Soul Food

Movin' On

2010-10-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

a new chapter, a new blog. Click here:

Falling in Place

No Post '09

2010-01-30T16:46:00.000-08:00

We really need to get back in the swing of things. I'll keep you posted.

- Caitlin

Bill Blue and his Crew: The Crab Fishermen

2008-12-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

On one of the only sunny days in December, I met Captain Bill Blue.
I was walking past the line of crab vendors at The Wharf on one of the only shaded street corners. Live crab were piled into thick buckets and eventually shoveled into steaming boilers or tossed on top of ice for chopping. Bread bowls overflowed with hot chowder, while crab sandwiches and shrimp cocktails were chilled in cool cases below the registers. The smell of raw fish clung to that corner, but tourists and seagulls never seemed to mind as they weaved in and out, almost together, around the vendors.
"Fresh local crab!" yelled a worker. "Buy a crab and set it free!"
Curious, I asked the guy where the crab came from. Like a smartass, he pointed to the ocean.
Every morning, rain or shine, Dungeness Crab are caught at sea and brought to The Wharf to sell. A true, rugged fishermen's market. Looking for a story, I decided to walk past the street vendors to the pier to see where it all began.
I made my way up to the boats. The closer I got to the back end of the pier, the less people seemed to be around, which I liked. It was quiet, except for a small run-down boat pulling in to dock. There, on that old and worn-out crab catcher was my story.
I caught Blue and two other men on board working on the boat's broken radar. One of the men was Bobby Maharry, who looked like Blue; gray hair, dirty hands and rubber boots. The other, whose name I didn't catch, looked like he was only 12 years old; short and smiley, with an accent too thick to understand. Apparently, he was a full grown man from out of the country looking for work, Blue said. Crab fishing is a three man job, so they needed an extra set of hands.
Blue, 52, has been fishing since his high school days and purchased his boat soon after. His right hand man Maharry claims he's 30, but he and ol' Blue are close childhood friends who grew up together in Morro Bay.
"We've got a lifetime of stories," Blue tells me.
There's no typical day in the competitive fishing business, but during a good season, Blue and his crew set out 11 miles to sea every morning, seven days a week, from 3am until midnight. This year, however, business isn't doing so well.
"Sometimes it's diamonds, sometimes it's rocks," he says.
Usually Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are big marketing days, but fish prices have dropped to only $3.25/lb a day from $10/lb a day, plus the cost of insurance, taxes, and wages Blue pays for out of his own pocket, along with the additional $750 a month to upkeep the boat.
"Bank of America don't care if the wind is blowing," Blue says. "This is it. No fish, no money."
Out at sea, the guys set out for the Dungeness, salmon, black cod, and albacore. They prepare about 50 traps altogether, 10 traps per mile, then they add some squid bait and leave the traps there until the following day.
"You always hope one more [fish] might walk in," says Maharry, who's now carrying the majority of the workload since Blue dislocated his shoulder after slipping and falling backwards on deck.
"It's real nice to have two hands, let me tell you," laughs Blue.
But he's no rookie; he's a survivor. Blue tells me about the time he and his friends were on a fishing boat when it sank from the weight of the crab. All six men on board made it alive, but they had to wait over an hour in the water at night to be rescued.
With a disheartening lifestyle like this, it's hard to imagine this man in love. Blue married his high school sweetheart, but after 20 years, she couldn't handle his job anymore.
"She didn't fish," says Blue. "I did."
Blue's away from his home and family eight months out of the year. He spends more time with his boat.
"You'd think I'm a 'lucky guy' with two homes," he jokes. "One floats, one doesn't."
His second wife and kids are better about him being away, he says. His children were born into it.
"Let's just say fishing puts a mild strain on relationships," adds Maharry, who's married to a fisherman's daughter. "Most marriages don't survive in this biz."
But Blue knows how to love. I watch him pause in between his short discourse to stare out at the water. Incredibly raw, incredibly real, incredibly honest. His heart belongs to his boat, with his crew, out at sea.

The Queen of Harney 240: Marvella Luey

2008-12-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

She wears a simple black collared shirt and beige pants, barely any makeup, and she tweezes her eyebrows. Her hair, cut in a neat bob, bounces as she props herself back up behind her desk. Assistant to the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, "Queen of Harney 240," and "point person" Marvella Luey has sat at that desk for 18 years. Who is this woman so many students go to for all the answers?
An unmarried Libra, house sitter, and avid Ebay shopper with a remarkable love for cats.
"I realized its maybe in my genes," Luey says. "In high school, I worked at both the counseling office and principal's office. I like to help people. I'm not good at other things."
Luey, 38, began working at the Dean's Office as a sophomore in 1990 and graduated from USF three years later with a B.A. in Chemistry, but says being cooped up in a lab all by herself just wasn't her niche. She's more of a people person, she says. And so, she's been working in Harney full-time ever since.
"When you work more than 40 hours a week, you have to love what you're doing," she says.
Luey is responsible for student registration, managing grades, graduate center files, as well as the Arts and Sciences curriculum. But more than anything else, it's the strong sense of community with her co-workers and students, she says, that makes her job so worth while.
"When I see a student I watched from freshman to senior year graduate and walk up on that stage, I feel most accomplished knowing that I helped in that process," she says.
Like a proud mother, she gloats. She reassures us, however, that she is no parental figure.
"I don't know if I can do the whole child birth thing," she admits. "Maybe I'll adopt someday. It's a lifetime commitment. Pets are the closest I can do to responsibility."
There seems to be enough responsibility and stress to go around in the office, especially during registration in the beginning of each semester. In many cases, Luey has even had to serve as mediator between students and professors, and sometimes dealt with serious cases like suicide, depression, and violence.
"I guess because I'm a Libra in nature, I have to be fair and just," she says. "I'm a big supporter of fairness. Being a Libra, I like to keep the peace, explore the options."
The Majesty of Arts and Sciences in touch with her astrological forecasts still never seems to crack under pressure.
"I'm a pretty tough shell. I don't really cry, I try not to, except when my cat died," she says.
Luey currently has a cat named Halley who replaced Charlotte after her death in June. Not to mention "The Campus Cat" Oscar Luey would regularly feed in her office. These are her children, for now.
She and her cat Halley currently reside in the city close to her immediate family. In the future, she hopes to go back to school to get her Master's Degree at USF and she's considering the School of Education.
Seemingly simple and ordinary, Luey says she tries to remain low key, but mysterious. A face so many recognize, a signature drawn on so many papers; no celebrity, but to students and faculty alike, a friend, a colleague, and all-knowing at the Dean's Office's door.

The View From Room 20: My Second Documentary

2008-12-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

Here it is! Still in the works and some little things to change, but let me know what you think so far. Thank you!

The View From Room 20 profiles four third graders and their perspectives on violence, politics, war, and death.

Stay Tuned: Documentary on Third Graders Coming Soon

2008-12-02T23:21:00.001-08:00

My second documentary will be posted by next week, but I was wondering if anyone had some creative title suggestions? The close to-7-minute-piece is about four third graders, two boys and two girls, and their perspectives on violence in their community, politics, war, and death. It may sound a little depressing, haha, but their responses are actually extremely insightful and undeniably honest.

I was thinking of calling it something like, "The View From Room 20" (they're all in the same class), or "Through Their Eyes," "Four Eyes on the World," "The World As They See It," "Third Graders Know" -- if you get where I'm going. I'm definitely open to suggestions, so feel free. Thanks! I'm excited to finish up and get it posted.

- Caitlin

Almost Famous: My Name's in the Credits!

2008-11-22T01:49:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much, Tracey and Sean, for sticking my name in the credits! Everyone, make sure to check out "Maxed Out" on Current TV:

Type One Diabetes Cure

2008-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

There's a new hope for Type 1 diabetics: a potential medical cure that may go into effect as soon as next year. Check it out on NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/27774926#27774926

San Francisco Third Graders Talk Politics

2008-11-16T18:04:00.001-08:00

On November 4, Sen. Barack Obama stood amongst the nation to accept his role as the next President of the United States. The race is over, but for many Americans-- skin color, gender, and age alike-- a newfound patriotism has begun to emerge. Just ask Miss Rebecca's third grade class in the Mission District. At Marshall Elementary, nine-year-olds are talking politics, too. One word, they tell me: "change."
"'C' is for change!" exclaimed third-grader Angela, forming half a circle with her small hand. Like the majority of the students in Room 48, Angela was born in the city and has lived in The Mission her whole life. She and her classmates are members of "Mission Graduates," a non-profit after-school program designed to prepare its K-5 students for college, according to their website.
Angela and her friends may only be under a decade old and too young to vote in the recent 2008 Election, but when it comes to politics, all six students interviewed were clearly Obama fans.
"I love Obama, I'm so happy he's our president!" shouted 10-year-old Mariana. "His speech was wonderful... I cried."
"I knew he was going to win," reassured Angela. "A lot of people voted for him-- I voted for him-- and he gives money to the homeless."
This appeared to be one of their main concerns for their country and their community. They said they'd like to see the next president fix poverty, clean their streets, and stop the war.
It's hard to say whether or not these kids picked up their political knowledge from their parents, the television, or advertisement and protest in such a liberal city as SF. Regardless, there seemed to be a strong sense of honesty in their responses, and their outlook on global and local issues may go a little undermined.
"I like Obama, but I think he's going to be assassinated," said Holden, the only Caucasian student in the class. "Our country isn't ready for a black president."
If Obama is able to follow through with his educational pursuits, however, the students at Marshall Elementary may have a promising future.
While in office, Obama says he wants to increase the number of Charter Schools, schools a part of the public education system that are not allowed to charge tuition to their students. Admissions are usually done on a lottery type basis, so space is limited, but necessary in certain cities. He also plans on creating what he refers to as the "American Opportunity Tax Credit" which is worth $4,000 a year for college students in exchange for 100 community service hours a year, according to OntheIssues.com.
"What you see consistently are children at a very early age are starting school already behind," said Obama to OntheIssues.com. "That's why I've said that I'm going to put billions of dollars into early childhood education that makes sure that our African-American youth, Latino youth, poor youth of every race, are getting the kind of help that they need so that they know their numbers, their colors, their letters."

Pictured above: Angela and Estrella
Photo Courtesy of: www.missiongraduate.com

MSNBC's Keith Olbermann Reacts to Prop 8

2008-11-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

Here's what Olbermann had to say in a Special Comment report about the prop's recent outcome:

Smile

2008-11-10T19:37:00.001-08:00

Just watched this Washington Lottery commercial and it made me smile, so I thought I'd share it with all of you:

The Bike Kitchen: My First Documentary!

2008-11-05T20:49:00.000-08:00

Check it out and please let me know what you think. Thank you! :)

So, Get This: Japanese Woman in Jail After Virtually Killing Her Online Husband

2008-10-24T22:12:00.000-07:00

A 43-year old woman from Tokyo, Japan was arrested this week when she "killed" her online fantasy husband's persona in the Maple Story video game. Apparently, the woman used the man's username and password to delete his character because she was angered over their online divorce. The woman was arrested on suspicion of hacking, according to police. As of right now, the woman is not officially charged, but if she's convicted she faces up to five years in prison or a bail of about $5,000.
"Players in "Maple Story" raise and manipulate digital images called "avatars" that represent themselves, while engaging in relationships, social activities and fighting against monsters and other obstacles" (Yahoo.com).
Who else finds this completely ridiculous?!

Information courtesy of Yahoo.com and picture: http://www.alltollz.org/images/stories/Graphics/maple_story_png_icons.jpg

Old Men from CBS 5 News Sue

2008-10-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

Two former TV reporters for KPIX in San Francisco sued the news station for "age and sex discrimination" (SFGate) on Thursday. Bill Schechner, 66, and John Lobertini, 48, along with 14 other CBS 5 workers were fired in March for what the station considered to be a "cost-cutting move." Schechner and Lobertini, however, claim it was a calculated decision to lay off older employees and male on-air talent. No female anchors were cut, said their attorney.
Both men are currently out of their jobs.
For all of you pursuing a career in television broadcasting, this seems pretty unsettling, don't you think? Let's hope we don't age too quickly...

Info from SFGate and picture courtesy of http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban758l.jpg

Immigration Rally on Mission and 24th

2008-10-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

Angel Island Fire

2008-10-13T21:03:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Bay's Angel Island caught fire last night. 400 of it's 740 acres were destroyed, but firefighters were able to preserve the 120 historical sites on the island. It'll be months, however, before it's completely restored, they said.

Angel Island is most recognized for its immigration camps of the early 1900's, where Chinese immigrants were imprisoned.

Oakland Cab Drivers Beg Council for Reforms

2008-10-10T01:04:00.000-07:00

Oakland taxi cab drivers opposed City Council's motion to require cab add-ons and 10-day permit revocations on Tuesday. The drivers said these regulations will burden them with unnecessary expenses.
"Please, just admit it, it's shit," claimed cab driver Fran Arwuah.
Council members suggested cab companies provide supplementary items such as cameras, GPS navigation, and safety shields to make taxi cars more accountable to the public. The Council would require that the add-ons be paid by the companies themselves which, according to the drivers, would decrease their typical 16-hour day salaries.
"The economy is so bad, business has dropped 60 percent," said driver Anwar East.
Veteran's Cabs owner Mark Broad said his drivers currently have to pay around $775 a month to lease their vehicles, which they don't have as is.
"It's embarassing," said driver Alli.
Broad said Oakland is a different market compared to more metropolitan areas like San Francisco, and their business is suffering.
"How can we survive and how can we be living?" asked East. "We cannot afford it. I have five kids at home. Please!"
If cabs are not used for 10 nonconsecutive days, the city will revoke drivers' permits. The drivers suggested this be modified to 10 consecutive days.
Once the ordinances were addressed, Oakland City Council Representative Pat Kernighan said the majority of the cab regulations were passed.
The Council decided to put off GPS, go ahead with the cameras, and increased the number of days before license revocation to 15.

Photo courtesy of: <activerain.com/blogs/undergroundcoachingclub>

Father Privett on Abortion and Politics

2008-10-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

J2Q: Tech Saavy?

2008-10-03T18:28:00.001-07:00

This weekend I came across this chart from the Pew Research Center on "Key New Audiences." I'll admit, I'm victim of rarely picking up a newspaper, but I promise I keep up to date with my news!

Q: So where do you get it? TV, the paper, online, by phone? And why do you choose one medium over the other? Is it more convenient? Less expensive? More visual?

Study Abroad at USF Guarantees a "Good Time": Male International Students on Girls and Relationships

2008-09-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

The male exchange students in Pedro Arrupe Hall love to talk about alcohol, sex, and American girls; three subjects that do not appear under USF's course index.
"Taste the world, you know?" laughs 23-year old Ricardo Limes from Puerto Rico.
Apparently, going abroad isn't just for studying anymore.
Bruno Maia, an exchange student from Brazil, sits down dressed in a custom-torn muscle shirt exposing his large back tattoo of a winged warrior.
"American girls are hot!" he exclaims.
Maia, 21, is currently dating the first girl he met at USF and conveniently, they live in the same building.
"Yeah, sure I'll dirty dance with other girls," he says, smirking to three other men in the room.
Will you kiss other girls?
"No!" he says, suddenly dead serious. "I'm loyal."
For about one month, Maia says he and his USF lady friend have been in a "serious relationship," already ignoring the overnight guest policy and exchanging "I love you's." She said it first, he says.
But Maia believes that after the semester is over, he plans on returning back to Brazil without any relationship commitment.
This seems to be the case for other single, international male students in Pedro. They said a semester abroad means nothing serious.
"I'm going to sound like a bastard," Lime says. "But, it's not like we're going to get married."
Afterward, Limes confessed that in Puerto Rico, the stereotype for American girls is that they're "easy." Still, all of them say that girls from the states are always the topic of conversation during their hangouts.
"We like to talk about them," says Fernando Mendoza, a 23-year old exchange student from Mexico. "Who's hot, who's not. They're white, which is more attractive, and here they're not as conservative."
Unlike Limes, Mendoza says he is open to a serious relationship abroad because despite the distance, he could brag to his friends back home that he's dating an American girl.
Limes, who's been rumored to "hook up" with girls in the dorms, sometimes a couple of them in one night-- disagrees. He also neither confirmed nor denied these alligations.
"I don't believe in long distance relationships," he says. That's for movies."
30-year old grad exchange student Tony Tolpo, however, knows long distance first hand; a whole 5,660 miles to be exact. Tolpo's girlfriend of two years is studying abroad in Lithuania, and he says this is the longest they've gone without seeing each other.
"When you know you'll be gone for so long, it hits you," says Tolpo.
To keep the relationship going strong, Tolpo says he and his girlfriend talk on the phone, but the 10-hour time difference and expensive phone bills make it difficult. No emails, letters, or webcams, he says. She doesn't have a computer.
Come December, Tolpo and his long-distance lover will be reunited again back home in Finland, but for the others, they say four months in the city only means more parties, drunken nights, and "dirty dancing."
"It's a good way to perfect a language, though," says Mendoza.
Granted, they don't seem to be interested in doing much talking.

Photo courtesy of: <www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/windingwillow/>

J2Q: Is Your Journalism Relationship on the Rocks?

2008-09-23T00:13:00.000-07:00

Earlier this evening, I attended the screening of "Meeting Resistance," a documentary about a handful of Iraqis, each from different backgrounds, and their perspectives on The War, Iraqi insurgency, and modern day resistance groups.

Afterwards, there was Q and A with the filmmakers Steve Connors and Molly Bingham. They mentioned how they were able to gain the trust (to an certain extent, I suppose) of their contacts there, as well as their persistent methods of addressing their interviewees. Both Connors and Bingham said they had to be extremely stubborn and sometimes even "pains in the ass" to get to the people and places they wanted.

There's no way for me to completely summarize the footage I saw, but I wanted to jot my feelings down regardless because the film was really beautifully done. I was really inspired afterwards-- maybe because that's exactly what I want to do with my life (don't know if I have the guts to go to Iraq in the state it's currently in, though)-- but, it just goes to show how good journalism skills can produce something completely worth while. And what a rewarding feeling! So, my question this week is:

Q: For all of you journalists out there, how passionate are you about the stories you choose to cover? Do you tend to do it for a grade or from the heart? Does it ever become a chore for you?

Sort of a personal question, I know, but I'm just curious because sometimes I get burnt out, which makes me worry that I'm not cut out to be a journalist all the time. Is this normal? haha

Atomic Bomb Survivors Part I

2008-09-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

Atomic Bomb Survivors Part II: Nuclear Weapon Abolition

2008-09-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

J2Q: Why is the Media Broken?

2008-09-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm going to go ahead and put the question out there for others to respond to:

Q: Why isn't hard news more entertaining for the general public nowadays?

It seems like the majority of students I know solely rely on entertainment news. A good, hard news story should still provoke interest, especially since it deals with global issues that actually matter, but too many mainstream media outlets are dry and boring. So, why is our media broken and how can we fix it?

My Beat for J2

2008-09-15T11:09:00.001-07:00

In my Advanced Journalism Reporting class, each student was assigned a specific "beat" or story topic that we're responsible for reporting on for the remainder of the Fall semester. Our professor asked us to explain why our beat was worthy enough for a story.

I believe "Sexualities and More" is a universal topic that makes a great beat because it pertains to every individual. It's an intriguing topic that, despite some stigmatism that may be attached, is extremely heated and provocative: two characteristics, I believe, that make up a great news story. Nowadays, sex can be associated with anything from politics to religious values, technology, desires, or education. For me, this topic is absolutely necessary to discuss because it's not always a comfortable one. Many people often choose to repress their thoughts on sexuality, especially when it comes to their own sexuality, and this in itself makes sex a controversial subject. Because USF is a traditional Jesuit university, we already know that sex and the like are matters that the church looks down upon. Still, it's a college campus, and students are engaging in sexual intercourse.

For me, personally, this is a topic I'm very passionate about. The beat ultimately deals with human rights issues, specifically gender and sexuality equality, which I've covered in the past. Last year, I did two pieces that fit this criteria; one, on USF's birth control policy, and another on The Walk Against Rape in the city. In this way, I've already established contacts I can go to as sources for my upcoming stories. Some of these contacts include: Father Stephen Privett, organizers of the Walk Against Rape, the clinic, women rights and gender sexualities professors, students on campus, Planned Parenthood employees, etc.

I've already compiled a list of potential story ideas for the upcoming semester. Some examples of these include:
- Student mothers on campus
- Prop 8: ban on gay marriage
- Howard Stern's recent promotion of a girl auctioning off her virginity to pay off her college tuition
- USF's over-night guest policy
- Male students' points of view on dating and relationships
- Long distance relationships
- Relationships between USF employees and students
- Update on virginity pledges
- A sex "workshop" or club in the city

I'm really looking forward to uncovering each of these potential story ideas and digging deep to get the goods on sex in this city. I have this feeling there will be a lot to talk about and hopefully without any reservations.

Prop 8 Part I: Students' Perspectives

2008-09-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

Prop 8 Part II: The Rally

2008-09-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

The Beauty of Stow Lake

2008-09-13T15:44:00.000-07:00

Recent Crime Worries Lady Dons

2008-09-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

USF's Birth Control Policy

2008-09-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

Get Your Jig On

2008-09-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

ROTC Ladies Revisited

2008-09-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

San Fancisco's Walk Against Rape

2008-09-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

An Intern Experience: My Self Assessment for my Summer Internship Class

2008-08-05T16:15:00.001-07:00

This summer, I had the privilege of interning with two exceptional media outlets in the Los Angeles area: Discovery Channel’s Production Studios and Current TV’s Vanguard Journalism Department. I can honestly say that through these internship experiences, I found myself in the making. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be involved in the industry. It’s something I’ve always taken pride in, but up until now, knew so little about. When asked what I wanted to do with my life, it was so clear to me; the title “Broadcast Journalist” easily rolled off my tongue as if I already knew exactly what the job entailed. It wasn’t until last semester’s Digital Video Reporting class that the reality of it all clashed with my seemingly sugarcoated perception of the business. Now, as an intern, I’ve been able to use that hands-on experience as a foundation for entering the vast world of mainstream media. Generally speaking, I think interning is something too many people take for granted, so I wanted to make my two experiences count. Discovery and Current—two completely different mediums—have both allowed me to define myself as an upcoming journalist, and I’ve truly become inspired. For my assessment, I chose to focus solely on Current because it pertains more to Documentary Journalism, which I am currently pursuing, and it was the network, I felt, that impressed me the most. This is not to say that Discovery was anything less, but I’ve found that the area of interest, specifically television production, isn’t something that I connected to as much.
I first heard about Current TV through a few friends in the good ‘ol media lab. They created a short documentary on Anime culture and Current’s Viewer Created Content picked it up. I was instantly intrigued with Current’s way of making their audience a part of their distribution process, and when I stumbled upon Vanguard, I fell in love. The Vanguard Journalism Department is made up of a handful of news correspondents who travel the world creating hard news documentaries that are, in turn, broadcasted online and onto their cable television station. The VJ team typically covers stories that deal with issues such as globalization, the environment, religious conflict, politics, or gender/race equality, and they try to find stories that are either underreported or overlooked.
It’s a very organic process; they have crews out in the field that consist of only two to three people at a time, they shoot, interview, write, and edit all of their material, and the final package is put together very similar to a college student project. Equipment is checked out, contacts are established abroad, and plane tickets are bought. Out in the field, Vanguard uses more of a conversational approach to their podcasts, relying more on the unexpected moments in between, and worrying less about a script. They rarely use tripods, they’re not afraid to take risks, and they always get into the heart of the story and the characters they meet. It’s raw and it’s real and it is such a beautiful process to be a part of. I remember noting in one of my journal entries that it’s almost poetic to watch them piece together stories because it’s practically an art form.
As an intern for Current, I’ve learned how documentaries are put together: from brainstorming meetings, story pitches, to the relationships co-workers share in that type of environment. I attended many Vanguard meetings and listened as the correspondents gave each other feedback on their pieces, listed ways to improve their department, and I even had the opportunity to meet with the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Current TV, Joel Hyatt, during a Current conference. When I sat down and interviewed Laura Ling, Vanguard’s President, she told me that she always carries a small notebook with her where she organizes her story ideas. Out in the field, she writes down everything that comes to mind and will mix different ways to approach each story she covers. I could’ve easily guessed this was their way of doing things, but for some reason I anticipated it would be some sort of grand scheme of things and really formal (people sitting around a long table in suits, water glass in hand, arguing about deep issues). Their way of going about business is extremely professional, but there’s a strong sense of familiarity with the people I work with that makes it that much more comfortable. Current TV, itself, is also a “weaker,” smaller outlet that has a low budget, which definitely affects the working environment there. It’s laid back and the Current staff is really close. They’re a family and they’ve worked together to boost the Current empire. The network was founded only about four years ago by Al Gore and it generally relies on its ad sales for profit.
During the course of my internship, I also gained tons of research tools looking up random facts about the correspondents’ story topics online, and I learned about the legal side of things through “baffing”—checking off release forms and money orders. When it comes to writing, Vanguard convinced me that conversational is sometimes better than traditional script writing because it’s more relatable to their audience. As far as interviewing, I learned ways to get around questions and form the questions that are most suitable for each interviewee. A good journalist, I’ve learned, needs to be persistent but patient, have great people skills for that approachability, a good sense of humor, and an unabated passion for sharing news.
As far as journalism ethics go, it’s important that any correspondent listens and respects their interviewees, as well as their circumstances. It’s difficult because as a journalist, you’re expected to go in-depth, but you can’t get too involved. Sometimes, you can become so attached to a character or location in your piece, and it can be emotionally draining to walk away after you’ve wrapped up. Like any writer knows, it’s also important to remain unbiased and fair to both sides of the argument you’re portraying. Simply put, you just need to be a good person; it’s such an interactive job, people skills are extremely important. The only problem I encountered at Current was a mistake on my part. A co-worker called me while I was at home to forward her an email I wrote—I agreed while running errands and told her I would get to it as soon as possible, however, I forgot and didn’t get it to her until the next morning. I apologized, but she did sit me down to explain that in this business, people aren’t going to wait for you to do your job—there’s a long line of people that are connected in this process, so if I forget to do something, it affects all of them. This was a valuable lesson for me, and it definitely addresses an example of a mess up that may easily evolve into an ethical predicament.
Working with Vanguard has motivated me to choose this type of content to cover in my career because I believe that the media has the power to open minds. Laura Ling told me that nowadays, she feels like the media is almost broken because it’s so boring. So much of the coverage is dry and revolves too much around entertainment news. Our generation needs to be excited about news. A news story can still be entertaining, and that’s one of Vanguard’s missions. Every angle they shoot, every question they ask, and every story they cover appeals so much to me. When you find that career that you absolutely idolize—that you thoroughly enjoy—it’s one of the most rewarding parts to life. To take a look at what it is you want to be—what you aspire to accomplish in that process—and know that everything it stands for is a part of you and what you want to contribute to the world—that’s pretty spectacular.

I'm a Religious Mutt: A Short Essay on My Views of Religion for Philosophy Class

2008-01-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

Whenever someone asks me what religion I practice, I always find myself saying the following: I'm a religious mutt. I was born Lutheran, converted to Catholicism, and I wouldn't mind being a Jew. I was baptized Lutheran because my grandparents are extremely religious individuals and believed that as a child, I must ensure my place in Heaven. I converted to the Catholic church when I was in grade school because many of my friends were receiving Communion and it fascinated me. However, as I've gotten older and formed some sense of opinion on such matters, I have yet to find a religion in which I believe in in its entirety.
In all honesty, I'm made up of many different beliefs on human existence and worldly creation, but I choose not to associate with any one religion in particular. Too many of them disinterest me with their strict rituals, gender inequality, or individual superiority. I believe that priests and nuns should have every right to marry and give birth; that women who practice Islam should bare their skin and voice their opinions; that Jehovah's Witnesses should associate with nonbelievers; and that pre-marital sex and homosexual marriage are not sinful. For me, religion isn't something that should be forced or predetermined at birth. Instead, I think that religion is the freedom to believe in yourself and your personal conscience, as well as your ability to define the good in your life. What one may constitute as "good" is a personal choice and will most likely differ amongst others, and so everyone has their own path in life based upon the experiences they undergo.
Sometimes I feel like religion is something that society uses to define your character, and in many ways, I do see how this is true. What you believe in influences the choices you make in life and builds upon your character, however, religion, for me, doesn't make up all of who you are. I don't believe that you have to be connected to a greater power in order to appreciate life and be content with yourself. I do believe that everyone should stand for something in our world; the meaning of life itself as they know it. Though I don't stand for a specific religion, I do have a strong sense of faith and spiritual belief. If anything, I believe that as human beings, our existence on Earth depends on each other. People we meet throughout our lives make impressions and influence the people we choose to become. When those individuals pass away, I believe that the impressions are just as strong. I'm extremely curious about life after death and the paranormal. I'm intrigued with Albert Einstein's theories of time, space, energy, and universal dimensions in physics. Parallel universes make sense to me, and I believe that those who "cross over" are a part of another dimension, capable of channeling their energy through ours. Does that sound crazy? I am unsure if I believe in a Jesus or a God, and I'm okay with that. I definitely think that there is something out there greater than all living things, but I'm not sure if it's a person, a spirit, or an alternate universe-- I want to know more.
Though I appreciate the influences of respected Gods and philosophers, I don't
feel like I should be expected to follow or carry out their beliefs because it is written in our past. I don't think I want to stand for anyone else's beliefs or theories on being. This is not to say that I don't believe these events in our history did take place, but I'm not easily convinced. I am, however, intrigued with different religion's views, and I am open to learning their ideas on the world.
Above all else, I would consider myself to be a Feminist. I am proud to be a woman free to express myself and live in a world free from self doubt. Any religion that degrades or undermines the female gender loses my respect, completely. I'm curious to learn about those religions who choose to speak over women and conceal their wives under layers of clothing. Though I am willing to hear out their reasoning, I'll have to admit, I'm pretty stubborn and I cannot guarantee I'll accept such beliefs with an open mind.
Many times, I feel like religions are trying to compete against each other or profess their greater holiness to another. People are so passionate about their own beliefs that they seem to neglect, hate even, the ideas of others. Why is this? I suppose it's for the same reason why we rage wars or form daily disagreements, but can a mutuality ever be achieved? As human beings, we should have the right to choose what we believe in and acknowledge others and their rights to do so, as well, even though such a right is restricted in some religions. There's a reason why so many religions were created in the first place. Yet we have to realize that what some religions choose to worship won't always make sense to us because there is nothing outside of that which you can have a relationship with. In this way, it is difficult for me to believe in some religious ideas because I choose not to have any form of a relationship or connection to them.
You can't define religion for everyone. It's a universal term that is just that; universal. It means so many things to so many different individuals in different walks of life. It may well be that most of us write our own life's story, making it up as we go along. For me, my views on religion haven't influenced the person I've chosen to become and my morals remain unchanged. I believe that the choices I make in my life, the people I meet, the experiences I go through-- all will also become another page in my story.

No Condoms, No Pill, No Problem: USF's Policy on Birth Control

2007-12-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

Not all girls get their periods at USF. Many female students rely on methods of fertility contraceptives to prevent conception during intercourse, acne, as well as menstrual irregulation. The private Jesuit university, however, has refused to supply birth control products such as the pill and condoms to students on campus.
This issue has caused some students to question the university's foundation with the Catholic church and their rights to uphold such restrictions. They believe that methods of birth control should be easily accessible on campus, while others defend the university's Catholic values and believe that the private college should not have to accommodate other students' non-Catholic beliefs.
"Just because some people who are here aren't Catholic doesn't make the school less Catholic," said USF sophomore Laura Filas.
According to Catholic Answers, an online resource guide to Catholicism, the religion prohibits the use of birth control because they believe that children are conceived at God's will. They also believe that some forms of birth control are unethical because they prevent a fertilized egg from implanting, thus expelling the child from a woman's body.
Yet birth control only prevents the egg from releasing itself, said sophomore nursing student Jordyn Hall. "The egg is never fertilized-- so it's nothing."
Some students would disagree.
"Every act of love should be open to the creation of God," sophomore Marisa Mahr quoted from the Catholic Church.
Or as USF President Father Stephen A. Privett simply stated, "this is a university, not a drugstore."
Privett went on to compare the legalization of birth control to pornography; just because it's legal doesn't mean they have to provide it on campus, he explained.
"The argument is silly," Privett quickly added. "Students smoke and drink too, does that mean we should sell cigarettes or beer on campus?"
"That's like comparing apples to oranges," said Hall, responding to Privett's comment. "Students are going to be having sex anyway, so they might as well provide protection on campus."
In fact, not all private colleges refuse to supply contraceptives to their students. Chapman University, for example, a private, Christian college in Southern California, does provide methods of birth control to students on campus, according to their online Health Center Services.
So, is it just a Catholic thing?
"It's [the school's] church but not everyone feels the same way," said a USF sophomore, remaining Anonymous. "They don't force the religion on students, but by making these restrictions, they kind of are."
Anonymous, a non-Catholic, said she believes that because it is a college campus, easy access to birth control should be permitted to encourage safe, protected sex.
"Can't you just buy condoms at Lucky's?" asked Filas.
Filas, 19, practices the Catholic faith regularly through prayer and church. She does not use birth control and she has never been sexually active.
"I don't see a problem with not providing it [at USF] because I feel like this is a Catholic school," she added. "It's fair because we chose this school, and we knew what it was coming into it."
USF is recognized as the 14th most diverse college campus in the United States, according to 2006 orientation statements. The university applauds the number of religious beliefs on campus and Privett said they do take other people's points of view regarding birth control into consideration.
"It's a fair topic in dialogue and class," he said. "We are not forcing people to hold these set of values, it's an invitation to think about them."
Meanwhile, other private schools seemingly believe an invite is unnecessary.
The University of Southern California, a private, Protestant college, offers Emergency Contraception, "a method of potentially preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse," according to online University Park Health Center Services. EC is available at the school through an Advice Nurse or on a walk-in basis at the campus pharmacy.
Elsie Allen High School in Santa Rosa even prescribes and distributes methods of birth control to students from the entire school district. According to an article on Cybercast News Service, students as young as 14 are able to receive birth control patches, oral birth control, the "morning after pill" and condoms, all without parental consent.
According to an article in Santa Clara University's undergraduate newspaper, like USF, birth control devices are not provided on campus. Similarly, the private Jesuit university does not allow the school's health clinic to give out birth control for contraception. It does, however, allow clinic nurses to "prescribe oral contraceptives, often referred to as 'the pill' for other medical reasons such as acne or Endometriosis."
The USF Student Health Clinic also claim to not provide birth control devices or contraceptives used for the purpose of birth control, according to USF Health Promotions and Services. In fact, they are not supplied at all by the school, said a USF Health Clinic Representative.
If such contraceptives were to be provided on the USF campus, Privett said it would signal that sex is a recreational activity. Catholics, he said, value sexuality as an expression of a genuine relationship between two individuals.
"Strict Catholics would think that it promotes sexual activity, whereas others would view it as merely being cautious," continued Anonymous.
Anonymous, 19, is sexually active and currently uses a generic birth control pill. She obtains her monthly prescriptions through Planned Parenthood because she does not have insurance.
If students cannot obtain birth control on their college campuses, many typically go to a family doctor if they have insurance. These students have to pay about $20 a month for the prescription at a local pharmacy.
Father Privett believes that students who do engage in sexual intercourse should take full responsibility for their actions.
"I guess they have the right to make their own decisions because it's not a public school," said Anonymous. "But I do think they should consider the student population, and the population is having sex. Sex before marriage is a personal choice. Being protected is just a smart option."

Photo courtesy of www.buy-birth-control-pills-online.com

The Public Interest Isn't Always So Interesting

2007-11-10T23:14:00.000-08:00

I recently wrote an essay for my Media Institutions class regarding the regulations founded by the Federal Communications Commission and how many people claim these rules confine public interest amongst society today. But, it got me thinking. What exactly is our public interested in nowadays? According to the Free Press article "Britney Coverage is in the Public Interest and Iran Isn't?", what the public is interested in is, well, "what's in the public interest." An internet research was conducted on Yahoo.com and determined that the top 20 searches conducted during that time period included a pretty appalling list. The search proved that more Americans were concerned about the NFL, Britney Spears, WWE, Limewire, and Jessica Alba than about issues concerning the country's politics or environment. Is this really our way of proving ourselves worthy of a future media democracy? If the public's best interest lies primarily in celebrity gossip or illegal music downloading, maybe the FCC has the right to be so selective in mainstream broadcasts. Just a thought.

Student Journalists Stuff Their Faces at Alumni Panel

2007-10-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hungry USF students gathered to feast at the second Alumni Journalist Panel event in Fromm Hall on Tuesday, October 16 at 7:30pm. And no, not for the finger sandwiches.
For three hours, about 50 big-eyed and eager students with an appetite for news listened as USF graduate journalists dished out personal advice on how to be successful in the cut-throat industry.
"You have to want it-- you have to love it-- and you have to be hungry," said panelist Vicky Nguyen, a field reporter for NBC11.
Above all, the alumni stressed the importance of internships. Toan Lam, a reporter for KRON, interned five times during his four years at USF in hopes to impress his future employers. However, this isn’t always enough, the panelists said. Though internships may supply hands-on experience and shape a pretty resume, many of them agreed that this does not guarantee a job offer right out of school.
“Where’s my job?” questioned Jessica Cook from CNET, after graduation.
Cook, along with the other journalists at the table said they applied to every media corporation possible, and if they were lucky, two or three companies wrote back.
“Treat those like gold,” advised Cook.
At the beginning of their careers, journalists will typically make around only $18,000 to $20,000 a year, according to panelists. The former graduates said that despite their small success and many attempts at leaving the rigorous profession, they somehow kept getting sucked back into journalism because it’s so addicting.
Many of the journalistic techniques they use today such as nut graphs and inverted pyramids came from USF Professors Michael Robertson and Teresa Moore, said the panelists.
The graduates also said that during their college years they wished they could have had the opportunity to attend a panelist discussion. They agreed that an event like this could have better prepared them for their future careers in the journalism industry.
The first USF Alumni Panel event was held about five years ago, according to Professor Robertson.
Nguyen and former classmate Lam, both television reporters, said that of their journalism class, 95% of the students wanted to be on TV.
“The reality is, however, that only 2 to 3% of you will make it,” said Lam.
There is a huge supply of media out there right now and not that much demand, they admitted. The major media corporations are going to look for qualified journalists with the most marketable skill.
According to the panelists, convergence is not a myth. Learn everything, they said, because today, a majority of reporters are one-man bands. They broadcast, film, edit, and produce their own material.
In addition, they encouraged the students to know new media. Online news and technology are growing and changing the reporting landscape completely.
“No Wikipedia!” blog writer Tiffany Maleshefski exclaimed.
The panel said that all journalists need to tell the truth and state the facts.
“You have to be professional, but know that you are human,” said Nguyen. “You have to remember this. Don’t push a story if you know it isn’t right. You’re going to be tested [in this career], but you need to be honest.”
The question is, student journalists, are you still hungry?
“Are you ready to move to Timbucktoo? Are you willing to be broke? Broke?! If so-- keep wanting it,” she said.
The panel was hosted by the Department of Media Studies and included graduates Kent German, Jessica Dryden-Cook, Tiffany Maleshefski, Vicky Nguyen, Toan Lam, Myra Sandoval, Jennifer Jolly, and Tannie Soo Hoo.

Photo courtesy of Professor David Silver.

Pictured: USF Graduate Kent German addresses the audience.

This We'll Defend: Girls Get Dirty in Camo, Too

2007-10-14T17:25:00.000-07:00

When it comes to lugging 45 pound rucksacks and training for the combat field, USF sophomore Basmah Yassin plays just as hard as the boys.
Yassin, a 19 year-old liberal female, is one of about 25 women in the USF Army Reserve Officer Training Core, ROTC, a program designed to prepare college students for the United States Army.
"I really like going out in the field and getting dirty," she says. "I love to be out in the dirt, rolling around."
Of the 60 to 70 students enrolled in the program, about 35 percent of those are women. Yassin says that being a female officer-in-training can be a challenge. Physically, Yassin believes women in ROTC have to work much harder because their bodies are built so differently.
This seems to be a challenge for many women serving in the war, according to Yassin. So much so, she says, that women are even prohibited from the infantry units on the frontlines during real combat.
The military service claims that the reasons for this, she says, are because women are emotionally instable, cannot maintain their cleanliness during combat, and they distract their fellow male officers from doing their jobs. They believe the men need to be focused more on taking on the actual mission, she adds, not saving the women officers during war.
When asked about her feelings on this issue, Yassin blatantly states: "I think this is really retarded."
If she had it her way, Yassin says she would want to take part in combat. Currently, her goal is to become a part of the U.S. Combat Military Police because it's the closest position a woman can get to the frontlines.
"I'm proud of any woman in the military," she says. "It takes a lot to enroll. Camouflage isn't always for combat."
In fact, female cadets have to try not to act too flirtatious because in the service, she says, women are considered to be either dikes or whores.
And despite the fairly significant men to women ratio in the profession, Yassin says many women still have to face stereotypical remarks.
"Boys say that girls can't keep up," she says. "And [people always] ask me: you're in ROTC?! They expect big, manly girls to be involved, and it's really annoying."
Though her petite frame may seem deceiving, Yassin knows what she's in for.
All cadets are required to be in the ROTC program for four years, as well as serve in the U.S. military for eight years following graduation. Cadets must train and complete the program before deployment, then, they will take additional officer courses and be sent to a specific station location. Depending on their rank, region, and job, some army officers make about $60,000 a year, with $8,000 in bonuses, according to Yassin.
In addition to this promised salary, every student a part of the ROTC receives a full four-year scholarship, about $1,200 for course books, a monthly stipend of $500, guaranteed on-campus housing, as well as free FLEXI, she says.
That's if they make it through the rigorous program. During Yassin's freshmen year, about six out of 18 students dropped out. She says that if a cadet chooses to drop out during their junior or senior year, however, scholarship and tuition expenses must be compensated for, otherwise, they will be forced to enlist.
To be successful in ROTC, Yassin says that cadets have to be directive, decisive, possess a strong sense of integrity, and command presence.
"You really have to want it, work hard for it, and be passionate about it," she says.
Once a week, cadets attend ROTC class and lab. Cadets also have to go to three Physical Fitness Training sessions per week. "PT's" involve a variety of leg and muscular endurance exercises; cadets will regularly run four to five miles each day uphill, on stairs, or in sprints. Then, they march three additional miles in uniform lugging 30 pound Standard Operation Procedure gear, or "ruck sacks." Other days, cadets work out on their own time at the gym or on the basketball courts.
On top of her typical weekly workout routine, Yassin is the commander of the ROTC Color Guard Team, a member of the Running Club, a double major in Politics and History, and a competitor on the Class Ranger Challenge Team.
The Ranger Challenge is a yearly ROTC competition to test maximum physical fitness. Every morning, competitors practice from 5:00am to 7:30am, run nine miles, and "rep march" uphill for seven miles with 45 pounds in their sacks to add extra weight to their workout.
Not bad, for a girl.
But is Yassin prepared to kill at war?
"I'm a little scared," she replies. "But the thought has never been in the back of my head. I don't know-- it's really intense and something you can't answer until you're there."
Yassin says she once enjoyed shooting a "blank" gun. It did not contain real bullets.
If Yassin does serve, she will most likely be deployed for 12 to 15 months at a time and will serve a total of eight years with the army. Going to war, she says, is just part of the job.
"I don't think war is the right solution," says Yassin. "It's pretty ugly and it's not what you'd expect; it's not like the movies. It's not just about shooting, but about tactics, planning, waiting, and there's no weaseling out of it."
What's more, Yassin says she is opposed to the war. There's a difference, though, between being opposed to the war and being opposed to serving the war, she notes.
As one of the only liberals in the San Francisco program, Yassin realizes that many people possess negative views on the issue.
"ROTC is a great program," she says. "People just need to take the time to ask questions to better understand it. There are people losing their lives out there for everyone else and we should have respect for those people. When I talk to those who are against it, they usually have a change of thought afterwards," she says.
Yassin first took an interest in the military at an early age. While many young girls may have envisioned themselves as teachers or doctors, Yassin can remember always wanting to be an army officer.
Coming from a liberal background, she says that in the beginning, her family was so against it, she had to apply for the program behind their backs.
"[After I enrolled], there were about three months of no talking because they were so mad at me for joining," she says. "My friends thought that I wasn't the type, that I was too girly, but I did it and proved people wrong."
Now, as a second-year cadet in the ROTC, she says their views have changed some. "They've come around. They're almost proud, too-- almost-- but not quite."
Yassin continues to be a strong member of the ROTC, describing it as: "something really life changing."
Her determination to succeed only emulates her sincere devotion to such a profession.
"I want to be in it for life," says Yassin.

For an exclusive video clip of the ROTC cadets during practice, check this out.

Photo courtesy of: Basmah Yassin

Pictured: (left to right) Sydnie Sekikawa, Basmah Yassin, Lisa Nelson

Video courtesy of: ROTC cadet Trent Gardner via Facebook

Stereotypes Portrayed in Disney Cinema: A Whole New World

2007-10-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

I recently read the article "Deconstructing Disney in the Elementary Art Classroom," where authors Keven M. Tavin and David Anderson stress the manipulative mechanisms G-rated films use to teach popular visual culture to our youth. They claim that Disney movies such as Cinderella or Snow White shape children's perceptions on society, and in doing so, encourage them to construct preconceived notions on the world and how we "ought to" live in it. Tavin and Anderson also discuss the economic factors of the ABC Network (Disney) as an oligopoly and their commercial resources that operate for the soul purpose of "profit maximization." For me, personally, it's difficult to argue for this theory because I'm interested in working for a mass corporation like ABC in the near future. On the other hand, I do agree with the article that the subliminal messages Disney movies use strongly do influence children, and not always in the best of ways. When you begin to pick apart certain Disney themes, characters, and dialogue, it's easy to see how they deny ethnic and gender diversity, as well as realistic story lines. Though happy endings may be practical, children should be exposed to the subject of difference at a young age.
For many years, Disney has been characterized as the main source of representation for the "golden age of innocence" (Tavin and Anderson) our children experience. Typically, we associate the company with "entertainment, childhood, and family values." It's not until later that we realize how stereotypical their material is, and that the messages that have shaped a great deal of our children's imaginations are, in fact, inappropriate. The article continues to bring up some pretty valid points: women in Disney cinema are degraded upon; they are either unemployed or housekeepers, and they traditionally rely on a male "hero" figure for comfort and security. The main characters of Disney princess stories usually tend to be slender, beautiful young women, while middle-aged or older female characters are viewed as wicked, heavy-set, and unattractive. It's the little things like this that make you question the overall values kids are picking up from movies these days. I would think that in such a striving media democracy today, updated renditions of Disney movies would be present in our society. Children need to learn to accept differences between individuals, be it race, gender, sexuality, or physical stature. Why not create an African American Disney character? How about a curvy princess? Or a story based on a princess who rescues a prince; a woman who's independent, strong-willed, and intelligent? After all, princes need rescuing, too. If we begin to lower the standards we have set in children's media, differences between individuals will become special, beautiful even, and kids may face a healthier childhood, free from discrimination or criticism.
Tavin and Anderson's article goes on to talk about an experiment conducted amongst an elementary school art class that focused on breaking such stereotypes. In the experiment, teachers asked their students to define "an issue," what issues they encounter on a daily basis with family or friends, how people come to know one another, and if their knowledge about others came from some form of media. Next, they were asked to define "stereotype," and to list examples of these. Many students in the classroom compared Native Americans to characters in the Disney movies Peter Pan and Pocahontas. According to the article, "one student spoke out... and stated that there are many non-White people in [Tarzan]. The student said 'they are Black; they are the apes.' A short silence followed before other students in the classroom quickly corrected him by clearly stating that 'Blacks are not animals.'" In this way, the learning experiment serves as an extremely efficient tool to reconstruct and question our childhood fantasies and allow the kids themselves to voice their own opinions on Disney cinema.
I believe that if we created a program in elementary schools nationwide that discusses and assesses Disney criteria with students, say, in a classroom or as an exercise, stereotypical notions will decrease. It would be entertaining for the kids, as well. Discussion groups may be formed, and this could increase in-class participation and keep their attention. In this program, teachers may develop lesson plans based upon analyzing stereotypical characters in the movies and there could be suggestions made by the students to improve such labels. Students could even write letters to the ABC Network addressing such accusations or ideas they have made. So many exercises can be taken into action and it wouldn't be difficult to get it all started. A program like this can even be proposed to teacher conferences or PTA meetings-- I think it would be extremely successful.
We already know this experiment works, so why not try it? I really do think that teachers or parents should being to formulate a legit group on assessing Disney films with kids because media has such a strong impact on our world. We have to be able to classify and distinguish between "good" and "bad" media-- so why not start now?

Photo courtesy of <http://shop.pattycakes.com/mmCAKES/Images/p/e_img/42299.jpg>

Professor Jorge Aquino: The Reforming Machista

2007-10-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

Men may rarely consider themselves to be feminists. In the case of USF Theology and Religious Studies Professor Jorge Aquino, however, feminism seems to be quite his expertise.
Professor Aquino spoke to USF affiliates at the Lone Mountain Campus on Wednesday afternoon regarding his ideals on feminist religion thought in the context of Theology and the Latina experience.
Aquino, a Cuban-American liberal male, said he considers himself to be a "reforming Machista-- not a woman, but a feminist."
About 20 audience members gathered as Aquino discussed the struggles many Latina women in America face through marginalization, liberation, cultural difference, and second-hand citizenship. According to Aquino, to be a Latina means to suffer a great deal of racial oppression and exclusion.
"Who will you find cleaning up a hotel room?" Aquino asked, then paused. "That's no accident."
Growing up in a Cuban household in Chesterfield, Missouri, Aquino is no stranger to such bias. As the only person of color in his town, he says that at age 7, he and his brother refused to learn the Spanish language to escape the verbal abuse imposed on his race.
He then reflected upon a hymn he heard in Catholic grade school: "Whatever you do for the least of these my brothers, you do to me" (The Book of Matthew). He says this verse carries the message of inspiration and the spirit of love that has influenced his interest in equality amongst humankind.
Aquino continued to argue in his speech that when we construct gender discourse in the world, mutuality between the sexes becomes interrupted. According to Aquino, America is currently in the "Nepantla" of "feminist consciousness," a term derived from the Aztec language indicating a place of confusion and crisis. In order to think beyond set sexual standards, he believes that we must center ourselves in between the two extremes.
"Why is [feminism] such a dirty word?" Aquino asked the audience. "[Today's] generation doesn't understand what the word means or what it constitutes."
As a result, feminism continues to be just as fluid today as in the past. It's easy for males and females to ignore that it still happens, according to Aquino.
In fact, The low number of female students studying Theology concerns him. He believes the frontiers many females face in the world are creating a backlash that needs to break.
Sexual harassment in the workplace, pornography, and sexual enslavement in third world countries are a few examples of what Aquino considers to be "gross facts of society."
Women shouldn't have to deal with this," he stated. "They need their dignity."
Aquino, now a graduate student with a doctorate in Religious Studies, feels that his culture's rough history with America as well as his Catholic faith are reasons to have doubted his destiny in teaching Theology.
"Teaching is something more succulent," he says. "I could only do this kind of work here at USF because not many schools allow you to think freely about your faith."
According to Aquino, Latin Theology is creative, syncretic, and hybrid. It mixes with different religions and saints, both Catholic and non-Catholic.
If men and women begin to incorporate the theories of Latin Theology and feminism, he hopes that society will cease the fire raging between gender roles and racial inequity.
Aquino concluded his discussion with the words of a Latina feminist: "one must stew, steep, and soak one's self in order to nourish and train the soul."

Photo courtesy of: <http://www.ur1.com.au/www/157/files/disney-princesses.jpg>