Youth Radio - Topic: Post-Election

O Captain! My Captain!

hmoorman — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:55:30 -0600

By Samuel Coronado

I have always believed that politics has the power to impact people in an important way. Although I hold this belief, I have not been moved to tears by many political events in my lifetime. On Nov. 4, 2008 one such event occurred. Along with millions of other Americans I cried, rejoicing at the election of our nation’s first African-American president. My emotions were a mixture of jubilance and teary-eyed sappiness and amid those emotions I knew others were not so pleased.

On my way to school the next day, a friend of mine told me about posts he had seen on an internet forum where Obama supporters were taunting those who had supported McCain. I couldn’t stand hearing about such behavior. On the news, reports were coming in that hate crimes were being committed against African-Americans where the attacker(s) would make it clear they were attacking as a result of president-elect Obama’s victory. Hearing these things, I remembered something I heard from a man our new president-elect reminds me of.

In Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address, he said, “we are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” These words ring just as true now as they did back then. Our political process doesn’t exist to divide the nation and promote hate. This is certainly no time for degrading our democracy into a game where the winners make fun of the losers and the losers punish the winners in any way they can. To all who believe it is, they must learn that politics is more serious than that. To keep this country running requires all of us.

We live in a country that is diverse and full of opinions. Conflicting opinions have always been healthy for keeping our country on a moderate track towards progress. Progress is halted when those with opinions refuse to work with those whom their opinions oppose. Alexander Hamilton believed that “men often oppose a thing, merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because they have been planned by those whom they dislike.” We must prove this belief wrong.

Americans from all over the country must come together and engage in healthy dialogues over the issues that matter to them. Don’t scream at someone who feels differently than you and don’t look down on them because they feel a certain way. Reach out to them and find the middle ground you can agree on. It’s unfortunate to see proud and patriotic Americans tell others they are not patriotic because of how they voted. The Founding Fathers didn’t risk their lives to create a democracy in which petty bickering would substantiate our political dialogue.

Whoever you supported this election, make it a point to keep the person who supported the other candidate in your thoughts and actions. As an Obama supporter, I am more than willing to reach out to those who voted for McCain and to work with them to create a better country. We will never progress if we sit on our hands and refuse to work together.

We only have one America. Whoever is at the wheel still relies on a great number of workers to make the ship sail smoothly.

Lincoln also advised that “with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds.” Let’s heed Lincoln’s advice and keep this ship sailing on.

Obama Finally Picks Hillary

denise — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:50:54 -0600

Finally, Obama elects Hillary Clinton as secretary of State. After weeks of wondering, it is now official that both Obama and Hillary are joining forces to improve the United States. But if you ask me, I saw it coming.

For starters, Hillary supporters were upset with Obama’s victory over Hillary. Secondly, picking Biden over Hillary for vice president made them more upset. Luckily people were so eager to substitute Bush with a Democratic runner which made it easier for Obama to get to the White House. Picking Hillary as secretary of State was simply his way to make it up to Hillary supporters.

Of course my opinion differs from others, but one thing is consistent, both of them are working to re-build America. January is around the corner and I know people are anxiously waiting to see our new government in action.

The Washington Post has more on this story.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton?

kara — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:53:05 -0600

So a couple of Obama aides have told the press that former rival Hillary Clinton is being considered for Secretary of State, which president-elect Barack Obama did not want to be leaked out this early. If you would look back at the primaries, it would be a bit ironic to consider Senator Clinton as Obama's secretary of state, let alone any cabinet post, since he pressed hard on the fact that she was one of the Beltway insiders and that she represents politics as usual.

Obama harps on the idea of himself being the embodiment of change, and representing a new generation of politics, but he is thinking about having a veteran join his administration, a veteran who he called the "same ol', same ol'" while running against her in the 2008 primary process, wouldn't that just contradict his movement of innovation in Washington?

I would at least expect him to select someone who is an unknown but is still able to be a strong asset to his administration.

Obama's Youth Appeal Trumps Political Apathy

ssewell — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:36:43 -0600

By Rynesha Snowden

I’ve never been interested in politics before, but seeing a Black man run for president made me pay attention. This election was the first one I was old enough to vote in, and I’m juiced that the candidate I voted for won. One of the main reasons I voted for Barack Obama was because I wanted to see myself, and my race, represented in the White House for the first time. I saw something special in Obama, especially with him being both black and white. I think his mixed background allowed him to appeal to a wider audience. Another important reason I voted for him is because Obama reached out to young people. He showed us that he cared about us and our vote. And it obviously worked in his favor. According to the New York Times, more young people aged 18-29 years old came out to vote than for any election since 1972. And the overall youth turnout was estimated to be between 21.6 million and 23.9 million, which is up from 19.4 million in 2004. Obama reached the young people by running the most technologically aware campaign ever. He sent MySpace, Facebook and text messages, and there was even “Obama Girl” making videos to support him on YouTube. I think Obama being younger than previous candidates allowed him to be more aware of how young people interact with media, and with one another. He took the time and consideration to show young people that he was trying to identify with us, and that he was a part of us, and that means a lot to me.

Skeptics versus Believers

caitlin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:56:00 -0600

After the hype and excitement of Obama's victory November 4 has died down, people are beginning to look more closely at what Obama will bring to the future. President-elect Obama was voted in on the basis of his groundbreaking campaign. He used the ideals of hope and change to promise Americans of the country that they want to see. But now that he is officially in there, even Obama supporters and fellow Democrats are becoming skeptical that he can deliver on all his promises and the hope he gave to the American people. Meanwhile, the believers are getting hyped up for January 20, and that's when the skeptics will find out if the promises were empty or not as well.

Here's a few links I've been tracking of both the "believers" and the "skeptics":

Believers
Obama brings hope to SF State students
The Oregonian
Obama brings hope to Kenya
Obama brings hope to Global Warming
Obama inspires hope in India and Pakistan

Skeptics
The Newstatesman
Mysinchew.com
Mideast Youth
Instablogs
UK Bishop questions Obama
Obama Skeptics in Asia
Confessions of an Obama Skeptic

The Fallout of Prop 8

kchau — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:57:41 -0600

I was watching the election results on the TV at work. When Obama stepped up to the podium with the American flag behind him. I knew at that exact moment that anything was possible.

But then, not even 12 hours later, my feeling of sheer bliss was snatched away from me with a phone call from my good friend Ray-Ray…She was near tears . She was like, “Anthony, Prop 8 passed. What the hell is wrong with America?”

Yes on Prop 8 used all kinds of underhanded tricks to persuade people to believe in their ignorance. Like running an ad trying to convince me that second graders will decide to be gay after learning about gay marriage in school. As if people decide to be gay on account that we have no problems and it’s way easier to be gay than straight.

I should have known it’d be too good to be true for both civil rights issues I care most about to change in the same election. One out of two is OK, but in school, 50 percent is still an F.

Give Hope a Chance

kara — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:13:01 -0600

By Charlie Garcia

I watched the 30-minute infomercial by Barack Obama, and felt really bad, that with the skills that I have to create a piece myself that would change people's minds and encourage them to vote for Obama, I was too late.

So I hope this email will help amend that, and somehow I can change your views on your candidate, or your decision to vote or not to vote.

I never got to catch the 30 minute long ad by Obama on the T.V. I am so sad I didn't, but of course thanks to the internet, I got to see it online on youtube as well as on different sites.

If you did not see it, you have to put down everything you are doing, and take a look at it.

I was truly thinking about not voting at all because of the thought that votes can easily be changed, especially now that technology takes a bigger part in the process. But as I watched the video, I was deeply moved, and decided that if I do vote, and got everyone else I could to vote, even if our votes got "changed," we'd still make a difference. Because if was true, and many votes got changed, then my vote could be sacrificed, and somebody else vote would have counted, or the other way around.

Because if Obama does win, nothing would change, at least for the good
Because if Mccain wins, and everything stays the way its been, me and every person my age, would have to look forward to a really bad future.
Because if I vote, and get everyone I know who was not thinking about voting to vote, I would be becoming part of the incredibly fast growing group of people who will help change the country for the better.
Because if Obama does not win the election, the world will stand up, and the biggest revolution would take place to change our world.

But, the thing that really struck me is this: The youtube video, which received 1 million 300 thousand views on the first DAY of being uploaded, recieved 630 comments, and unlike most videos of the election, which are full of arguments and online fights and very insulting remarks, did not recieve a single bad comment, from anyone.

I have never seen this before ever. There are always people coming online to leave nasty comments about Obama or McCain in their videos, but not this one. This one felt so pure.

But on top of that, it was the comments that struck me the most was people from other continents, leaving comments like these

"zanderzander05 (21 hours ago)
+589 <image.tiff> <image.tiff>

Britain for Obama :)"

The +589 represents 600 people who gave this person a thumbs up, something I never see on youtube.

Here are more:

JoBossFpr (21 hours ago)
+626 <image.tiff> <image.tiff>
I'm not allowed to vote for Barack Obama - but I want to tell how moving this is for me. I'm from Berlin, Germany. I heard his speech here. For the first time, my view on the US is changing dramatically. Now I'm reading 3 books about american history, I begin to understand you and your beautiful country. I wish you the best. God bless America!

glenakin (22 hours ago)
+24 <image.tiff> <image.tiff>
Damn. I'm not American but for the first time in a long time I envy you guys. If you have this man as president, I think things will be better for you.
This is your chance to get back what you've lost, Americans. The answer is in your hands. Vote now. Vote for Obama. God speed.

outofpaper32 (1 day ago)
+13 <image.tiff> <image.tiff>
Beautiful, just beautiful !!!

Republicans for OBAMA !

bwanakeino (1 day ago)
+1515 <image.tiff> <image.tiff>
We love you Obama. Kenyans for Obama'08.

Alongside comments like these are hundreds of comments from Americans, cheering him on. Times have changed. Our media doesn't come from the T.V. and newspapers anymore. The internet has connected us, let's create change.

Charlie Garcia is a student of the School Of the Art Institute of Chicago who at the early age of 15 decided what he wanted to do with his life, become a director of photography for film. At age 19, he achieves his goal, and gets his first role as director of photography for the independent film "The Appointment". At the same time he works as a cameraman for a Television show that airs on WJYS Chicago.

The Prop 8 Protests for Equality Continue in Los Angeles

miguel — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:21:50 -0600

Around 6 pm on Saturday, November 8, angry protestors in Los Angeles shouted the words written on their posters : "What do we want?" "Equal rights!; "When do we want them?"; "Now!"

By 6:25 pm the streets where filled with protesters and a sea of signs that read everything from “My god loves me unconditionally” and “I’m a straight and I support equal rights”. My favorite sign was “We want what the chickens got. Set us free!” and the girl who was holding it had a fake beak and feathers. As humorous as many of the signs were, they didn’t compensate the feeling of disappointment and anger that most protesters had. According to the Los Angeles Times, more than 10,000 people gather at the Sunset Junction. They moved west on Santa Monica, north on Vermont, and then east on to Sunset, returning back to the starting point of the protest. It was around midnight when the crowds began to disperse and we saw the streets of Sunset return back to normal.
It is hard to say when life will go back to normal for these protesters, since so many of us will continue to protest until something is done, and this proposition is re-opened.

There’s currently a petition in place that individuals can sign to re-open proposition 8, you can do this by clicking here.
To find a listing of other rallies in the state of California go to this link.
Here is a video shot by my friend Richard Garcia at the protest on saturday.

Prop 8: Second Night of Protests on the Streets of Hollywood

miguel — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:56:30 -0600

Last night the traffic on the streets of Westwood was stopped by a group of angry protesters who are seeking to reopen the Proposition 8 battle. The protest began in Westwood Blvd and moved west towards the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church). There, protesters were welcomed by a group of Proposition 8 supporters. A small confrontation erupted between the two sides. The West Hollywood police department had to intervene to defuse the tension. No arrests where made and the “No on Proposition 8” protesters moved towards Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente Blvd, and continued to hold a peaceful rally. The mayor of West Hollywood, Jeffrey Prang, welcomed the protesters with a speech of hope and support for the Prop 8 opponents.

As I walked alongside the protesters, I observed an interesting contrast between the gay and lesbian protesters, and those members of the gay and lesbian community who were sitting in the bars of West Hollywood. Over all, everyone supported the cause, but those who kept to their gay lifestyle of bar hoping and glamour were criticized by the protesters.

Looking at the fight ahead for the gay and lesbian community for the right to get married, I could not help but wonder why the cause seemed less important to those who were drinking as usual that night. I don't know what was going through there minds, but one thing is true, if we as gay and lesbian individuals want to gain those rights that are denied to us, should it be our responsibility to fight for them? I was bothered that there weren’t more protesters on the streets of West Hollywood. When it comes to celebrating the freedom of our sexuality, you see thousands of gay and lesbian people outside on the streets for the pride parades. I only wish the same level passion could be seen now that we have seen a real state wide form of discrimination.

In my opinion, Proposition 8, is a true form of discrimination by the majority of voters in California. It simply says that in the eyes of the state of California “We” are not equal. So, during our next pride parades, will we be as proud knowing we are second-class citizens?

All is not lost yet. A petition is currently active and individuals can sign it electronically to try to reopen this proposition. I would urge you to support this very important issue as the California Supreme Court attempted to do with their decision to recognize same-sex marriages as our fundamental right. We should also remember that all Americans are harmed when any of us are discriminated against or have our fundamental rights taken away.

There will also be another rally in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 8th at the junction of Sunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd in Silver Lake at 6:00pm.

And to find a listing of other rallies in the state of California click here.

Helping Obama Find a Hypo-allergenic Dog

kara — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:14:04 -0600

My general reaction to what Senator Barack Obama said during his first press conference today since the election results was not about his addressing the topic of unemployment, the differences between parties, the economy or our dependence on oil, but about the White House dog. While muts and shelter dogs (Obama's preferred stock) are lovable in all their hybridity, what are the chances of them being hypo-allergenic muts? Besides ignoring the obvious metaphor of Obama himself often being called a "mut" that represents the tide towards the "browning" of America, I always wonder what people actully do when they're allergic to dog fur,critters and general doggy dandruff? Apparently, fifteen percent of people have pet allergies according to Associated Content and there's plenty of Web sites to address the options for these challenged dog lovers.

But my question is: Poodle, schnauzer or Portuguese Water Dog? I can see a poodle in the White House, but can you really take a Poodle as the top dog in the White House to represent the nation? A Lab or Shephard maybe, but a Maltese?

I don't think it's going to be painless decision, it's not going to be fast, either.

What dog should Obama get to be the White House dog? ( surveys)