Teen Observer Archive

August 7, 2015

From barely talking to Bear Talking

Rising sophomore David Straub, assistant director of sports, in the KALX studio sitting at the microphone by Chelsea Siegal — Rising sophomore David Straub, assistant director of sports, in the KALX studio shows off the studio where he works.
Photo by Chelsea Siegal

BERKELEY, Calif. — The University of California, Berkeley is widely known for many things: amazing academic programs, a picturesque campus and award-winning sports.

Situated in the basement of a building in the middle of the campus is a place that may not be as well-known: KALX, 90.7 FM, the campus’ broadcasting radio station.

The radio station provides students and Berkeley locals with up-to-date information regarding Golden Bears football, basketball and baseball teams through its sports talk-show, Bear Talk.

David Straub, the assistant director of sports, is a sophomore economics major who discovered that the radio programs allowed him to pursue a new passion: sports radio broadcasting. As Straub said, “It’s never too late to get into something like sports broadcasting… as long as you have a passion for it.”

Straub started listening to KALX soon after arriving on campus. He went to a recruiting session to learn more about volunteer opportunities and discovered that those on air for music program were far more knowledgeable than he was.

But when Sports Editor Glenn Borok talked sports opportunities, including a chance to travel with the Cal teams, Straub was hooked. “I like sports. I like seeing sports. I like new places. So that’s all it really took for me to be on board,” Straub said.

Straub was a big hockey fan but not involved in sports in high school and admitted that he sometimes “would root for the wrong team by accident.”

During his first appearance on Bear Talk in the fall of 2014, when the station offered for others to go on during an “open mic” night, Straub gave it shot, but said he felt awkward and uncomfortable being in a room full of sports aficionados making references to three decades of Bay Area sports — which he couldn’t keep up with. “I said two words in the entire half-hour,” he said.

After the broadcast ended, he was sure his radio career was over. Much to his surprise, though, the station called him back the next week and asked if he return for another show. Straub quickly brushed up on Golden Bears athletics.

Straub said that the Sports Department consists of 10-15 students but many members of the community also help on- and off-air, including other Cal alums. During the program, he works with an engineer, a play-by-play reporter, a spotter who assists the reporter, a color commentator and a rotating host. He recently asked to take over hosting and was given the slot. He said he wants to “build on my ability to create story lines.”

A panel of contributors consisting of current students, Cal alumni, Berkeley City College students, and other Berkeley residents participate in the sports programs.

Straub said, “People want a simplified package” and want one of his strengths is “being able to understand patterns.”

He added listeners “want to be able to hear from people who can tie it together with a pretty bow.”

August 7, 2015August 11, 2015

Column: A’s fall in tough home loss to Astros

OAKLAND, Calif.- Due to late defensive mistakes, the Houston Astros handed the Oakland Athletics their whopping 62nd loss of the season, bringing them 14 games under .500 and keeping them dead last in the AL West, 5 games behind the Mariners.

In pre-game interviews, Marcus Semien, Oakland’s inconsistent, yet talented No. 1 shortstop, told the Teen Observer staff that his team was looking to “defend their home turf” and “make some necessary adjustments” following a rough series against the Orioles. At first, it seemed as if the A’s would do just that, coming back from being down by one in the first inning with two solo home runs in the second and fifth. Though Oakland’s defense was shaky against the top team in their division, they kept the Astros at bay for a good portion of the game.

Things got interesting around the top of the eighth inning, when hits by Carlos Correa and Colby Rasmus of Houston put the Astros up 4-2.

The painful part about the latest of many losses for the A’s was that the late rally by their opponents was countered by a last-minute comeback at the bottom of the ninth, with Stephen Vogt and Brett Lawrie both making their way around the bases to tie the ballgame. To shake things up even further, the Lawrie run was a result of a single by Bobby Burns who reached the plate a split second before the Astros’ first baseman caught the ball. The call on the field that Burns was safe stood after a brief review by the MLB and several minutes of nail biting for A’s fans in the stands. After eight innings of stagnant baseball, the mellow crowd at O.co Coliseum had a game to watch.

The excitement, however, was short-lived, as Houston’s Jed Lowrie smashed a 93 MPH fastball into left field, buying just enough time for Jose Altuve on second base to score for the win in the 10th inning.

The outcome of this contest is a prime example of why the A’s have had such a disappointing season thus far. On paper, Oakland has some excellent, young pitchers and a strong core of consistent batters, but their lack of cohesion on defense yields amateur mistakes that override any offensive success they may be capable of.

Though many argue that the A’s deserve to be higher in the standings, there is simply no excuse for the rookie mistakes that they make on the field. There are miscommunications that happen in the Athletics’ outfield on a regular basis that have no place in major league baseball. At this point in the schedule, Oakland needs to focus on patching up the basic holes in their game in preparation for next season.

Though Dog Day at O.co Coliseum is over, the dog days for the A’s are certainly not over.

August 7, 2015August 13, 2015

Column: Marcus Semien in a change of atmosphere

OAKLAND, Calif.—Welcome to California, where people cheer louder when it rains than when Brett Lawrie hits a 447-foot bomb. An unimpressive season for the A’s thus far, sitting at the bottom of the AL table, things need to change. I sat down with Marcus Semien yesterday to talk to him about the tough season and what he has in store for the rest of the season and for the rest of his career. Despite the fact that the A’s are shot for a playoff spot, Semien, a Cal grad, mentioned that it was important for him and the team to continue to put in the effort throughout. That positive attitude shone through when he was talking about a three-run shot he hit against the Orioles on Tuesday, saying “Every time I go up to the plate, I want to do something to help the team win.”

Semien, who has now staked out his spot as a full-time big leaguer, is not only settling in to the Bay Area, where he grew up, but also is now settling in to his natural position at short. On the White Sox, where he played third and second because Alexei Ramirez had the starting job at short, he wasn’t comfortable. After moving to the A’s and settling in at short, he has come in to his element and seized what he called “a big opportunity” to stake out a starting role at short. Only a newly found big league talent, he was very clear in describing the difference of the atmosphere in the minors and the big leagues.

“It’s different” Semien said. “There’s nothing like it.”

Semien’s optimism and humility came through again when asked what part of his game he needed to focus on most by replying “I really look at every part of my game,” and that he is working to become a more consistent player.

Semien, batting a meager .249 with 10 homers and 26 RBIs, has been picking up steam recently over the last six games, hitting a more impressive .277 with two dingers, including a three-run moon shot on a hanging curveball that brought the A’s to a 5-0 lead on Tuesday night.

Semien’s future looks promising, and if his recent performance is any indication of what is to come, then the A’s are lucky to have such a promising prospect rounding out the infield at short over the next couple years. Providing defensive prowess, occasional power at the plate, and a sense of optimism, Semien’s future with the A’s and the big leagues looks promising.

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015

Transgender movement gathers awareness and supporters

Washington D.C. residents and students expressed varying viewpoints about the transgender movement, which has gathered momentum in the last couple of years in the wake of several high-profile celebrity advocates and television shows.

This week in Tenleytown, a half dozen interviewees leaned toward a more accepting and liberal standpoint of transgender icons, people and the movement in general.

Michelle Nowak, 19, is involved in the Human Rights Campaign, which fights for LGBTQ equality in the workplace. She identifies as “liberal” from a social standpoint but conservative from an economic perspective.

Nowak supports the transgender movement wholeheartedly. She was especially concerned with allowing not just transgender people–but any person–to enjoy the life they live and to be comfortable.

“If that’s how they find happiness, then I’m not going to get in the way of that,” Nowak said.

Alison Jones, 20, an American University student, includes transgender friends in her group and openly supports LGBTQ rights and the community.

Jones said the experience of her transgender friends is predominantly negative and says they sometimes face discrimination from others even in places often identified as liberal.

“It’s a process of talking to them about their experience,” Jones said. She added, “It’s definitely eye-opening.”

Photo by Lenny Ignelzi, Associated Press.

Transgender icons impact their community as well as the general LGBTQ community. Laverne Cox, a transgender woman famous for her role in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, advocates for stronger acceptance.

The award-winning Amazon series Transparent won big at the Golden Globes this year. It features a transgender woman as its protagonist.

Caitlyn Jenner, too, brought the issue to the public’s attention with her cover story in Vanity Fair, and an interview with Diane Sawyer earlier this year.

Bryan Bauer, 19, said he didn’t have a strong opinion regarding the transgender community and didn’t think he was personally affected by it.

On the topic of Jenner, Bauer said that Jenner “was a good athlete at some point, but made his own decision, and it’s his decision, not mine.”

The issue of transgender people in the media has received attention from major advocacy groups like GLAAD, which has a media reference guide on transgender issues. Even though Bauer referred to Jenner with the male pronoun, GLAAD’s guidelines favor that the media use the transgender person’s preferred pronoun.

Emma Jackson, 31, mentioned that while she could not speak on behalf of the transgender community, she did approve of the fact that transgender icons such as Cox raised awareness, however she added that there were both upsides and downfalls.

“By opening themselves up to conversation, they allow that conversation to take place,” said Jackson, regarding transgender icons representing their community through the media.

Lee Martin, a college junior at Christopher Newport University and a liberal, believes that Cox is “awesome” and a strong figure of the LGBTQ and transgender community.

“She’s doing a great job at portraying the transgender community and that they aren’t something weird or unnatural,” said Martin, who is a teaching assistant this summer for a high school program at American University.

This week at Washington D.C.’s National Mall, interviewees were primarily indifferent toward topics relating to the transgender community but said advocacy is making its way through social media.

Emily Brown, 19, mentioned that social media in particular informed her view of the transgender community, and she stayed informed through the news, Facebook and Tumblr.

“Through the media coverage I’ve learned more of like, how to address transgender people,” said Brown, on the topic of transgender celebrities in the media.

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015

Smithsonian’s newest museum to celebrate black culture

Tourists on the National Mall on Monday acknowledged the potential for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to broaden understanding of black culture as the building nears completion, but many were unaware of the museum’s construction before they arrived.

When asked about the site, reaction to the building and its future was overwhelmingly positive.

The museum will “help us understand what people of color have gone through,” said Michael Wolf, 51, a white man from Minnesota. It will educate us “so that we don’t repeat stupid things like slavery.”

Construction began in 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2016 according to the Smithsonian website.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture under construction at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue on the National Mall.

Although the reaction to the museum was overwhelmingly positive, many white tourists were uncomfortable talking about the museum in the wake of a year in which racial tensions have flared. Many who agreed to be interviewed declined to comment once told the subject of the story.

Those who did share their opinions agreed the museum would help people appreciate the role blacks have played in American history.

The museum will highlight African American “achievements and accomplishments that have made the United States great,” said Wolf, who was touring the World War II memorial.

Stacey Jones, 46, a black woman from Houston, Texas said the museum will “help people see the contributions that African Americans have made to our society.”

The construction of the museum is a milestone for African Americans, and President Barack Obama weighed in on that significance during a groundbreaking ceremony in 2012.

“I want visitors to appreciate this museum not just as a record of tragedy, but as a celebration of life,” Obama said according to a transcript of the groundbreaking ceremony posted to the White House website.

On the Mall this week, tourists said they hope the museum will provide education and connect races.

“A better outlook at the other people,” said Marco Middleton, 25, a black man from Georgia about his hope for the museum.

It will “help us not compete against one another,” Middleton said.

The museum’s website reflects Middleton’s opinion, describing the museum as “a place that transcends the boundaries of race and culture that divide us.”

“It is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history, and culture,” according to the Smithsonian website.

Different ethnicities will be able to understand black culture, Jones said.

“People will see things from our point of view,” Jones continued. “History textbooks are from a white perspective.”

Exhibits will focus on slavery, Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement, among others, according to the museum’s website. The collection is being formed.

Some people are blind to real history, said Pamela Clerk, 51, who is black.She hopes it will help younger generations learn.

The museum will have student workshops to offer that perspective that Jones said cannot be found in schools.

Student workshops at the museum “are a resource for youth (ages 10-18) in which themes in American history are illuminated through the lens of African American experiences,” according to the museum’s website.

That’s good news to Clerk.

“We have a great history and we’re great people,” Clerk said.

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015

SCOTUS same-sex ruling brings diverse opinions

Students and residents in the Washington D.C. area offered diverse opinions regarding June’s historic U.S. Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling, with many people’s views mirroring how they feel about homosexuality as more than just the right to marry.

On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled same sex marriage is a Constitutional right, prompting passionate response from dissenters but candid support from those who contend homosexuality is natural and the denial of rights misguided.

People celebrate the June 26 same-sex marriage decision by the U.S. Supreme Court decision. Associated Press photo by Jaquelyn Martin.

“It isn’t right to denigrate people for something that isn’t their fault,” said Cafoncelli Antonio, a 76-year-old professor at American University, who explained that revolutionary genetic studies have proven the genomes of a person determine their sexuality.

While Antonio cited scientific arguments about homosexuality’s origins, others interviewed cited personal relationships and religion as reasons to favor or oppose same-sex marriage.

Pro-gay sentiment however, was rather high amongst the majority of people interviewed in Northwest Washington D.C. as many believed that they were not affected by homosexuals getting more rights, so they said it made no sense to fight against same-sex marriage.

“Who am I to judge?” said Sarah Belson, dean of the American University’s School of Education.

However, on the opposite end of the spectrum, those who didn’t favor the ruling, were firm in their dissent.

“Family business is a woman’s business,” said Alex Medouni, a 50-year-old resident of Washington D.C. discussing his opposition the same-sex marriage ruling. “The victims are children.”

Four people interviewed this month who were against the ruling agreed children would not have a solid family foundation or moral compass under laws granting same-sex marriage.

But, Ned McFadden, 45, found the argument that children would be harmed unpersuasive. He noted children who grow up in a society that grants marriage rights to those regardless of sexual orientation will be better off.

“The family is changing,” McFadden said while discussing the ruling’s societal consequences.

Others interviewed this month said they were opposed to the ruling because the federal government had no business interfering in state and local self-rule.

That argument, however, didn’t sit well with American student Kara Suvada.

“Human rights take precedent over states’ rights,” Suvada.

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015

Students get inspired on visit to downtown Bloomberg offices

Students in American University’s Discover the World of Communication professional news-writing program visited on Wednesday Bloomberg’s Washington D.C. news headquarters to see how a professional media outlet runs.

Bloomberg White House reporter Margaret Talev takes American University Discover the World of Communication students on a tour of Bloomberg's TV studio. Photo by Margot Susca. — Bloomberg White House reporter Margaret Talev, far right, takes American University Discover the World of Communication students on a tour of Bloomberg’s TV studio. Photo by Margot Susca.

The professionalism of the Bloomberg offices gave the aspiring journalists high expectations for their future careers.

“If I weren’t interested in sports I could definitely see myself working there,” said DWC student Sam Goldfarb, 15.

Students arrived at the New York Avenue office building in downtown Washington and took the elevator up to the top floor. At its district branch, Bloomberg has offices on the 8th, 10th and 11th floors.

“All Bloomberg offices are on the top floor,” said Margaret Talev, 43, Bloomberg’s White House correspondent.

At Bloomberg bureaus Talev explained the company always occupies the top floor, has an aquarium and displays fresh flowers.

Students also noted that journalists were grouped into cubicles based on the subject they cover. Each person had two monitors: one with Bloomberg’s internal system and another used to write articles or access the internet.

“It was a lot bigger than I expected,” said Goldfarb, who had previously visited Comcast Sportsnet’s D.C. offices.

The 11th floor is home to TV and radio personnel, as well as the snack bar and makeup room. Tours aren’t open to the public, but the staff created a welcoming environment for the students and encouraged them to ask questions.

Students had to remain quiet as they passed by one man reading out stock information into a microphone as he concluded a radio broadcast.

A column in Bloomberg's downtown D.C. offices. — A column in Bloomberg’s downtown D.C. offices.

After visiting the snack bar, students took the stairs down to the 10th floor, where the print journalists work, and where the television studio is housed. Students visited the TV studio and observed the teleprompters and microphones that are central to a television operation.

The print journalists’ offices share the same cubicle layout as the 11th floor. Columns dispersed among the cubicles were wallpapered with news articles.

On the 8th floor, students met with famed Bloomberg journalist Albert Hunt. Hunt spent 39 years at T

he Wall Street Journal before moving to Bloomberg news in 2005.

Hunt gave students a key piece of writing advice: be concise and simple.

“If I don’t understand a story in the first three paragraphs the odds are I’m going to stop reading it,” Hunt said.

Hunt encouraged students to pursue journalism because it allowed writers to meet people from a variety of backgrounds.

“In journalism, everyone you meet is interesting,” said Hunt.

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015

Scraping by on D.C.’s minimum wage

Steve Monroe, a retired editor and current freelance communications professional, reads The Washington Post. Photo by Madeline Jarrard. — Steve Monroe, a retired editor and current freelance communications professional, reads The Washington Post at the Tenleytown Starbucks. Photo by Madeline Jarrard.

Jacob Atkins, 24, has worked several minimum wage jobs and participated in a service program called AmeriCorps to put himself through several colleges including American University in Washington D.C.

A Maine native, Atkins has been living in Washington D.C. for a few years, but he believes the city’s minimum wage is not enough to live on.

“I’ve been working since I was 15 years old, so I’m pretty used to being relatively broke all the time,” Atkins said, “but learning how to still pursue my dreams and gain experiences through different jobs.”

Minimum wage workers like Atkins must work 118 hours a week to be able to afford a typical two bedroom apartment in Washington D.C., according to a recent National Low Income Housing Coalition report. That leaves many cash-strapped and unable to plan for a future.

Steve Monroe, a 66-year-old Washington D.C. native, sat at a high top table at the Tenleytown Starbucks sipping a $2 cup of coffee with a crinkled Washington Post off to the side while he talked about his own experience with minimum wage as a young man.

Monroe, a retired journalist, says his career and current freelance work means he lives a comfortable lifestyle now. He can afford his rent, take vacations and eat at upscale restaurants. But he remembers his own struggle with low-wage work and sympathizes with those now who earn the city’s hourly $10.50 minimum wage.

“I have been involved with people who were just scraping by or were on welfare or working minimum wage,” said Monroe, who noted he has done both community work and mentoring. “I’m kind of a humanitarian by nature.”

Sylvia Davis, 48, who is also a Washington D.C. native, believes wealthy people’s awareness about the income gap and the struggles of low-wage workers in D.C. is relative.

Jacob Atkins (left), 24, a rising senior at American University in Washington D.C., jokes with Dylan Liberman, a 17-year-old high school student from Manhattan.

Davis feels she’s aware because of her own humble beginning and her experience working her way through college, but she said it ultimately depends on people’s exposure and compassion.

“I think people who are spending lots of money on discretionary items sometimes can overlook folks,” Davis said. “But then there a lot of people that don’t and who are compassionate and realize that folks, they rely upon their tips, they rely upon keeping that job, and paying for their family to have food.”

Atkins, a teaching assistant for a summer communications camp in Washington, said while there are people who work minimum wage jobs for an interim period to put themselves through college, he noted there are others who rely on those jobs as adults. He feels the wage should accommodate all people.

“You need to be being paid a reasonable rate to survive because they are supporting families,” Atkins said.

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015

Fans thrilled with the U.S. Women’s World Cup triumph

US_trophy_presentation_USA_vs_Japan_2015_WWC_Final_2015-07-05(19506667982) — The United States Women’s National Team celebrates its 2015 World Cup victory in Vancouver. Photo by Ytoyoda.

Residents and tourists to Washington D.C. are pleased with the United States Women’s National Team’s triumph in this summer’s World Cup, soccer’s global championship.

The American women defeated Japan 5-2 on Sunday to capture their first World Cup title since 1999.

“I was surprised, happily surprised,” said Liz Kelaher, 48. “I didn’t expect two goals in the first few minutes.”

The U.S. scored these two goals within five minutes from kickoff and four goals in the first 16 minutes to put the game out of reach for the Japanese women in the early stages. Carli Lloyd also scored three goals in this short period of time.

Stephen Angelsmith, 33, the director of Peace Corps programs at American University’s School of International Service, said he was happy that his young daughter could see the women’s team win. He also said the win was great for all girls in America because players act as role models.

“Men’s sports and boys’ sports get so much attention, so it is great to see that the women are both successful and get attention for their achievement,” Angelsmith said.

This summer’s Women’s World Cup drew the largest total combined match attendance in tournament history, according to FIFA statistics.

Despite the large tournament attendance and large amount of TV viewers, some Americans are still talking about a gender imbalance in soccer.

Valerie Warren, 31, thinks that the TV ratings would have been higher if the U.S. men made a World Cup final.

“I think men’s sports are better advertised and marketed in terms of the media,” Warren said.

Kelaher also thinks there would have been a ratings difference.

“Men’s sports in general is a higher audience,” Kelaher said.

Americans took one negative aspect away from the game: the team’s defense.

The American back line allowed two goals. Yuki Ogimi, a Japanese forward, broke the U.S. back line in the 27th minute and Julie Johnston scored an own goal in the 52nd minute. These two goals gave the Japanese a lifeline until Tobin Heath scored and put the game out of reach for good in the 54th minute.

“We could have been tighter at the back in defense,” said 38-year-old Amber Clark.

However, Mitch Kieffer, 51, feels like this was not a huge problem and the United States’ big final victory is still generating positive vibes throughout the metropolitan area.

“You can’t complain,” Kieffer said. “They won.”

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015

Books aren’t going anywhere at AU’s Bender Library

Computer stations near print reference materials at American University's Bender Library. — Computer stations near print reference materials at American University’s Bender Library. The library offers 50 computer stations. American University library. Photo by Nima Padash

Even in our technologically advanced society, both American University students and professors think books are here to stay.

At AU’s Bender Library, Alyse Minter, 27, a librarian, said books will never go away, but on a recent July morning in the basement level five people were plugged in with print material nowhere in sight.

AU’s Bender Library offers 50 computers and plenty of spaces to plug in a laptop or smartphone, but it’s the permanent print and reference collection that really stands out to Minter.

“Some information is only in books,” Minter said.

Information is everywhere and people have to preserve and maintain this information, which would be hard to do on the computer, Minter continued.

Books have a kinesthetic feedback which you can not get from a computer, said Minter. Because of this, people learn better from books in her opinion.

Dr. Pilar McKay, 32, a professor of public communication at AU’s School of Communication, encourages technology in the classroom.

“I will use technology whenever I can,” McKay said.

Although many people think computers in the classroom may be a distraction, McKay disagrees. She uses and loves Twitter in class and focuses lectures around Power Point presentations and videos.

A 2011 Pew Research Center poll agreed.

“The average reader of e-books says she has read 24 books…in the past 12 months, compared with an average of 15 books by a non-e-book consumer,” the Pew report stated.

Audrey Schreiber, 21, prefers pen and paper.

“Laptops are a distraction,” said Schreiber, a rising senior at AU, noting she has seen students in class going on social media sites or texting.

Schreiber would buy online materials and print those out if it was cheaper than the book, but still prefers a hard copy.

“I feel like I learn better from paper than computer,” Schreiber said.

In a 2014 article in the journal Teacher Librarian, researcher Shannon Hyman wrote that to develop lifelong readers, students must be able to access a wide range of formats and materials.

“Children must see books as a friend and be surrounded by and immersed in print at home and at school,” Hyman wrote.

Minter agreed.

“We shouldn’t love books or hate computers, they should work together,” Minter said.