2015 – Teen Observer Archive

June 26, 2019June 26, 2019

Acceptance of LGBTQ people declining among those aged 18 to 34: GLAAD

Acceptance of LGBTQ people in the United States is on the decline among people aged 18 to 34, according to a 2019 GLAAD report.

That means many young people who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender or gender non-binary are dealing with the consequences of that homophobia. Many also face racism.

“GLAAD announced the findings of its fifth annual Accelerating Acceptance Index, a national survey among U.S. adults conducted on GLAAD’s behalf by The Harris Poll,” according to GLAAD’s website.

“Importantly, however, this year’s Index found the number of young Americans ages 18-34 who are comfortable across all seven scenarios dropped from 53% to 45%, the second consecutive year that this age group has shown a drop,” GLAAD’s

A person protests against the Westboro Baptist Church. (Photo by andendquote courtesy of Creative Commons)

website says.

Fear is born of ignorance, ignorance is born from lack of education, and discrimination is born from fear, according to citizens of Washington, D.C. interviewed this month in the Tenleytown neighborhood and on American University’s campus.

“I think the cause of discrimination is fear and lack of understanding that leads to unnecessary hatred,” said Brianna Fowler, who was interviewed about discrimination at a Starbucks in the Tenleytown neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C.

Many factors tie into causing discrimination, and fear and lack of education seem to be the largest ones, especially regarding homophobia and racism because LGBTQ and race are both things that can be blatantly seen. Discrimination is psychological—when you don’t understand something, you often develop fear, and then act on that fear through fight, flight, or freeze, according to “Exploring Your Mind.”

That resonated with Megan Eigsti, who sat reading at a cafe in Tenleytown.

“Discrimination is caused by fear of people who are different and fear of losing your place in the social system,” Eigsti said. “It’s a misplaced fear.”

Homophobia and xenophobia are both anxiety disorders, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

However, there are actions that can be taken to improve, to help to stop and prevent discrimination, according to those interviewed.

“Discrimination comes from ignorance,” said Marley Brookes, who was on American University’s campus. “If people understood others and put themselves in their shoes, it would go a long way.”

Some D.C. citizens say that discrimination is on the rise, while others say that it’s steadily getting better. Something many of them agree about is that it absolutely can and needs to stop as much as possible.

“If I had the power to do anything, I would make sure to not discriminate,” said Gabby Bennet, 14. “And I would educate them so that they could no longer be ignorant.”

June 25, 2018June 27, 2018

Bike share views mixed as Metro renovations go on

Washington, D.C residents and workers reacted to bike shares and other mass transportation options this month as the WMATA’s billion-dollar repair and renovation work continues.

Derrick Jefferson, 45, originally from California and works as a librarian at American University, has lived in the district for 5 years. He says that he is a “big advocate for public transportation,” and he likes the different types of transportation options in the district, although he feels it could be better implemented.

Lailah Johnson, 18, from Washington D.C., believes that the dock-less bikes are efficient because “you don’t have to walk to a dock station, which may not be close to where you live, to get a bike.”

She says that the dock-less bikes are “cool” because you can just locate the closest one through an app. She never felt like they were in the way. She likes the fact that “you don’t ever have to buy it, you can just rent it for not as much money.”

Without the bikes or the metro she wont have a way to get around.

A woman takes the Metro at the Tenleytown station on Monday, June 25. Photo by Nia Cain.

Madison Childs, 17, from Washington, D.C., thinks that the dock-less bikes are “a waste of money,” she says they are good for the environment but she wouldn’t recommend them to a friend.

She doesn’t think the bikes are in the way and said they are a “cleaner way of transportation and a great way to get exercise, which is needed in America.” She prefers walking.

Liliana King, 22, recently graduated from American University and says she relies on the Metro. If her train line was closed she wouldn’t really know how to get around.

Reginald Dickens, 17, believes that the dock-less bikes are a good alternative for people if their Metro line was shut down due to repairs.

But he personally thinks that the bikes are inconvenient because, “If the bikes are not in your neighborhood you’re out of luck.”

July 14, 2017

U.S. student debt tops $1.4 trillion

WASHINGTON, D.C.–American University students and Northwest District of Columbia residents said Wednesday that student loan debt which is above $1.4 trillion in the United States today is a serious issue facing those seeking higher education in America.

Nelson Jacobson discusses his experience with student loans. By Vicky Tan

“Interest rates are rising and I’m scared that I’ll still be paying of loans when I’m 35,” said Leila Ackerman, 18, who will start at American University this Fall.

Ackerman worries about expenses beyond just tuition and housing. She said the hidden costs are also going to add up. Not only is tuition becoming more and more expensive, but new students must be able to afford food, textbooks and other necessities to living away from home.

“I’m one of the lucky ones, I can’t even imagine what having loans breathing down your back would feel like,” said Janice Barlow, 20, an American University student. “You really can’t do anything. Every thing you do, anywhere you go, you have to be thinking about money.”

According to the Student Loan Debt Report, national student loan debt collectively currently totals $1.41 trillion.

According to the report, around 70 percent of college students in the United States now owe some soft of debt for education. However, even with almost a whole generation drowning in student loan debt, there is no guarantee of employment after they graduate.

There was a general consensus among both residents and students that government is not doing enough to help financially struggling students. With interest rates slowly rising, the nation has not made education as high a priority as others, they said.

“Government should try to make education more affordable, everyone should have the opportunity to go to get a better education if they want to. Money should not be a limiting factor,” Ackerman said.

July 7, 2016

Despite urban area, AU students and staff feel safe

Emergency blue light towers stand throughout American University Northwest Washington, D.C. campus and offer an extra l

An American University staffer walks by an emergency tower on campus. Photo credit Jordyn Fields.

ayer of safety and protection, but many interviewed on campus this month said they feel completely safe.

“I think on certain campuses safety is an issue but not here,” said 20-year-old Cristina Tejada, sitting at the campus Starbucks. “I feel safe on AU’s campus.”

Almost a dozen students and staff this week said crime is not one of their major concerns at American University. But nationwide, in 2014, 50,000 criminal offenses took place on college campuses, according to the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Crimes at American University’s campus have ranged from bike theft and burglary to alcohol violations and aggravated assault, according to the Public Safety website.

Incoming college first-year students at American are given tips and guidelines about staying safe in college. Tips include using the “buddy system,” getting home early, and knowing where those blue emergency towers are.

“It’s better to start with the individual because there’s such a good campus security presence,” said Denise Paolella, who works at American.

Campus police patrol cars circle campus.The school also offers a self defense class.

“I didn’t have a lot of concerns about campus safety,” said 42-year-old Joy Adams, who now works on campus. While she was a college student in Texas she said, “I was mindful of my environment by making sure I didn’t walk in dark place on my own.”

August 11, 2015

Marc-ing his territory

Marcus Semien talks to reporters for the Teen Observer before the Oakland A's took on the Houston Astros on Aug. 6. Photo by Haley — Marcus Semien talks to reporters for the Teen Observer before the Oakland A’s took on the Houston Astros on Aug. 6. Photo by Haley Schikner

OAKLAND, Calif. — Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics shortstop, grew up in the Bay Area and loved baseball. Everyone in his family was a San Francisco Giants fan. Semien’s grandmother took him to those games, and he remembers watching Barry Bonds play ball at Pacific Bell Park (now AT&T Park) and saw Bonds’ 700th career home run.

“Honestly, I’m happy wherever I’m at,” Semien’s said in an interview with Teen Observer, when talking about his move from the Chicago White Sox to the Oakland A’s. His mother, Tracy White, told The San Francisco Chronicle’s John Shea: “We’re all now converted. I tell him, ‘Now I only wear green and gold for you.’ I’m an A’s fan now for sure.”

And Semien said he does appreciate being closer to home.

“Whenever you’re going through a lot of ups and downs, it’s hard times, it’s good to have that support there around you,” he said. Semien said he appreciates the great opportunities the Oakland A’s give him, and that they are working with him to improve his game.

Does Semien, 24, have any advice for young athletes? “Make sure you work hard, and whatever you’re working on and doing, make sure you give it everything you’ve got. … just work hard and grind through tough times because it’s always going to make you a better person, and in my case, a better player.”

Growing up, Semien was exposed to numerous sports. His father, Damien Semien, was a wide receiver for the University of California, Berkeley, Golden Bears. Marcus played baseball and basketball when he was young, but said, “I was always better at baseball, and I always liked it better.” He added, “My dad recommended that I don’t play football because of all the injuries that come with it.” The younger Semien helped lead the Golden Bears to the College World Series in 2011 — the first time in nearly two decades.

August 11, 2015

Berkeley farmers’ market builds relationships

Every Saturday, locals and tourists come together to see food, plants, music and people that the Berkeley’s http://ecologycenter.org/fm/ has to offer.

One of the most memorable parts of this experience is the sound of Lindell Reeves’ voice, a mixture of country twang and Southern soul. Reeves is 80 and has been playing guitar and writing songs since he was a boy growing up in Tennessee.

He first came to Berkeley in the 1960s during the Summer of Love and has been entertaining people at this same farmers’ market for more than 20 years. His favorite part about these days is “singin’ the blues” and watching the people go by, and he said the relationships he has fostered is what keeps him coming back.

ChocolateBooth — Sean Jewell not only sells his unique chocolate, but he is also the one who makes it. Photo by Makena Huey

Another longtime face at the Saturday market downtown is Sean Jewell, who has been selling raw chocolate for the past six years. His favorite part of the market is “talking to customers and getting their opinions,” which is how he keeps up with their changing food preferences.

He said that working together with the other vendors is a distinctive part of their local community and they “definitely keep an eye on each other, in a good way.” If one of the nearby vendors needs to take a break, he will watch their booth or offer to help their customers.

He also said that he and some of the other vendors have a “barter economy,” offering that “I’ll give you some chocolate for some cheese.”

The relationships between the vendors is important, and the vendors’ relationships with their customers are even more important, said Dante Kaleo, the youth program assistant for the Ecology Center. His job is to organize everything and make sure that the city and the vendors are communicating.

The farmers’ market allows California farmers to bring seasonal, locally grown produce to sell directly to consumers. Kaleo said, “Our mission is based around sustainability and economic awareness.”

He loves his job, he said, because of “the amount of appreciation” he gets and “the relationships and trust” he builds with his customers. Locals often come here to purchase their everyday necessities and end up “running into their friends” along the way. Although the Ecology Center is constantly trying to evolve and improve, customers can always count on the atmosphere to “stay exactly the same,” he said.

veggies — More than 60 vendors set up at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market on Center Street. Photo by Makena Huey

Kaleo said the market has had a positive impact on Berkeley because it “brings people together and builds a strong sense of community.” For more information about upcoming events, you can visit their website here.

August 11, 2015August 13, 2015

Berkeley’s Farmers’ Market brings community together

BERKELEY, Calif. — Different vendors began to set up early Saturday morning at the weekly downtown Farmers’ Market here. While putting out fresh tomatoes, strawberries and peaches, displaying honey and oils and calling out different pastries and breads, area farmers attracted locals as well as tourists.

Flowers at the Farmer's Market. Photo by Lisa Wratten — In addition to fresh tomatoes and peaches, brightly colored wildflower bouquets line Center Street. Photo by Lisa Wratten

Suzan Chun, a local from the Bay area, continually comes two to three times a week.

“The vendors have really, really good produce that’s fresh and tastes good,” Chun said. “I’ll buy it on Saturday. and it’ll still be fresh on Friday when I cook it.”

One vendor, Katie Coffman, has been working for True Grass Farms for two years. True Grass Farms sells beef, as well as poultry and pork.

“I love coming to the farmers’ market because there’s a beautiful connection between the farmers and consumers. You’re seeing a product coming directly from the farm to the consumers,” Coffman said.

For some, this is their first time experiencing a Berkeley’s Farmers’ Market, which are held in three different locations each week, year-round. Hernandez Hideaway, a band of four years now, performed for the first time last weekend. They brought the violin, mandolin, soprano saxophone, trombone, accordion and bass guitar to the market and street fair.

“We have kind of an old world Eastern Europe folk feel,” trombonist Sam Hernandez said.

Violinist as well as mandolinist Nao Nakazawa said that they were playing to promote their next show, which was their album launch party.

Others have been at the Farmers’ Market a lot longer; Three Twins Organic Ice Cream has been selling here for nearly nine years. The business was started in San Rafael by Neal Gottlieb.

“I like doing the market because it’s like I give back to the community,” Neal’s father, Simon, said.

Three Twins eventually expanded to Napa, Larkspur and San Francisco and built a factory in Petaluma. The ice cream is now in every Whole Foods store across the country, as well as some Costco’s. It has even found itself being enjoyed internationally, in places such as China, South Korea and Lebanon.

“All my son wanted to do was think of something that no one else was making; now look where that landed him,” Simon Gottlieb said.

For some people like George Haley, the farmers’ market means a great deal.

“The problem with food in the supermarket is that it has no flavor,” Haley said. “It’s picked before it’s ripened and then left to ripen off the vine. The Farmers’ Market is a great thing because the food ripens before getting picked.”

Hernandez Hideaway warms up as they get ready for their first performance at Berkeley’s Farmers’ Market to promote their album release. Photo by Lisa Wratten

Haley has been going to the market for 26 years; the market has run for 27 years. He started because of the fresh tomatoes but became a regular because of the huge difference in taste for everything, as well as the organic produce, he said.

“The market means a lot as a community. I’ve been coming so long that I’ve made so many friends that I see every week. It’s the only time I get to see them, but I always love to chat with them,” Haley said.

Berkeley’s Farmers’ Market has a variety of products, from ice cream to fruits to pastries, meats, and cheeses. From toddlers to the elderly, the market draws a diverse crowd throughout the day as well, and brings together farmers and consumers.

“Eating is a spiritual act and I feel like the Farmers’ Market shares that. People connect over food,” Coffman said of True Grass Farms.

August 11, 2015August 11, 2015

How a Bay Area kid has become a cog in the A’s lineup

The following is an edited version of a brief pre-game interview the Teen Observer staff had with Oakland A’s shortstop Marcus Semien on Aug 6.

OAKLAND, Calif. — We had a chance to talk with Oakland A’s shortstop Marcus Semien about this season, his strengths and weaknesses and his feelings on playing for a his local team.

Q: You’re from the Bay Area. Has there been any added pressure playing in your hometown?

A: “Playing in the big leagues is a lot different. …;’v there’s a lot more eyes on you … whenever you’re going through a lot of ups and downs, it’s hard times, it’s good to have that support there around you. But it’s also tough sometimes because everybody knows what’s going on.”

Q: You’ve played a lot of third and second base with the White Sox. Now, you’re settling in as a shortstop. How has that transition been?

A: “The Oakland A’s have given me a great opportunity here. I’ve had some struggles and made some mistakes but they done what they can to work with me. … The A’s brought in Ron Washington to help me a lot. He’s been great for me. And I’m starting to get comfortable.”

Q: Your dad played wide receiver for the Golden Bears. In high school, you played basketball. Why did you choose to go into baseball as opposed to football?

A: “Baseball has always been my favorite sport. You know, I started playing basketball or baseball when I was 5. I was always better at baseball and i liked it better. I never got into football. My dad actually recommended that I don’t play football because of all the injuries that come along with it. He really enjoyed that I played two sports.”

Q: Which part of your game do you believe has the biggest room for improvement?

A: “I really look at every part of my game. Right now, where I’m at, defensively, continuing to get better, making a routine play at shortstop or wherever position I’m at. At the plate, just being a more consistent hitter. … getting those RBIs, scoring runs and doing those things that help us win.”

Q: Can you describe the feeling of hitting your first major league home run?

A: “That was amazing. It’s what you dream about as a kid.”

Q: How has the team’s poor performance affected the mindset of this team?

A: It’s tough because during spring we played so well. We expected big things. We knew we had some things to prove and the fans weren’t happy with some of the changes that had been made. … It’s a new series now. We’ve just go to make some adjustments.”

August 11, 2015August 13, 2015

Chez Panisse, bringing the farm to the table for 44 years and counting

A chef runs the first of ten sheet-cake sized trays of pasta to the kitchen. Photo by Hannah Litt

BERKELEY, Calif. — It is 10 in the morning and while in some parts of town the day is just beginning, the day at Chez Panisse in the “Gourmet Ghetto” here is in full swing. Chefs are unloading whole lambs and pigs off trucks and running them in through the back entrance; others are inside chopping red peppers and sorting fresh blackberries.

Meanwhile, the bartender is washing and organizing wine glasses and the florist is cutting and arranging wildflowers. Dozens of the 115 staffers are also are setting the tables for the day ahead of them: The fixed-price dinner in the dining room, and the lunch and dinner meals in the café. Over the last 44 years, Chez Panisse has got its morning routine down to a science.

The 500 customers a day who dine at the restaurant are meant to experience a restaurant meal that feels like at-home dining. However, in order to make it all happen, General Manager Jennifer Sherman says that the establishment needs all hand on deck to make the “wheels turn.” Employees have a passion for food and wine and are hardworking, Sherman said.

At Chez Panisse, ingredients are brought in fresh each day from farms and ranches. Here, a chef sorts fresh blackberries for use in desserts and sauces. Photo by Hannah Litt

Founder Alice Waters and friends opened the restaurant in 1971. The first four-course meal costed $6.25, including wine. Now, an average meal can cost $100, excluding wine.

When the restaurant first opened, Waters had recently come back from studying abroad in France, where, according to Sherman, she is said to have fallen in love with the daily shopping for ingredients and the long dining experiences. A student of the French culture, Waters was inspired by French restaurateurs, who made dining at their restaurants feel like a community passionately coming together over food.

Another special aspect about Chez Panisse is its practice of only using ingredients that look the freshest at the market each day. Since freshness is key, there is a new menu daily. Sherman said, “The food is different twice a day, every day.” The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday.

Chez Panisse takes pride in serving dishes that are never frozen, never artificial and always organic. Sherman, who was a chef at Chez Panisse before becoming General Manager, said that they also use only ingredients that are in season.

Thirty years ago, Chez Panisse had a bad kitchen fire, which destroyed the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. Sherman said, “[Alice is] always someone to look at something as an opportunity rather than a hurdle.” She saw the openness from the front of the house to the back of the house as yet another way to make diners feel that they were at a dinner party in someone’s home.