School Budget Cuts
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In Other Words is part of the Digital Natives project, a CPB funded partnership between Youth Radio and KQED Public Media.
Tech-Savvy Teens Bring Families Up To Speed
Can you imagine not having a computer or no high-speed internet? It's 2009—a year where people are geared up with the hottest gadgets, but despite that there are those who still live in the shadow of technology. A recent study by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that more than half of Latino households have no computer and more than half have no high-speed internet. Today on the California Report, a group of tech-savvy teenagers spend their time bringing families up to speed.
Listeners Mourn Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson continues to dominate headlines. On the California Report and on Forum, music columnist Steve Hochman talks about the enduring legacy of pop star Michael Jackson. Hochman says that while Jackson isn't linked to one era like The Beatles were, people still feel a personal connection to his music. According to Hochman, Jackson forced MTV be more open to African-American viewers interested in R&B and soul and to cultivate a more multicultural audience as a whole. Listeners share their own memories of listening to Michael Jackson.
Google created a map of fan memorials that have sprouted up across the country.
Here at YMI, staff and students reminisced as well through audio, video, and personal commentary.
The Current Landscape for LGBT Rights
On Forum today, guests commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots — a turning point in the LGBT struggle for recognition and justice. We look back at this historical uprising and examine how the current landscape has been transformed by the work of LGBT activists nationwide. On YMI, Rachel Krantz focuses on the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy through the lens of one young man who experienced it.
A Class Idea?
On Forum today, a discussion about saving community college courses. San Francisco City College chancellor Don Griffin is proposing that private donors sponsor classes in exchange for naming rights. Trustees of the college were irked at the proposal. What do you think? Is it ethical to auction off the name of a course to the highest bidder? Or should courses be saved regardless of the ethical implications? After all, isn't the most important outcome that students get an education?
Fathers Near and Far
In the days leading up to Father's Day, we can't help but think about the many kinds of fathers out there. California Report focuses on military dads and the sacrifices they make as part of their national service. YMI's Leon Sykes focuses on how Father's Day is (or is not ) celebrated in his community, where single mother-run households are prevelant. Some of his friends are fathers now and that has forced him to change some of his perceptions.
Other members of YMI staff talk about their experiences with their fathers in this Father's Day tribute video.
Obama Press Conference: Iran and Health Care
Obama's press conference dominated the news today. On Forum, we listened live to Obama discuss the economy, Iran, and health care. He called the video of Iranian Neda Agha Soltan getting shot, "heartbreaking". Obama encouraged those who are concerned about the price of reforming health care to consider the cost if we don't reform health care now. With health care premiums rising faster than most Americans' wages, Obama talked about paying for healthcare by redistributing money already in the system. We'll see just how his plan unfolds in the coming months. Commentators on Forum, called the President's rhetoric "feisty, funny.. pointed".
Here at YMI, we're also taking a look at the issues Obama mentioned. If you're late to the events in Iran, check out our primer. Want to get to know your representatives? This week, YMI's Denise Tejada spoke with Barbara Lee about health care and youth. Lee stressed the need for sex education and for young people to learn how to lead healthy lifestyles.
Spotlight on Gay Rights
This morning, Forum guests answer the question – is Obama's honeymoon over? In recent weeks, Obama's liberal supporters say he hasn't moved quickly enough on a variety of issues including gay rights, ending the war and saving the environment. Forum guest Geoff Kors is the executive director of Equality California, a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California. Kors decries Obama's inaction on issues once mentioned as top priorities during his campaign. He says members of the LGBT community are being denied very basic rights and that Obama has the opportunity to speak forcibly on these issues. Kors would like to see more action on the 'don’t ask don’t tell' policy, employment discrimination, and on repealing the defense of marriage act.
YMI is focusing on gay rights this week, leading up to San Francisco's Gay Pride parade this Sunday.We hope to address some of the issues Kors raises and also showcase stories on gay culture. For more,check out our preview of the week.
New Media Models
On Forum today, guests discuss the future of media.While traditional media outlets continue to lose audience and revenue, nascent journalism models are emerging. Guests point to Asia and Europe, where cell phones are already a main source of media consumption. Will the smart phone be a way for news organizations to finally make money? What do you think news organizations should look like — hyper-local twitter bursts, one mammoth high-quality news website, social networking sites with news sections, or something else? As the discussion on Forum points out, it is an exciting time to be a young journalist, because you get to invent new media.
Jean Quan on the Oakland Budget
City Council member (and possible mayoral candidate?!) Jean Quan breaks down the latest changes to the Oakland budget. The city has close to a $100 million deficit. Here, Quan talks about which Oakland jobs and services will be cut. Additionally, Quan asks for youth feedback on a controversial issue regarding youth jobs in parks. How do you think a community should respond to tough financial times?
How to Get Around Blocked Sites in Iran
YMI has been following Iran's post-election chaos through an ongoing blog of twitter feeds and a day-by-day breakdown of what's going on in Iran.
UPDATED: 4:12 PSDT
RT from Iran: MOUSAVI ASKS THE WORLD TO PARTICIPATE IN SEA OF GREEN IN ALL CAPITAL CITIES THIS SUNDAY – #Iranelection
RT : MOUSAVI APPEALS TO THE WORLD TO PARTICIPATE IN SEA OF GREEN IN IN ALL CAPITAL CITIES THIS SUNDAY – #Iranelection RT RT RT – confirmed
RT from Iran – confirmed-the wife of Saeed Rajaie, a prominent Iranian wartime martyr, has been arrested while praying in Qom-#Iranelection
On Thursday, Iranian protestors wore black to mourn those who lost their lives in the post-election violence. The march started at the Iranian capital and made its way into the streets. The march was the largest protest since Friday, when the government announced that Ahmadinejad won the presidential election. @oxfordgirl from Twitter says:
“This has been very peaceful and calm protest. As long gvt keeps calm nothing will happen FP #iranelection #gr88 #tehran”
Moussavi, Ahmadinejad’s main opponent, is expected to deliver a sermon during Friday prayers at Tehran University.
YouTube is one of the many sites now blocked in Iran. According to @newtonian64 , there is another place for people to go to.
“#IranElection YouTube Blocked in Iran? Here's How to Circumvent an Internet Proxy http://tinyurl.com/ndus84”
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