he’s a senior attending UNC) turned on the charm, hiding his accent as best he could. He told her that they could drive her. And that she looked absolutely fabulous and could bring the kids with her.

Thus, Aaron ended up outside the polling place holding a one-year-old baby who took quite quickly to him while Ian, my other friend, went inside to help explain the ballot. Apparently, the most complicated part was the proposed Durham food tax. (Now, they’re trying to tax my food!” the woman remarked when they were back at her house).

When they arrived back at their apartment, the woman (and her kids) were ecstatic. They turned on the TV and Ian and Aaron showed her the channels where they could watch the election returns. Everyone did a little dance when the networks showed Obama well ahead in New Hampshire.

Ian and Aaron moved on, but the kids and their mom were still chanting O-Bam-A as they knocked on the next house

Proposition 8: The fight for equality will continue

miguel — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:36:16 -0600

Last night at the “No on Proposition 8” headquarters in Hollywood California, Jackie Goldberg, former member of the California State Assembly from the 45th district, and an openly Gay and Lesbian activist, gave the most inspiring speech.

“The fight for equality will continue, because all of the thousands of Gay and Lesbian couples who deserve to marry will do so, this is not the end but the foundation of a fight we deserve to win”

The sentiment in the room was bittersweet. There was happiness for Obama’s victory, which showed our nation was ready to move forward from our last eight years. On the other hand—How will we, the state of California, learn from the strategies of the Obama campaign, to win the rights for marriage equality for all of the thousands of Gay and Lesbian couples?

Everyone I spoke with agreed that the fight for equality will continue, but this time the strategies should include new ways of empowering the millions of heterosexual allies to fight along side the Gay and Lesbian community.

The streets of Hollywood celebrate

miguel — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:28:22 -0600

The lines run out of the door and around the corner as college age Angelinos lined up for the hottest Presidential party Los Angeles had this night. IM Radio, a LA based community Internet radio station, packed the house of the Echo Plex, a local bar and music venue in Hollywood, California. The energy in the club was loud and hopeful for Obama as the anticipation built for what it seamed the most memorable and historic election we have seen in our lifetime. The most interesting thing was the large number of youth who came out to watch the presidential election results.

Oakland Woots for the New President Obama

kara — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:47:19 -0600

At 11 PM the honking from cars lined up for miles could be heard reverberating through the otherwise empty downtown streets.