Teen Observer Archive

July 6, 2015July 7, 2015

National Museum of African American History and Culture to open next year

Museum Picture — National Museum of African American History and Culture under construction at the corner of 14th Street and Constitution Avenue on the National Mall. Photo by Abigail Hadfield.

Tourists interviewed on the National Mall about the ongoing construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, set to open in 2016, were unaware of the museum but enthusiastic about its opening.

The majority of those interviewed knew very little about the museum or its construction, and had only learned about it after seeing the construction and signs surrounding the museum.

Given the recent racial tensions in the U.S., many agreed that the building of the museum was timely and vital to understanding African American culture, both in the past and present. Some believed that the museum is significant regardless of the racial tensions today.

“If it was approved to be built almost 10 years ago, it shouldn’t need current events to be important,” said Liv Willis, 17.

Brian McCauley, 37, a future tour guide at the museum, explained how it will be organized and how it will highlight heroes in African American history and their untold stories.

The plans to build the museum were drawn up in 2006, making the construction and opening of the museum a 10 year project. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution, and is being built on the National Mall, located between the National Museum of American History and the Washington Monument at the corner of 14th Street and Constitution Avenue.

The museum itself will have eight levels with five above ground and three below.

The facade on the outside of the museum, called the Corona, is described as “a representation of traditional African architecture using modern materials,” as stated on the project website. The museum’s website describes the museum as “a centerpiece venue for ceremonies and performances, as well as a primary exhibition space for African American history and culture.”

The new exhibition, “Through the African American Lens,” is the first exhibit at the museum, and shows “the personal and intimate narratives of various families, organizations and individuals spanning the Revolutionary era to the present,” according to the museum’s website.

For the residents and tourists, the museum will be an important fixture in a prominent location.

McCauley emphasized the importance of the museum by adding, “DC is an African American city.”

July 6, 2015July 9, 2015

Campus healthy living accessible but not always desirable

Pizza display at American University's campus dining hall — Pizza display at American University’s campus dining hall, Terrace Dining Room. Photo courtesy of AU.

American University students provided mixed opinions on the selection of healthy options on campus everyday and agreed that they must work hard to stay fit.

Students find that they have to be motivated to eat healthy on campus because the options are mainly unhealthy.

“The healthy options are not right in front of you so you have to try to eat healthy,” Katie Wolf-Rodda,19, said.

Caroline Dowden, 18, considers herself a part of the group of students who go above and beyond to eat healthy. She believes that you have to get creative to eat healthy meals on campus.

Freshii is the best place to eat healthy, according to AU students. It offers green wraps which they can fill with kale, spinach, tofu, falafel and quinoa. The eatery advertises itself as having fast and healthy options.

Freshii’s most popular Pangoa salad contains avocado, brown rice, grape tomatoes, black beans, cheddar corn and spicy sauce. It may sound healthy but it still contains 770 calories, according to Freshii’s website.

AU students agree that the campus seems to be health conscious with many gym goers and joggers but the food choices do not reflect that mentality.

Other places to eat on campus include, Elevation Burger, Global Fresh, Bene Pizzeria and Subway.

“It is way easier to eat unhealthy for sure,” Anna Bomomo, 20, said.

At college the amount of fast food surrounding students can make it hard to eat healthy.

The “freshman 15” is a phrase that has been coined in the US to describe the weight gain that first year college students experience when they begin college.

“Thank God I didn’t get it,” Dowden said.

July 5, 2015July 7, 2015

Technology: Is it really doing us good?

Courtesy, Alexander Zemlianichenko, Associated Press

Washington D.C. residents this week offered their opinions on the question of whether technology has helped or harmed society.

The question of whether technology has gone too far remains a hotly debated topic, from the rise of social media to the debate on cloning.

Joe Gilligar, 21, is an intern working at Congress. He expressed that even though the internet is a useful tool, people have become too reliant on it.

When asked if he was a social media addict, he said, “I’m pretty sure everyone is.”

Peoples’ technology addiction is widely discussed. Gilligar pointed out that even casual tech users tend to go into a panic when separated from their phones.

Despite the amount of criticism modern technology gets from older generations, the use of the internet has been on a steady rise for all age groups. Even those who criticize modern technology sometimes find themselves users of it.

Mari Andrews, 28, felt that overall, modern technology has helped people.

“I think it’s really good for empathy and understanding of other people,” she said.

Andrews suggested that any form of technology will have its uses and its problems, and it’s the uses that should be focused on.

One thing that many people agree with is that social media is capable of changing peoples’ personalities. These changes are usually characterized as negative ones, including laziness, arrogance, rudeness, and a lack of social activity.

American University student Eric Carlson, 26, pointed out that some kinds of modern technology are often overlooked, such as those within the medical field.

“I’d much rather have a heart attack now than in 1995,” he says.

As an international student, Carlson finds modern communication techniques particularly useful.

“We can communicate overseas,” he said with great enthusiasm.

Technology is used to make many jobs far easier. Many people feel that the internet has revolutionized many jobs and made them far easier.

For many people, imagining the world without the internet has become difficult, perhaps even impossible.

July 5, 2015July 7, 2015

People respond to journalists’ ethics

It’s protected by the First Amendment. It’s helped take down a president. But, average citizens often do not know what being a reporter entails.

Some interviewed this month in Washington D.C. shared their thoughts and opinions on the topic of ethics in journalism, providing some insight about how everyday citizens see the world of U.S. media.

Version 2 — Newspaper boxes in Tenleytown. Photo by Sarah Plemmons.

Journalists must be familiar with the Society of Professional Journalist’s Code of Ethics, a list of principles explaining how to ethically perform the job of a journalist, or their organization’s own code. The preamble states that “Public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy.” The four principles are to seek the truth and report it, to minimize harm, to act independently, and to be accountable.

It is required that journalists abide by these rules in order to produce reliable content for media consumers.

According to consumers, writing and publishing the truth defines ethical journalism.

Jack Gibson, 20, emphasized the importance of “providing accurate information without bias.”

Michelle Nowak, 19, however, thinks bias is permissible because it shows personality in writing. According to her, “People have different truths.”

But should these truths come out in a journalist’s writing?

People had varying opinions on what they thought of the integrity of their own sources of media.

Tony Corbel, 74, a British native, regularly uses the BBC, Britain’s publicly-financed broadcast network. He trusts the network completely and has for most of his life.

Cindy Lee, 56, thinks her stations, CNN and Fox, are “probably as reliable as you can be.”

Others, though, do not solely rely on just one or two news stations.

By having numerous news sources, one avoids the risk of getting information that is biased, people said. Many consumers use multiple sources such as BBC, CNN, The New York Times, and various social media sites. They feel that though no one can entirely avoid bias, using multiple news sources makes their news more accurate.

“Generally they’re writing to appeal to an audience because they’ve got to get viewers on the internet and people to read the papers, so I think most–not every, but most–will cater to a specific audience to some extent,” said Aaron Rowell, 23.

This practice of dramatizing stories to make them more interesting is called “yellow journalism,” and is highly scorned in media today and violates the first tenet of the SPJ Code.

“I think that is not okay,” Lee said. “I think whatever happens, we need to reflect what happens and not dramatize it.”

Journalists are constantly evaluated by each other and the public to follow the Code of Ethics. To not report the whole truth would be devastating, yet it is crucial that journalists honor the privacy and safety of their subjects.

“I guess they’re just trying to do their job,” Corbel said. “But there’s a limit to what you do.”

July 5, 2015July 7, 2015

Summer restaurant hours aren’t cutting the mustard

American University students said summer food offerings and services aren’t cutting the mustard.

Customers wait in line at the American University Starbucks. Photo by Madeline Jarrard.

Stores including Starbucks, Capital One Bank, and Megabytes Cafe are only open during the weekdays. Starbucks is open from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., while the Eagle’s Nest is open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Subway is open from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Tom Page, 21, believed the store hours were a disadvantage for students that work on campus.

“If I just got off work I wouldn’t be able to grab something to eat,” Page said.

Jayne Yoo, 29, is one of those students.

“For me it closes too early,” Yoo said. “If I want to get a snack I have to go off campus.”

American University's Subway restaurant offers shortened hours this summer. Photo by Geena Provenzano. — American University’s Subway restaurant offers shortened hours this summer. Photo by Geena Provenzano.

Students also proposed that additional stores such as Chick Fil A, Chipotle, and McDonald’s be added to campus.

“I remember they used to have a McDonald’s on campus. It was open later because of the way the store operated,” said Derek Allen, age 20. “If you were showing up late from a party on a weekend it’d be open.”

Patrick Kavanagh, 20 wished the campus offered additional sit down restaurants. He wanted another place to meet other than the campus dining hall.

As for the employees, many believed that the store hours were convenient. There aren’t enough customers for it to be worth the extra time.

“For the summer it’s not that busy, so the hours are based on business,” said Subway employee Tiffany James, 31.

July 5, 2015July 7, 2015

Do Americans appreciate the Fourth of July?

Fireworks explode over the National Mall in Washington D.C. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

In the days before the Fourth of July, many Americans begin to gear up for the celebration which this year marked the 239th anniversary of America’s independence.

Whether it’s eating hamburgers or seeing a fireworks show, many Americans like to party on the special day.

“It’s definitely a focal point of the summer,” said Chris Morgan, 25, from Gaithersburg, Maryland.

As of July 2, Morgan planned to party with his friends, one of which will be meeting him in Pennsylvania with his fellow hikers from the Appalachian Trail. Morgan has many Fourth of July memories from previous years as well, including a glow-stick party in his neighbor’s pool and a firework show over Camden Yards in Baltimore.

There’s no doubt that Americans do their share of partying on the Fourth of July. But is this partying aimed towards the right cause? Is there appropriate reverence for the actions of America’s forefathers?

Buddy Bonner, 48, said the answer is “no.”

“I think we got a gross departure from appreciation with what our freedoms are,” Bonner said. “It’s more than likely just viewed as another day off from work.”

Bonner even admitted that he might be one of those people who does not hold the Fourth of July in high enough regard.

For some, the lack of appreciation of the Fourth of July is rooted in a lack of education.

“What happened exactly only the Fourth of July?” said Kevin Quinto, a 16-year-old from North Carolina. “If you asked 10 people at least five of them wouldn’t know.”

For Francesca Coyne, 18, of Pennsylvania, the holiday brings people together.

“Its really cool to see everybody get together and appreciate something,” Coyne said.

“It’s very rare that you can get a group silent and appreciate something,” Coyne later said.

Marsel Ganeycv, 18, an international student, said the Fourth of July is a worthy celebration for the independence of the country.

“I have a t-shirt with stars and people say ‘I have the same t-shirt,'” Ganeycv said. “They’re all so friendly.”

Like Coyne, Ganeycv sees the holiday as a way to bring people together.

“When you see the fireworks, something is happening in your soul,” Ganeycv said. “You feel that you’re apart of the whole crowd.”

July 5, 2015July 15, 2015

2016 election already on voters’ minds

Standing between the 56 granite columns of the World War II Memorial donning shorts and a t-shirt, David Johnson, 31, toured the site with his wife and parents.

Sixteen months from the 2016 presidential election tourists like Johnson already are looking ahead to the barrage of political advertisements, speeches and debates that will shape the next year and a half. Regardless of political party, issues are diverse and the election season is expected to drag on.

“I would hope that they focus on the real issues rather than the crap that goes through the 24-hour news cycle,” said Johnson, who counts issues including net neutrality and money in politics as top election priorities.

Many citizens feel the need to elect a candidate who will focus on these issues and others.

Gregory Pratt, 27, said he would like to see the candidates address student debt, while Bianca Perez, 30, is looking for greater focus on the economy, especially for middle and lower classes.

“I hope people don’t vote based on party lines but instead on what the candidates have to say,” Pratt said.

Perez, however, had a different vision for the outcome of the election.

“I hope that we can get a candidate that can continue the progression of our country,” Perez said. “A lot of steps have been taken towards more acceptance in our nation, and I hope whoever the new candidate is can continue in that path.”

While most voters have high expectations and are passionate about the candidates’ talking points, some are skeptical and even indifferent.

Angel Cleves, 44, said that she doesn’t “really trust a lot of politicians. I guess. So that’s my concern: what they say they’re going to do, they do.”

American University graduate Logan Combest-Friedman was not keeping up with the election developments.

“I don’t have many expectations,” Combest-Friedman said. “It’s the same thing every time.”

July 4, 2015July 7, 2015

Sex education differs nationwide

Nearly half of U.S. public schools offer sex education with others prohibiting it or teaching abstinence-only.

While some states like Arizona allow schools to teach sexual education unless a student is permitted by a guardian to opt out, many schools such as those in Tennessee prohibit sexual education to be taught unless it has been approved by both the state’s board of education and the local school board.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures website, “22 states and the District of Columbia require public schools teach sex education.”

Many schools incorporate sexual education into their wellness and physical education courses while others have courses specifically designed to teach sexuality.

“In middle school we had a class called Explore,” said Bretton Dempsey, 19, from Mattawan, Michigan. “You didn’t have to take it in high school unless you chose to take a class like that.”

In schools like Jed Rosenberg’s, 14, in Bethesda, Maryland, students are taught the mechanics of sex. He said his school informed him of the basics of sex, including “reproductive organs, what they do, the different diseases, how to put the condom on.”

But Marcus Robinson, 36, went to high school in Eufaula, Alabama, which he described as “conservative.”

He explained how the school had brought in people with HIV disease to let them “know it was real.” Robinson said that his school focused primarily on sexually transmitted diseases instead of the mechanics of intercourse.

“I was in med school for the Air Force,” Robinson remembered. “It was the first time I had heard a lot of that sexual stuff.”

With so many methods of teaching sexuality, there is debate over which approach works best to prevent teenage pregnancy in the United States.

Robinson said, “They should teach more. Not just sex, but self-esteem…the importance of having a life…it would make them wait to have a child at such a young age.”

July 4, 2015July 7, 2015

National Mall visitors respond to NASA’s New Horizons

Visitors of the National Mall in Washington D.C. on Monday expressed their opinions about life in space after hearing about the photos NASA’s New Horizons captured.

New Horizons captured photographs of Pluto showing spots.

Xzavier Jones, 18, from Atlanta, Georgia, thought that the mysterious spots could be oceans.

“It would be kinda strange,” Jones said.

Jones thought that fish or other aquatic animals could be living in the oceans. However, they would breathe differently due to a water unlike what is found on Earth. Jones believes that the creatures should be studied, even if it involves capturing them.

Jones said that humans will be living in space 100 years from now. He shares NASA’s interest in space exploration.

Xzavier Jones in front of the Washington Monument

Ann Thorn, 59, from Nacogdoches, Texas, believes that the dots found on Pluto could be either rock or mud fields.

“You never know,” Thorn said.

Thorn thought that life could be on other planets. She said that future generations will not have to live in space, but that people need to take care of Earth.

Thorn watched NASA’s shuttles launch when she lived in Florida. In Texas, she has worked with the local police to document and clean up pieces of aircraft that landed in her backyard.

Due to her recent knowledge about New Horizons, Thorn plans to follow new developments in the story.

“I just hope we don’t mess it up,” Thorn said.

Amy Longstreath, 47, was undecided about what the spots are.

She cannot prove or disprove that life in space exists. If there is a planet that can sustain human life, Longstreath believes that it is necessary to emigrate there.

Longstreath said that the Democratic and Republican Parties need to work together to encourage conservation of the environment before other nations get involved. If life is found on other planets, it should only be observed.

“Anything is possible,” Longstreath said.

July 4, 2015July 7, 2015

Because People are People- NSLC Edition

From June 28 to July students flooded the American University campus for the second session of the Journalism, Film, and Media Arts session of the NSLC program. Here are some of their stories:

“My dream is to become a best-selling novelist and write a book that has an impact on everyone who reads it.” Abby Hadfield, 16

Coming from rural Pennsylvania, this rising high school junior has awaited the opportunity to attend the Journalism, Film, and Media Arts leadership conference since the arrival of an email in December 2014.

Abby Hadfield is attending the program as a student in the Professional Newswriting class.

While her attendance may show her experience is with news writing; however, her true dream is to “make it” as a novelist or a creative writer.

“Journalism is just a more practical form of writing,” Hadfield said.

“It’s really hard to make it as a novelist,” Hadfield said later in a brief interview just after the start of her first workshop session.

Beyond the classroom, she is involved with the school newspaper, the school literary Magazine, Girl Up, Girls Room and Interact Club.

Hadfield’s passions truly translate into her dreams for the future.

“My dream is to become a best-selling novelist and write a book that has an impact on everyone who reads it” Hadfield said.

“I would like to live in Mexico and help my country move forward as a leader.”

~Marina de la Sierra- 16

This student is one of many international students at the leadership conference and has traveled from Mexico to be a part of the leadership conference taking place from June 28 to July 8.

Marina de la Sierra found the program through her American school that encourages the students to look for opportunities to study in the United States.

“I got interested in it because I like writing a lot and I saw there was a journalism program,” de la Sierra said.

Journalism was not a career she had considered before the camp and she wanted to gain some experience.

Her openness to this opportunity has been allowing her to gain whatever might benefit her in the future.

De la Sierra is looking into working for the UN and help those who are impoverished and uneducated in the future.

She views human trafficking as a major world issue and is looking to alleviate it in the future.

“I would like to live in Mexico and help my country move forward as a leader,” she said.

“Knowing that everyone has a different mind for a different reason.”

Breezy Culberson, 21 (Not Pictured)

This 21-year-old office staff person of a leadership camp at American University has truly made the most of her opportunities and is continuing her education to attain her own dream.

Breezy Culberson works at the NSLC office and is responsible for some of the coordination and teamwork it takes to pull together such a big opportunity for hundreds of high school students.

Culberson chose to attend the Journalism and Mass Media conference in Berkley when invited, became a Psychology major in college and is inspired by the work she has a degree to do.

When asked how the conference benefited her, she said, “It looked good on my resume.”

The leadership experience was definitely of value to her as a student.

The discovery of her personality tendency, a koala, gave her a better direction as to her college choice and future career.

In the next six months, Culberson will be going back to school to continue her education and earn a master’s in psychology.

Her main reason for her fascination with psychology, “knowing that everyone has a different mind for a different reason.”

“You know if I could just play that, I would be really satisfied.”

Michael Silverglade, 17 (Not Pictured)

His experience with the leadership conference began with his sister’s involvement four years ago and now he is gaining experience in the field he enjoys, music.

Michael Silverglade’s letter came to invite him to the camp in December 2014, but his interest in playing musical instruments certainly came before that.

“In elementary school, I played trumpet… it was legit but it wasn’t very good,” he said.

He started playing trumpet in his middle school band and only expanded his involvement as he moved forward in school, adding euphonium and bass by his high school years.

He started self-teaching bass in his freshman year after he saw one of the seniors playing and started listened to more music.

He thought, “You know if I could just play that, I would be really satisfied.”

Now, Silverglade is in his school’s symphonic band, the school jazz band and a rock band made up of a drummer singer and himself on bass.

In the future, he hopes to be able to work on the business end of music by producing it and to continue playing bass.

“It’s just something I really enjoy,” Silverglade said.