February 2010 Oaktown Teen Times by Beatrice Motamedi

Oakland's Teen Newspaper

'bones' tragic, honest

on being latina in a mostly black school

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Tweeting, texting our Lives away?

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Oaktown Teen Times News & Views of Teens in Oakland, California

February 2010

Volume 3, Issue 3

Oakland seeks injunction on northside gang Gang members would be banned from many activities in 100 blocks near Telegraph Ave. CAROLYN SAEPHAN Media Academy

photo by Julie Ortega / Unity High

Save the Children Despite new safety measures, crossing guard Brian Taylor says speeding cars are still putting students at risk at an intersection where an 11-year-old Oakland student was struck and killed in October.

Dangerous crossing gets light Traffic project fast tracked after Frick Middle School student killed in hit-and-run at 64th Ave. & Foothill

January email, Brooks said that she expects the stoplight to be installed “within the next six months.” Despite the news, the new stoplight won’t erase the sadness many still feel about the death of Alana Williams on Oct. 16. CAROLINA BURCIAGA & STEPHANIE GONZALEZ Unity High School It was an ordinary morning for many students in Oakland: Wake up, get ready and head out to school. tudents and teachers in East Oakland are But for many Frick Middle School students, life breathing a sigh of relief at news that changed forever as they witnessed the tragic death of City Council has approved a new stopa classmate. light for a dangerous intersection where The accident happened at 8:08 a.m., when Wilan 11-year-old Frick Elementary student liams was arriving at Frick, where she was in sixth was killed in a hit-and-run collision in October. grade. Stewart was crossing the intersection of Councilwoman Desley Brooks said that she was Foothill Boulevard and 64th Avenue, when a darkable to secure the funding for the stoplight, to be See STOPLIGHT page 3 installed at 64th Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. In a

District adds 750 surveillance cameras Security measure praised by many; some feel it could violate student privacy FUEY SAECHAO Media Academy

If you are on a high school or middle school campus in the Oakland Unified School District, you are being watched. That's because the district has been putting 750 new video cameras at 25 middle and high schools across the city, under a $3 million security upgrade program. You will be watched by people on your campus, the police and people at the downtown district offices. You might even be watched on computer monitors at district officials' homes. The U.S. Department of Justice gave $1.5 million for the cameras and the district is using modernization funds for the rest, according to news reports. The idea for the district to put

more cameras on campus is to reduce vandalism and other crimes. These cameras are also on people who might be doing harm to you or to your personal belongings. Fremont Federation of High Schools is one of the campuses getting new cameras; about 17 cameras will be added. These will be added to 32 working cameras already on campus, according to School Safety Officer Tiffany Couch, who said she is very happy to have more electronic eyes. “It was a big request of mine,” she said. The supervisor of Fremont Federation's school safety officers, Al Rhodes, agreed with Couch. When asked if the cameras were a good idea, he answered: “Yes, yes, yes!” Couch said there are six officers on campus and the cameras will be “more eyes.” One concern that school safety officers have however, is that the dis-

"It's not an invasion of privacy. In school, you do not expect to have privacy." – Emiliano Sanchez

Assistant Principal Architecture Academy

trict may use the cameras to justify cutting its staff. “Cameras can alert us to the problems, but they can't respond to them,” said Rhodes. Although, there will be more cameras installed in public areas, there will not be any cameras placed in bathrooms, classrooms or offices. See CAMERAS page 2

Old school discipline takes back seat EXCEL students able to avoid suspensions through restorative justice system PAMELA TAPIA EXCEL High

It was a “bad look" that began it. Two girls, both freshmen, gossiped about each other and then one day in class, it blew up. They fought — “a real altercation in class,” says Donta Jackson, a freshman at EXCEL High School. In another school, they might have been sent to the

principal's office, landed in youth court, or even been suspended. Instead, at EXCEL, they agreed to a new program called “Restorative Justice.” For Jackson, it was an occasion to try out skills that he learned previously at Cole Middle School, where Restorative Justice was launched in the Oakland School District in 2006. “First you have to find out how, when, and why the conflict started” said Jackson, who went through intensive training at Cole as a “keeper of space

in a Peacemaking Circle,” the person who runs the process. That day, the two girls at EXCEL gathered in a "conflict circle” with classmates. They agreed to guidelines and values: truth, honesty, compassion, respect, and speaking from the heart. They used “a talking piece,” in this case “a triangular necklace that makes a lot of noise.” The person holding the piece was the only one allowed to See JUSTICE page 3

Oakland will throw a new weapon at members of one of its most notorious gangs — an injunction to stop them from engaging in gang activity in a 100block “safety zone.” City Attorney John Russo filed a lawsuit for the injunction last week against the North Side Oakland Gang, which police blame for seven homicides in 2008 and another seven in 2009, including the murder of Oakland Technical High School student Desiree Davis in September. “This gang has terrorized our community, intimidated witnesses and recruited children to their criminal enterprise,” Russo wrote in a press release. “They are part of a malevolent force that has crippled our city for decades and continues to hold Oakland back today.” If granted by a judge, the injunction will declare North Side Oakland a public nuisance and prohibit certain activities within the safety zone — about 100 blocks between I/580, Emeryville, Berkeley, and Telegraph Avenue, according to the press release. Oakland Tech is in the zone. Under the requested injunction, 19 identified members of the gang would no longer be able to associate with each other in the zone. They also will be unable to possess guns or other dangerous weapons or tools for graffiti or vandalism. The injunction would also ban them from recruiting new members in the zone, trespassing and intimidating witnesses. They would have to follow all laws, including those involving curfews and drugs. If they violate any part of the injunction, they would face a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Some students at Fremont Federation of High Schools who heard of the injunction were skeptical that it would do much good. “If they focus on one gang, it will work, but how are they going to stop all the other gangs?” asked Media Academy junior Brittany Jackson. However, Miguel De Luna, an Oakland police officer assigned to Fremont Federation, thinks differently. “It will help the gang violence,” he said. “I don’t think it will stop everything, but it will slow it down.”

EXCEL debaters to represent Bay in Empire State DAVID McNEAL EXCEL High

Two EXCEL High School students — Tanesha Walker and Daemiion Yaphet — have qualified to participate in the Chase National Tournament in New York City from April 23 to April 25. See DEBATE page 7

photo by Kendra Johnson / Cal Prep

Great debaters Daemiion Yaphet and Tanesha Walker prepare their arguments.

News

February 2010

Oaktown Teen Times

Full-body scans good — for others Poll at Media Academy reveals hopes, fears of new airport security

photo by Efren Rosas / Unity High

speak to power Unity High juniors traveled to Washington, D.C., on Dec. 31 with the Close Up program. They met teens from across the country and visited Congress and the Lincoln Memorial. They also participated in a mock congress. Students learned how to get more involved in politics and make their voices heard. Left to right: Liliana Rivera, Virginia Barragan, teacher Damon Grant, Raquel Martinez, Alex Uribe, Ana Castellanos. — Efren Rosas, Unity High

“

CAMERAS: Some criticize spending from page 1 Others don't believe the cameras will help much at all. “I don't think it's going to stop anything from happening,” said Seng So, site organizer for Youth Together. “I don't think they need to put more money on cameras; we should be putting it into classes, like books, youth resources and after school programs.” Bunthea Em, a senior at College Preparatory and

Architecture Academy, is also doubtful the cameras will make a difference.“People are still going to get robbed,” he said. “We are going to feel watched everywhere we go.” While many students think that more cameras are an invasion of privacy, many teachers and principals think differently. “It's not an invasion of privacy," said Emiliano Sanchez, Architecture Academy vice principal. “In school, you do not expect to have privacy.”

had packed into his underwear. Other passengers and the airline crew tackled him and all 278 passengers got off the plane safely, but the incident LESTER FINNEY Media Academy changed the way Americans will fly in the future. Students are glad the govSecurity experts believe ernment is starting to do fullthat machines that can scan body scans of airline passenthrough the clothes of airline gers in reaction to a Christmas passengers could prevent that Day bomb scare, but say they kind of danger. But others, like would not like to have their Tabarez, call such screening an own bodies scanned. invasion of privacy. “It's private — my body,” Usually, security guards sit said Yesenia Tabarez, a sopho- in another room and watch a more at Media Academy. screen that shows the passenShe was one of 47 Fremont ger's whole body, but not the Federation students polled by face, to make sure the pasthe Green & Gold newspaper senger is not trying to sneak in January about heightened anything hazardous or explosecurity measures in American sive onto plane. airports. Sixty-eight percent According to Time magaof the students questioned zine, the Transportation said they were okay with the Security Administration (TSA) government doing the scans; already has 40 full-body scanthe same number said it would ners at 19 airports but plans to make America safer. have nearly 900 by 2014. However, almost 75 percent TSA is a federal agency said they would not want to started in 2001 to protect the have their own bodies shown United States transportation on screens at airport security. systems and to make sure air Full-body scans are becom- travel is safe. ing more common in airports Students have varying opinbecause of what happened on ions on whether the body scans Dec. 25 during a flight from are worth the extra security Amsterdam to Detroit. Umar they may provide. Farouk Abdulmutallab from “I’m not at the airport every Nigeria, allegedly tried to blow day, so if I get the body scan up the plane with explosives he when I go to the airport, it’s

LESTER FINNEY

body scan from tsa.gov

Too much information? TSA airport screeners see this in a fullbody scan of a male.

okay,” said Media Academy sophomore Laura Delpino. Many argued that the full body scan violates their rights. “People who were born as U.S. citizens shouldn’t have to go through the process of a full body scan,” said Media Academy junior Brittany Jackson. But others think that Americans must accept being scanned themselves if they want foreigners to be scanned. "I shouldn’t get special treatment and not get scanned if everyone else is, because then the airport is accused of racial profiling when only target some people,” said Kim Mejia, a sophomore at Media Academy.

With bake sales, blue jeans drives, Oakland teens help Haiti Oaktown Teen Times

Staff Report

Students all over Oakland have conveyed sympathy and kindness to those affected by the 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. But they’ve also taken action, raising thousands of dollars and collecting jeans, toothbrushes and other essentials to help victims. At Oakland High, the Leadership class collected a total of $916.99 from students and faculty. They donated the money to Oxfam, which describes itself as “a leading charity working to end global poverty.” In addition, Oakland High has been collecting any size or type of jeans since Feb. 9. The goal is to send 1,000 pairs of jeans to Haiti on March 1. Art teacher Jackie Marston calls the program “Jentle Jeans” because she says the pants can be gently worn. Within the first two days, Jentle Jeans collected 50 pairs of jeans, including new jeans donated by some teachers. “People only think about food and water as a necessity.” said Daniel Spinka, another art teacher who is helping students with Jentle Jeans. “We chose to pick jeans to donate because people (also) need pants in Haiti and they’re more durable.” Students at many high schools in the city turned to

food sales to raise money for Haiti. Mandela Academy held a bake sale, raising about $100. It was one of three events Fremont Federation school has held to help Haiti. Advisories also donated change in the days immediately following the earthquake and the school is holding a “silent auction. ” Unity’s Class of 2011 held a three-day breakfast sale that raised $120 and also awareness about Haiti and its disaster. “I've watched some of my advisees researching the events on their own and I can tell they are affected by the images they are seeing and the information they are learning,” said teacher Damon Grant, who helped students organize the breakfast sales. Unity junior Virginia Barragan, 17, said that she feels happy that her class is doing this for Haiti: “If it were to happen to us, I would like for someone to help.” At Skyline, several school organizations have led Haiti relief efforts. Skyline Leadership, along with several students who emmigrated to the U.S. from Haiti, established raised $80 by selling baked goods at a PTSA meeting on Feb. 16 and started a clothing and toothbrush drive to help earthquake victims. Leadership teacher Cory Henrickson said that the efforts at Skyline to help the Haitian victims would serve as a powerful learning

experience. “The kids can understand how much they have, and the reality of this world,” she said. BuildOn, a Skyline club which pledges to help impoverished countries around the world, also has been busy raising money and awareness. Club Co-president Jackie Low said the aim of club is to “highlight the real discrepancies between lifestyles in the world, in this case the privileged life in the US and the impoverished life in Haiti.” Low challenged students to donate clothes and show their support for the victims of the Haitian disaster. When Low was told about students who were hesitating to donate, believing that some of the charities set up for Haiti were scams, she responded: “Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but I believe that the victims of this disaster continue to need help, and every donation will go a long way.” For those still doubtful, she recommended donating to Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which she called “absolutely legitimate.” Lisa Lak of Oakland High School, Jason Liu of Skyline High School, Jose Alvarenga of Media Academy and Jacqueline Gonzalez of Unity High School contributed to this story.

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News

February 2010

Teachers union okays one-day strike if needed ZOE FILIPPENKO Skyline High

With negotiations stalled, members of Oakland’s teachers union voted yes on the authorization of a potential one-day strike and rejected the current contract offer on the table from the Oakland Unified School District. On Jan. 20, members of the Oakland Education Association gathered at Oakland Technical High School passed the proposal, with 94 percent agreeing to grant union leadership the power to call the protest “work action.” Under labor law, however, no strike can legally be called until the current stage of “fact finding” is declared officially over, which will likely be sometime this spring. After that, the union leadership could call a one-day strike. Although it is widely believed OUSD teachers are overworked an underpaid, the timing and motivation for this strike is a contested issue at Skyline. Teachers are working to negotiate a contract with the district that will raise their pay to levels comparable with the average salary of other Bay Area districts. The latest offer from the district was a zero percent pay raise. Most teachers support the strike

because they believe that the money is available within the district; however, it is not being given back to the teachers. “The district has gotten money from the state for the past five years covering the increase in the cost of living," explained Robin Jang, an OEA representative for Skyline. "The district receives a 4 percent yearly increase in state funds, yet none of this money has gone to the teachers. Instead the district pays for extra administrators and consultants. Teachers seem to be their last priority.” According to Jang, OUSD is the lowest-paying district in the Bay Area, even though the district is very large and is known for having a more difficult set of students to teach and manage. According to OUSD spokesperson Troy Flint, the district is "hopeful a settlement can be reached without a strike." However, Flint added, "we're realistic about the decision (that teachers made to authorize a strike). We know that a work stoppage is the main form of leverage that any labor union has, so we wouldn't expect OEA to eliminate that option at this stage." Skyline's junior class president, Sydney Paderna, pointed out that “most teachers dip out of their own pockets

from page 1

Castlemont students complain new safety measure leaves them without enough time to eat DeVonna Atkins & Ameriah Hayes

photo by DeVonna Atkins / CBITS

Cortez Wilson just loves the food at Smokey Lee’s, located at 82nd Street and MacArthur Boulevard. As a freshman at nearby Castlemont Business and Information Technology High School, he used to eat there often. Unfortunately, Wilson won’t be eating lunch at Smokey Lee’s anytime soon, thanks to a new policy that prohibits students from leaving the Castlemont campus at lunchtime. As of Nov. 30, no students can leave campus at lunch. Students who do may be suspended. The new policy was created after a Dewey Academy student was shot in October at the Mini Mart at 88th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard. Like Smokey Lee's, the Mini Mart is popular with students. “I miss the chicken (at Lee's),” said Wilson. “It’s so good.” Principals back the change. “I supported closed campus when it was proposed,” said CBITS Principal Susan Ryan. “I was concerned about the students’ safety during school." Castlemont is home to three schools, including CBITS, Leadership Preparatory and East Oakland School of the Arts (EOSA). Matin Abdel-Qawi, principal of EOSA, said that the new policy may reduce the number of students who get mugged or “pocket checked” when off campus, along with after-lunch tardies. “I think it’s working and worth it,” Abdel-Qawi said. However, students complain that they can't get a full meal in the 40 minutes they have for lunch. Currently, Castlemont students can eat from the cafeteria, buy food from a student group called Knights Delights or bring food from home. A student group that sold hamburgers was shut down in December, reportedly because it was taking away the cafeteria’s business. Jose Zavala, 17, a senior, said that “closed campus is a very bad idea because there are very long lines and I can’t enjoy my food.” Junior Tiffany Allen, 16, agreed: “I think it’s dumb because it’s crowded on campus and some people don’t get to eat." Beginning in November, Castlemont added new food items, such as a delistyle sandwich bar and a grill. The av-

"Teachers need money, but at the same time, I need an education." – Zach Seidl Skyline sophomore consistently countered with insisting that the money is there, it’s a question of priorities.” Some at Skyline are opposed to a possible strike because of the poor economy and the effect a strike could have on students. “We will all suffer. I’m all for supporting the teachers, but I don’t think striking is the way to go," said David Haynes, Associated Student Body president of Skyline. "Think about all of the unemployed, it’s sad to hear.” Sophomore Zach Seidl echoed these concerns. “Teachers need money, but at the same time, I need an education ... without teachers, it’ll be really hard to be prepared.” Makender Jean-Philippe of Media Academy contributed to this article.

JUSTICE: Intensive effort works

Mini-Mart shooting brings about closed lunch Castlemont Business Information Technology School

for our educations," and added that teachers "may help us get out of this recession.” The turnover, which is the rate at which teachers quit, is high because Oakland teachers can find higher pay under easier circumstances in neighboring districts. According to OEA statistics, the teachers have not gotten a raise since 1999, instead they received pay cuts and benefit reductions. This lack of a raise does not take into account the role of inflation, so OUSD teachers are making less than they did in 1999 in “real dollars.” “Oakland teachers deserve better ... and putting a little Band-Aid on [the problem] won’t fix it. A strike will benefit the high school in the long run,” said English teacher Jeff Rapson, who supported the strike authorization. For these reasons, many teachers and parents are in favor of unifying and standing behind the one-day strike. OEA President Betty Olsen-Jones reinforces the legitimacy and necessity of the calls to action in her monthy OEA newsletter: “We are often told that we are being unrealistic, that our demands are too great in this economic climate. We have

Knights Delight Castlemont students are doing a brisk business in selling sandwiches and drinks now that the campus has been closed at lunchtime.

erage cost of a lunch is $3 for students and adults, and water is an additional 50 cents per bottle. Approximately 636 students qualify for free lunch, 47 qualify for reduced-rate lunch, and 277 pay full price, according to Terrell Frances, cafeteria manager. The cafeteria serves approximately 960 students per day. Frances said lines are long because students forget their ID numbers when ordering food. But she added that the new menu is healthy, including a salad bar. Frances said “sanitation reasons” limit student sales of food. Teachers suggest there is room for compromise. “I have mixed feelings,” said Isabel Toscano, who teaches American government, U.S. history and economics. “I want kids to be safe, but I think (going off campus) should be allowed for seniors and people who have a 3.0 (GPA)." Ryan said that “it seems like a good idea to let seniors off campus, but the reason for closed campus is safety, so I wouldn’t feel right” if the seniors were allowed to leave while others stay. She is willing to talk to seniors about lunchtime safety, but “closed campus is permanent.” On a recent rainy day, students huddled in the eating area outside the cafeteria. A temperature sign outside school read 38 degrees. In the cafeteria, there were a few students along with a vice principal. Food windows designed to serve students outside were closed. However, the Knight’s Delights window, which is staffed by students, was open for business. School Safety Officer Dorvez Barnett said, “Closed campus makes my job harder because we have to serve more kids in the cafeteria – twice as (many) as before." He added "it makes it easier, because we have strong staff members, and it runs real smooth.” Despite the extra work, Frances also backs the closed campus policy. “It keeps the kids off the street. It’s safer,” she said.

like a one-microphone policy and more importantly everyone else was listening. The girls could not roll their eyes or show disrespect. In the middle of the circle, Jackson placed “something of beauty,” a small vase with a flower. Before they began, Jackson played a Black Eyed Peas song about love. The goal of restorative justice is to strengthen relationships, and to offer an alternative to suspensions and expulsions, which are higher in Oakland than in other districts. “It's a way to change your mindset from punishment to how to make that wrong as close to right again, to heal the harm done,” said Rita Alfred, the program coordinator. "Offenders learn to acknowledge the harm and their part in it, notice how it has affected everyone else involved, and sincerely make amends. In other words, it teaches them to take responsibility for their actions and to realize what they've done. It teaches teens to become adults." In addition to EXCEL, Street Academy, Dewey Academy, Oakland High School, and West Oakland and Edna Brewer middle schools have committed to the philosophy and program. Restorative justice is more timeconsuming and methodical than a simple suspension or youth court session. First, the keeper has to interview the people involved, hear both sides of

At Cole Middle School, suspensions dropped 75 percent with the program. the story. Witnesses are interviewed to corroborate the accounts of the people involved. Then the keeper brings in everyone for a "conflict circle," where everyone involved creates and signs an agreement on values and guidelines. Participants answer four questions: Who was harmed, how was each person affected, what are the needs because of this action, and what are the obligations and who takes care of it. The first year of restorative justice at EXCEL — with 15 cases — was successful, said Alfred. At Cole, suspensions dropped 75 percent and the expulsion referrals dropped in one year from 22 to zero. Funding for the program comes from Measure Y, passed by voters in 2004 to earmark funding for violence prevention and public safety. Does it work? Jackson said the intensity of the process and the feeling of community help create a climate of healing. "At first I thought it was silly, really silly," he said, "but then I saw how well it really works."

STOPLIGHT: Will cameras be next? from page 1 colored car went around a bus and hit Williams. According to the Oakland Tribune, neighbors described the car as a black Lexus. Police said there were reports that the driver backed up after hitting Williams and hit her again before speeding off. "She was a very nice person. She would never do anything bad to anyone and (she) shared anything with friends. She was a funny person and not shy,” said Stephanie Aguilar, another sixth grader. Aguilar attended Williams' memorial services and said that "many people were crying and singing.” Williams was struck just as the school day began. According to Frick Principal Jerome Gourdine, “about 50 students” witnessed the accident. Gourdine immediately ran out to the scene. He said he believes Williams was dead by the time he arrived. Crossing guard Brian Taylor got hired the Monday after the accident. He works from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Asked what he thought about the intersection, he said, “it’s crazy — traffic is not better. People are still going through the stop signs.” Taylor said that he has almost been hit while working and that he would like to “cuss them out,” but that as a crossing guard, he has to

photo from www.kcbs.com

ALANA WILLIAMS

watch his tongue. “They are stupid drivers and (a hit and run) could happen to anyone because (drivers) are not careful,” said 8th grader Diana Jauregui. Gourdine said that 64th Avenue and Foothill Boulevard was well-known as a dangerous intersection but was far down the list for a new stoplight, which can cost up to $300,000. After Stewart was killed, however, "we moved to the top," Gourdine said. Calvin Criddle, a former Frick teacher and principal, said “three or four” students were hit by cars when he was a gym teacher. A stoplight alone, he added, won’t necessarily solve the problem. “The second thing you have to do is to get the traffic control cameras,” he said, “the ones that give the citations.”

4 February 2010

Speak Out! Oaktown Teen Times

oaktownteen@gmail.com

LETTERS: Teens comment

rom restrictions on student use of cell phones to the high school exit exam, our December issue struck a chord with readers. Send your letters to oaktownteen@gmail. com. A READER'S PRAYER The Richmond incident ("Oakland students horrified by gang rape," December OTT) was nothing but cruelty. Sex is very important to a lot of girls, and being forced to do it with six (males) is just sad and wrong. I hope those six get the consequences that they deserve. I hope the young lady is healing. I am praying for her. Thao Tran Oakland High, senior

EDITORIAL

What's the intention of school detentions?

akland Unity High, a great school full of wonderful students and teachers, is a bit too strict on detentions. For Unity High students, detention is a major worry each and every day, all throughout the school year. The rules at our school hold us to a strict standard: Students have to make sure they arrive to school on time, that they’re in their assigned seats before the bell rings, and — especially — that they’re in the proper and correct school uniform. On one hand, these rules are good, because if they didn’t apply to us, we would miss class as much as we wanted, not care about our grades, and dress however we want. Students would get out of line with the teachers. Classes would be disrupted, and the students wouldn’t be able to concentrate on their work. On the other hand, when kids break these rules, for any reason, the result is a detention, which doesn’t necessarily help the students learn how to avoid the bad behavior or dress code mistake in the first place. For example, in the mornings, some students arrive late to school, sometimes because they live far away – as far away as Hayward or Union City. Or they have a sibling to drop off before school. Or roads or streets are blocked because of an accident, such as the hit-and-run accident that occurred at 64th Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in October. During passing periods, we have only three minutes to get to our next class once the bell rings. We barely get inside class by the time we are marked as tardy. Uniforms also are a major issue. Just wearing a colored undershirt that isn’t black or white can get you in trouble. If students wear shoes that have even a little bit of a different color than black or white, they receive a detention. When school ends, students are surprised at the gate when Mr. Castillo, our principal, is waiting with a long list of names for detentions. Parents aren’t informed about their kids having to stay an extra hour in school because they have a detention; they wait out in the car but often they get frustrated. Eventually, they have to go in to the office and see what’s going on. Detention takes place in the auditorium, and it lasts for about an hour, usually every Friday, either during lunch or after school. Instead of talking about what they did to deserve the detention, students use the time to do schoolwork. "Detention is boring," says Carolina Burciaga, a freshman. We believe that Unity High should not be so strict on detentions. Some detentions are legitimate, but not for actions that weren’t done on purpose. Students who are in the classroom, but not seated before the bell rings, should not get detention. And students should be allowed to express themselves in color, as long as they are not gang affiliated colors, such as red (which stands for Nortenos) or blue (Surenos). —Julie Ortega and Imelda Rodriguez

TIME TO STAND UP I read the Richmond gang rape article ("Oakland students horrified by gang rape," December OTT). I thought it was sad and wrong, because this young girl from Richmond was raped for two hours by 20 boys and other young boys watched her get raped. That’s wrong because if one of the boys wasn’t watching, he could have saved her from harm. At least a person saw the group and called 911 immediately .... I’m just glad the young girl is alive. It’s time to take a stand for those who have been raped and abused, Fremont Federation, Richmond and Oakland. It’s time to take a stand, and let your voice be heard.

I never knew that Oakland had great wonders like this (turkey sub sandwich) ... Nick Rodriguez, Unity High

DON'T CLOSE CAHSEE CAMPS I was reading the article "Tech scrambles to fund successful exam camp" (December OTT) and wondered how the district (can) expect students to pass the CAHSEE without offering preparation. Oakland High School offered the CAHSEE boot camp this year and it was helpful to many students. Many students need the CAHSEE boot camp to pass the test and make sure they graduate. Joanne Lee-Yuen Oakland High, senior

YOUTH CENTERS SHOULD STAY Regarding "Center for at-risk youth itself in jeopardy due to recession" (December OTT): As I read about the Youth Center struggling to financially stay within the campus, I thought of other youth centers in Oakland that are also struggling. These youth centers are important to many that are struggling with issues and it's something they look up to .... If all youth centers were closed, what or where can students possibly get help?

Janelle Nichols Mandela High, sophomore

Judy Lam, Oakland High, senior

CELL PHONE STORY APPEALS Regarding “Amend cell phone rules” (December OTT), I agree … because I believe that students should be allowed to use our cell phones in the morning, during lunch and after school. We are not doing anything bad and we want to communicate with our friends and family. I think that you guys should just confiscate phones during class. Sometimes we need to use our phones for emergencies.

PRAISE FOR FILM CRITIC After reading "A second chance for summer flicks" (December OTT), a couple of things come to mind: I'm an old Star Trek fan and seeing a new modernized movie was so awesome! Transformers was a show I used to wake up early Saturday mornings to watch. The author, Bradley Izaguirre, did a good job capturing the mood of the movies. I hope to see other articles by this journalist.

Jennifer Vasquez Unity High, freshman

Rosey Uribe Oakland High, senior

I agree with “Amend cell phone rules” (December OTT). Cell phones are a very important thing. The principal should let the students at Oakland Unity High use our cell phones at last during lunch, or inside the gate. We have the right to have our cell phones and communicate with our parents. What if one day an accident happens on (a student’s) way home, but (he or she does not) have a phone because it vibrated in class and the teachers took it away? We might have a really bad injury and we don’t have anything to communicate with. They should let us use cell phones.

NOW THAT'S A SANDWICH When I first read the “Deli serving Temescal since ‘26” story, I was amazed that Bizarre Foods (on the Travel Channel) had not made a documentary on this huge (turkey) sub. When I thought about going to buy one, I thought it would last me three days! I never knew Oakland had great wonders like this one. After this gets publicized statewide, people will think of Oakland in a positive way. These things are what make Oakland a great place to be. Nick Rodriguez Unity High, sophomore

Brenda Segura Unity High, freshman

RESPECT FOR JORNALEROS After reading "Teens warm up laborers' days" (December OTT), I felt that what they were doing was nice and (that it was) showing care to the laborers. It also showed a lot to me from them doing that because they took their time off to show their respect to the people. The students also did an honorable thing to show respect. These type of events should be done on an everyday basis. Devin Briscoe Oakland High, junior

I thought the article “Teens warm up laborers' days” (December OTT) by Jose Alvarenga and Fuey Saechao was inspiring .... I was impressed by how the students from different schools all gathered up for the purpose of aiding the day workers.What I truly enjoyed ... is that not only did the laborers receive food they needed, but the students who volunteered got a wonderful experience .... I hope the students keep participating in activities that continue to help members of the community. Yuri Vasquez Mandela High, senior

aktown Teen Times is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, fiscally sponsored by Media Alliance. It is printed free-of-charge by the Bay Area News Group and the Oakland Tribune. All content is produced by students in Oakland high schools. Students exercise their freedom of expression granted under the First Amendment and the California Education Code, Section 48907. We welcome financial support, letters to the editor, story tips and advertising. Contact us at oaktownteen@gmail.com. MANAGING EDITORS Beatrice Motamedi and Lisa Shafer Layout assistant: Dolores Quitana, Unity High PARTICIPATING OTT JOURNALISM ADVISERS Patricia Arabia, Mandela Academy Allyson Bogie, Roosevelt Middle School Lisa Shafer, Media Academy Lara Trale, Oakland High Chris Scheer, Skyline High Daniel Zarazua, Unity High WRITING COACHES Mary McInerney, Skyline High Nadine Joseph, EXCEL High Dick Rogers, Oakland Technical High Sara Steffens, Media Academy BAY AREA NEWS GROUP Kevin Keane, Vice President, News Bay Area News Group-East Bay (BANG-EB) Peter Wevurski, Managing Editor, BANG-EB Martin G. Reynolds, Editor, Oakland Tribune & Assistant Managing Editor for News, BANG-EB

Speak Out!

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February 2010

Teen pregnancy is no reality show KAYLA WHEATFALL Skyline High

s pregnancy really becoming an epidemic? We see it every day in the media. Even 50 Cent made a song about it. To be honest, I do not want to have a baby with you. I will make my own millions. But why is pregnancy so popular? MTV’s “16 and Pregnant,”the reallife experiences of high school girls, has been a big hit. As they go through the hardships of having a child, being a parent and caring for him/her, we as an audience believe that it is funny.

The show was so good that MTV aired “Teen Mom,” the sequel to the hit show, and now viewers are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the second season of “16 and Pregnant.” There is something wrong with this picture. Don’t get me wrong. I watch the show, too, and it is pretty interesting. The Babies Having Babies MTV's "16 and Pregnant" focuses media is so desperate that it has to provide a on the challenges faced by young moms. Teen pregshow just to make more nancy rates are rising for the first time in more than a decade, according to the Guttmacher Institute. money. photo courtesy of MTV at remotecontrol.MTV.com Young girls are watchthe wrong message. I do not want that ing this and thinking that for any girl. this is cool, to have a baby, and that Not to hate on women, but why are pregnancy is a fairytale. Personally, I we having babies so early when we are would not want my little sister watching this, and to know that she is getting so young ourselves?

Babies cry, cost too much, and cannot care for themselves. They are not your Cabbage Patch doll that can wet itself and fake like it’s eating. The baby is not a toy. So the main question is, is pregnancy a trend or is it part of our society that we are going to accept? I do not think that it should be a trend that should be taken lightly. By having a baby, you will put your life on hold, or give it up completely. In my opinion, you are having a child with a man that may not love you. Having a child to keep a man is not going to work. Most likely, he is going to leave, and you will be stuck with a baby and a broken heart. The best thing to do is to get married as soon as possible. But do not put yourself in that position in the first place. Let this so-called trend die in the dark shadows, where it belongs, until we are fully established as young adults, able to care for the next generation.

O-High flips the switch on afterschool By the staff of the Aegis Oakland High School

he issue: Closed campus leaves students in the cold. Our recommendation: Increased security and an open school A school is clearly supposed to be a place where students can get extra help, work together with fellow classmates, and stay off the streets, so how can a school call itself an educational institution while closing its doors at 3:30 p.m.? In response to inappropriate student

Keeping students off the unpredictable streets can encourage (them) to put more effort into their education (instead) of drugs and violence. behavior, the Oakland High School administration has done just that. At 3:30 each afternoon, an administrator’s voice comes on the loudspeaker to instruct all students to leave the building. Even though it is only some students who

are behaving in an immature fashion, the administration must not blame the whole student body for the decisions that some students choose to make. Just in case administrators need some good reasons why afterschool activities make sense, here are a few: Keeping the campus open longer will allow students a safe place to meet with friends and talk about the work that they're doing in class. Allowing students access to learning facilities will allow them to excel and do better on their schoolwork. Keeping students off the unpredictable streets and inside a learning environment can encourage the students to put more effort into their education rather than drugs and violence. Having students work together to get their assignments completed encourages them to help each other and possibly get a better grasp on the concept.

Teachers play a key role in students’ educations. We must allow students extra time to meet with their teachers in order to better understand a certain subject and to be able to teach their peers about that subject. During hard times, students can seek comfort in the school environment from their friends and classmates. Even parent-teacher conferences can’t happen due to the campus closure. Having a campus opened longer can not only benefit the students but also teachers, since it gives them a chance to connect with their students individually outside of course work. Instead of closing the school to students after classes end, the administration should ensure that campus is a safe place to hang out again. By hiring additional security and making sure that off-limits areas are locked, they can make O-High the home away from home that its students deserve.

At EXCEL, Latinas may be few, but they are proud

’m one of the few Latinas at EXCEL High School. There are so few of us, you can count us on two and a half hands. We’re clumped into one category, even though we come from different regions and countries. I'm from Jalisco, Pamela is from Guanajuato, and Sarai and Mayra are from Salvador. The fact that I am one of the few Latinas at EXCEL doesn’t bother me. If there were more Latinos, there would be problems with gangs – and no fights break out with other groups now. So it’s quiet. And we speak English all day long – there are no Latina teachers with whom to chat in Spanish. At EXCEL, we’ve been exposed to lots of black history. How many Latinas get to take a class called “African American Studies?” Sometimes, I think I’ve learned more about Booker T. Washington and Sojourner Truth than about the braceros, the Mexican laborers who harvested sugar beets in

Enrollment by ethnicity at EXCEL

matecos, Nicaraguas, Puerto Ricans and many more cultural groups, I have some friends who are not Mexicans who get mad Source: Oakland Unified School District when people call them Mexicans. And Stockton during World War II. But this last year, some students at EXCEL were saying, “Mexicans are perverse.” makes me more flexible, more open Teachers had to send those students to and more adaptable. The schools I've the principal’s office. Things had to be attended in Oakland have been mostly set straight. African-American. I love hip-hop, and In West Oakland, we are already a my favorite artist is Keyshia Cole. minority – only 15 percent of the popuOn the other hand, there are disadlation is Hispanic. In middle school, vantages to being in the minority. We we were more numerous, but we went get stereotyped; my Salvadoran friends to different schools, such as Street are constantly called “Mexicans.” BeAcademy and Oakland Tech. cause there are Salvadorenos, Guatel-

ALICIA BAUTISTA EXCEL High

Because we Latinos are so rare at EXCEL, we are the only representatives of our culture here. So there’s less of a reason to get to know us. Many of our family members are still in our home countries, and those who are here are sometimes spread across the United States. Even though we miss our culture, we see being here as a way to make a better life.

Roosevelt Middle: Where are you going to high school? Why?

ALICIA CHEUNG

WILLIE HARDIN

EDGAR LOPEZ

"I chose (Oakland High) because it's right by my house .... I am planning on doing a program like volleyball, art, swimming. I've heard that it-s a good school, a lot of people I know go there." —Interviewed by Joshilyn Holmes

"McClymonds, because they have Bill Gates donating lots of money there so I will get the tools to do what I need to do. Also because they have a variety of electives that I want to choose from."— Interviewed by Edgar

“I chose Life Academy because my sister goes there and she says that it's pretty easy .... The sports there are cool. It is a clean school and the lunches there are good. There are nice teachers."—Interviewed by Keion Glover

JESSIE THREETS “Skyline because my teacher chose it and that's a good school for me .... I like (Skyline) ... because they have talent shows .... I think the teachers are really smart there."—Interviewed by Rashanea Boyd

ASHLEY HUNTER “I chose MetWest because ... it helps me with my opportunities and two days a week we can get to go places to volunteer ....it will help me choose what I want to do when I get to college.—Interviewed by Jacesse Threets

the

Pulse

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Oaktown Teen Times

February 2010

Teen texting, tweeting too much? New study shows teens spend 53 hours a week using social media, computers CESAR SANCHEZ Media Academy

acebook, YouTube, MySpace, AIM, etc., are all great tools of the new age of technology, but they all have an overwhelming ability to do one thing above anything else – get you to waste your time. Young people now devote an average of seven hours, 38 minutes to daily media use, or about 53 hours a week — more than a full-time job, according to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. But do these results mean that “social media” tools are addictive? If you feel guilty for checking in on Myspace or Facebook a few times a day, don’t worry. It’s normal behavior, according to a study by Retrevo. Indeed, most people check Myspace and Facebook a couple times a day. However, if you can’t survive a day

without social media, you may have a physiological dependence on social media and user-generated content, say experts. This basically means you can’t be calm without wanting to connect to social media. You may have social media addiction, also known as SMA.

People with SMA must have more and more time online to prevent anxiety. When they're out of reach from their tech tools, they get anxious. That description sounded familiar to Media Academy senior Jose Alvarenga. “Without the Internet, I feel alone, empty and bored,” he said. Alvarenga had an especially difficult time when his class visited Yosemite

two years ago. “Being there around the trees and animals and whole forest, I couldn't even check my e-mail from my mobile phone because of no reception,” said Alvarenga. “It was very frustrating.” Keyanna Scott, a junior at Media Academy, is another teen who admits she may be addicted. Scott goes to bed with her cell phone every night so she won't miss a text message coming in. "If it vibrates when I'm asleep, I wake up and keep texting until I fall asleep again,” she said. "For three or four years, I've never gone to bed without my phone, unless it's broken.

Others may not be losing sleep over social media, but their online habits still might be keeping them from doing important off-line things. One cafe owner in Oakland decided to do something about this trend. Sal Bednarz sponsors "laptop free" events at Actual Cafe on San Pablo Avenue to encourage customers to spend time making real friends offline. Why does he feel this is necessary? "Your Facebook friend in LA/NY/ Azerbaijan can't call the fire department when your house is burning down, or lend you a cup of sugar, or water your plants when you're on vacation,”said Bednarz.

'Generation ignorant' misuses tech tools t’s not a good sign when you start talking to your peers about Baghdad and someone responds “Oh, I think I bought a shirt from them once.” Living in a society characterized byGoogle, the text message, Twitter and Facebook, teenagers no longer have the urge to go beyond what is directly around them, and explore the global community. With technology constantly advancing, more and more information is open to the public. With constant updates about the events in every single community, state, and country, then, why is it that only 40 percent of people between 18 and 24, are able to point out Iraq on a map? Why can’t 75 percent point out Israel? Having that much knowledge available to anybody with access to a computer, it is preposterous that it’s being not taken advantage of. Every day, 400 million searches are entered into Google. However, its most popular hits — World Wrestling Enter-

tainment, Britney Spears and Nintendo Wii — do not reflect intellectual curiosity, but the absolute opposite. So, while technology is increasingly evolving, the younger generations’ interests revolve around video games, celebrities, and mass media, as opposed to global conflicts, developments, culture, or events. The saddest part is that we are losing our ability to develop an opinion on all that is happening. We’re losing our enthusiasm to explore and our zeal to understand. Our developing ignorance is creating a general apathy towards nearly anything that doesn’t revolve around mainstream music, media, and entertainment. I refuse to believe that teenagers got to this point of brain stagnation on our own. The society around is constantly, and consistently, supporting our ignorance. Media and tabloids promote drama and gossip, but they also promote the search for such scandals, as opposed to the search of information and context. An article about the latest Brange-

at least hope, most teenagers know the U.S. is at war with Iraq, how many actually know why? How many of us actually care? The fact is: we SHOULD care, but instead we sit around enjoying our absolute ignorance. No matter how many adults claim MONICA FLOYD that teenagers are not yet part of the Skyline High “real world,” we are. The problem is we are giving up our role in society, so lina breakup is not only a horrific we can pretend to be in rock bands or graffiti of literature, but it also sends imagine we’re war heroes. So it’s no out the idea that such information is surprise that adults tend to think of our both necessary and important. Moreover, as newspapers’ popularity sharply generation as the pathetic generation we have almost become. declines, our limited knowledge is Instead of conforming to this role, distributed by unreliable sources that usually distort the "real" news. No mat- it’s time teenagers actually take on what we deserve; a place in this society ter how much we pretend, Blogspot is not going to be the next that is looked upon with deference and respect as opposed to pity and regret. New York Times. Dive into what’s surrounds you, ask How we get our information is one as many questions as your teachers can thing, but what we do with it transtake (and then some more), and realize lates into another considerable issue. that what’s going on around the world Intrigue, curiosity, and genuine desire is a million times more fascinating than to know what’s going on, has become the new season of “The Real World.” a thing of a past. While I am sure, or

OTT honors contributors, seeks scholarship entries

photo by Luis Garcia / Oakland Unity High

Media center opens to help Oakland teens The frog above is part of a mural at the Oakland Green Youth Media & Arts Center at Telegraph Avenue and 28th Street, which held its grand opening on Jan. 14. Special guests at the opening included Dr. Yvonne Cole, mother of Keyshia Cole. The mural shows how people used to be close to nature, but have separated from it. The new center offers programs for teens in dancing, singing, art, video production and recording music. For more information, call 510 834-0347 or visit www.myspace.com/oaklandgymc.

It may take a village to do most anything — and in the case of the Oaktown Teen Times, it takes many talented students to make a newspaper. In the first three issues of this year, we’ve identified several students who have gone well beyond expectations, reporting and writing stories that literally wouldn’t exist if not for their enterprise and effort. They have helped make the newspaper a strong one that receives praise throughout the city. From school lunches (Beatriz Arias and Carolina Burciaga) to environmental justice (Pamela Tapia) and security concerns that forced Castlemont to close its campus at lunchtime, (DeVonna Atkins and Ameriah Hayes), our OTT reporters cover news that students need to read. For the first time, we’re glad to say that we will be offering two $500 scholarships to college-bound students who want to study journalism. Any senior who has published work in the OTT is eligible to apply for a scholarship. Application forms will be available in April. Awards will be based on the decisions of a panel that includes OTT’s managing editors as well as editors from the Oakland Tribune.

OTT CONTRIBUTORS OF THE ISSUES

BEATRIZ ARIAS

CAROLINA BURCIAGA

Unity High

October

PAMELA TAPIA

DEVONNA ATKINS

EXCEL High

CBITS

December

February

To join OTT:

AMERIAH HAYES CBITS February

Write to us at oaktownteen@ gmail.com. Give us your name, school and how we can reach you. We'll send an editor to your school to meet with you.

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February 2010

Oaktown Teen Times

Sending messages should be off limits while driving

ONISHA BARHAM Oakland High

SpOken words

ost Oakland High students who drive are aware of the law against texting while driving. The new Wireless Communications Device Law makes it an infraction to write, send, or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, while driving a motor vehicle. This law went into effect on Jan.1, 2009. While teens are texting and driving, they avoid thinking of the dangers. They put their own lives at risk as well as endangering others on the road. According to the AllState Auto Insurance statistics, motor vehicle crashes are the number-one cause of deaths among American teens, ending more lives than than drugs, alcohol, violence or suicide. According to the New York Times, texting while driving is a much greater distraction than traffic, noise or other distractions. Virginia Tech’s new study says that truck drivers’ collision risk was 23 times greater when texting than when not texting. Such statistics should encourage driv-

Christsna Sot delivers his spoken words. Sot and other Skyline students started SLAM -- Student Led Arts Movement to give poets a chance to work together on their words and then slam them in open mics. photo by Sarn Saechao / Skyline High

Slammin’ it at Skyline Spoken Word artist says genre lets youths 'speak for themselves' and not just be 'represented by adults' SARN SAECHAO Skyline High

Is (a) life worth the response to that text message?

“F

lows with invisible beats. You make lines go together without a tangible key, the key being the voice, this voice not being my weapon of destruction but weapon

ers to put down their cell phones, but the reality is just the opposite. Despite the new law, Oakland High students acknowledge the dangers of texting while driving but choose to text anyway. “Red light, it’s okay to text. Green light, no!” said senior Jaeda O’Neal. Whether you’re at a red light or on the freeway the dangers of texting while driving still remain the same. “I know people have been in accidents because of it,” said senior Nancy Nguyen. “But I don’t really see the harm.” I believe the risk you take while responding to a text is too great; is the life of someone worth the response to that text message? Something as little as a text message can cause a collision, or worse. Just take a second to think before responding to a text message while driving. Think beyond those five seconds you take to look down. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Someone could be injured or, worse, you or someone else could end up dead. It may not seem realistic but the harm in texting while driving is potentially fatal. According to the Virginia Tech study, it’s even more dangerous than taking a phone call. For your safety and for the safety of others, don’t text while driving. No text is to die for.

of choice." This is the description Skyline junior Nhi Nguyen gives for his art form —Spoken Word. Spoken Word is mainly literary performing arts with poetry, lyrics or stories. Spoken Word doesn’t necessarily have to deal with poetry, as there are often comedic acts or storytelling, and music is sometimes accompanied with a performance depending on the preference of the poet. Spoken Word blossomed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s with the appearance of poetry slams, where spoken word artists compete against each other with their own style and piece. Spoken Word is performed by any age group and all are welcomed to do so. In fact, Nguyen first experienced Spoken Word when he was just 11. “My teacher Mr. Pacman assigned us a quick write. I wanted to write a poem, but I didn’t like poems that didn’t rhyme so I composed a piece that did and was asked to perform at an assembly.” Nguyen said Spoken Word helps with public speaking and confidence. “The paper and the pen is my therapist,” he said. Spoken Word been helpful in similar ways to another Skyline student, sophomore Christsna Sot. “Through Spoken Word, I’ve overcome my fear of public speaking, ” he said. “ I have the ability to freely express myself and my ideas. I’ve gotten to know many cool people that have connections with the poems that I write.” But the benefits of Spoken Word aren't just for the poet, according to Sot. “It's a perfect way to express yourself and get in front of a bunch of people you don’t know and let them

understand what you got to say — because what you got to say is significant and it can make a tremendous difference in other people's lives,” said Sot. Sot said Spoken Word lets youths “speak for themselves instead of being represented by adults. “They need to share their stories and their views,” he added. Sot discovered Spoken Word in the sixth grade. “Through Spoken Word, I’ve learned many things from people who go up on stage and share their poems,” she said. “They’ve taught me a lot, whether it be about relationship issues, religion, politics, the world, life, death, etc. Some poems can be funny and make you laugh and some poems can be intensely emotional and make you cry.” Sot is the president of Skyline's poetry club called SLAM. (Student Led Arts Movement), which meets every Tuesday at lunch. The club plans workshops, holds open mics (open invitation for anyone to step up on stage and express a piece) and poetry slams. Sot actively participates in many poetry slams. “In a poetry slam, you never know how the atmosphere is going to be like. If you are performing, you better be ready for anything. Sometimes, you never know what kind of people the judges are going to be. The host talks too much and tries to make him(self) or herself the star of the night.” Sot said that while sometimes the audiences at poetry slams don't understand the poetry, they still make the artists feel welcomed. To first-time participants and slam audience members, Sot has this to say: “I guarantee that you can learn something you never knew before in that night.” Sot is also a member of the San Francisco-based Youth Speaks, which works with youth through writing and Spoken Word. Youth Speaks offers writing workshops, open mics and poetry slams. At a recent Unified District Poetry Slam sponsored by Youth Speak, Sot came out on top against students from Oakland and San Francisco. This year's Youth Speaks East Bay Semi-Finals will be held on March 26 and 27 at the Julia Morgan Young People's Performing Arts Center, 2630 College Ave., Berkeley at 7 p.m. The finals will be held April 3 at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco.

DEBATE: Team argues to solve poverty from page 1 They are the only team from Oakland and only one of two teams from the Bay Area to qualify for nationals. The two varsity debaters, both seniors at EXCEL, came in second behind Balboa High School of San Francisco in the Bay Area Urban Debate League’s qualifying tournament in December. “The two were awesome, especially in their strong argument on medicaid,” said Daniel Sharp, assistant coach, who is a sophomore at the University of California at Berkeley. The topic for nationals is the same as that in the qualifying round: that the federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty.

The two debaters train hard and are fierce competitors. “Tanesha’s dynamic and she’s a tigress in action,” said Sebastian Castrechini, the team’s coach and a policy analyst at Stanford, who will travel with them to New York for nationals. Yaphet, a former debater for Street Academy, uses his confident, charismatic personality in his debates. “He’s brutal in cross examination,” said Castrechini. The team trains twice a week for four hours. Its debate warm-up exercises include reading words backwards and listening to rap while taking notes. “It helps me flow better and write blocks,” says Walker, who plans to debate in college. “And of course, speak way, way, way faster.”

top iN oaklAND Tanesha Walker and Daemiion Yaphet were the top Oakland team and second place overall in the Bay Area Urban Debate League's national qualifying tournament at Fremont Federation on Dec.13. photo by Kendra Johnson / Cal Prep

February 2010

Oaktown Teen Times

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Tragedy, family, forgiveness in Lovely Bones BIANCA RAMOS Unity High

o one likes to think about rape, but it is a crime that is all around us. From the recent Richmond gang rape to the rapes that take place in wars around the world, rape is a crime that affects many women, young and old. A movie now in theaters takes up this difficult subject, and I believe both the movie and the book depicted the experience in a way that is quite tragic and honest. The Lovely Bones is based on a book published in 2002 by Alice Sebold. This book begins in the 1970s, in the suburbs of Pennsylvania, where a 14-year-old girl named Susie takes a shortcut through a cornfield on her way from school. Suddenly, she is startled by a neighbor, Mr. Harvey, who mentions a project for the neighborhood children. He has dug out a hole inside the earth, and he convinces her to check it out. Then he converses with her to keep her from going back home. Mr. Harvey pleads with Susie to take her clothes off, but Susie refuses and tries to fight back. She ends up getting raped and murdered. Mr. Harvey hardly feels any emotion and throws her remains into a sinkhole. After her death, her family mourns and tries to investigate her unexpected disappearance. They each deal with it differently but all are affected. The family falls apart as Susie's overwhelmed mother decides to get away for a while, trying to put all the pain behind; Susie's father takes the respon-

sibility to care for the other two children, struggling to keep the family together though he has Susie on his mind. After several years, Susie's mother is reunited with her family after her husband suffers a heart attack. The family puts its troubles behind it, but never forgets Susie. Meanwhile, Susie struggles to adjust in the In-Between World- a place between Earth and Heaven. She watches her family and friends on Earth continue their lives without her. Her younger sister, Lindsey, falls in love for the first time and experiences other moments that Susie never had the chance to feel. She also watches over Mr. Harvey and awaits for justice to be done, but it's never done. Susie's father and Lindsey both suspect that Mr. Harvey murdered Susie, but he's never considered a suspect. He flees, so that he can proceed with his wicked lifestyle. He attempts to murder other young girls and he rarely thinks of Susie. Even so, Susie's hate toward him slowly diminishes. Susie is able to learn to let go and live peacefully in heaven. The beginning of the book was breathtaking, especially when Susie

Between Two Worlds Actress Saorise Ronan is Susie in The Lovely Bones, a movie about the afterlife of a murder victim and her family. photo courtesy of DreamWorks

talks about her murder and the family's grief. However, it gets pretty boring in the middle of the book since there's hardly any suspense anymore. Still, the writing captivates, especially since the story is told from Susie's perspective. As a reader, I felt a connection to each character's feelings and emotions. The story of the family's struggles and love, along with the theme of hope and forgiveness, is uplifting and heartwarming. The ending was quite disappointing but I'd still recommend the book. Response to the movie version has been mixed. Audiences that never read the book felt as though the movie focused too much on the In-Between World instead of the murder investigation. The book emphasized love and

forgiveness rather than revenge, and it clarified the characters' motives and their views of life after Susie's death. The movie doesn't make it clear that Susie was raped. On the other hand, the movie has suspense and the actors and actresses played their roles very well. So I would give two thumbs up to both the book and the movie, for their vast creativity and meaningful revelations. But I would still say that the book is a must read before you head to the movies. After reading The Lovely Bones, I've come to realize that rape is the most dreadful experience imaginable. No one — male or female —deserves to go through it. The Lovely Bones can be tough to read and to watch, but the message is important.

Drew's new 'What is Love' shows that's all you need

JACK MEJIA Media Academy

hristofer Drew of Never Shout Never has always been inspired by the Beatles. Hailing from Joplin, Missouri, the 18-year-old songwriter, who recently signed with Warner Bros., released his debut "What is Love?" last month. A simple, sweet and sincere record, it communicates a Beatles-like belief in peace and love. The record, produced by

Butch Walker, who’s worked with the likes of All Time Low, stays true to Never Shout Never’s sound, but explores new territories, digging deeply into the meaning of love, and contemplating society's ignorance and injustice. The first song, “Love Is Our Weapon,” opens up with a cheery and hopeful beat, reminiscent of Panic at the Disco’s 2008 album, Pretty. Odd. It’s an anthem, instrumental and inspiring like the Young Veins’ “Change,” and urging the new generation to stop fighting. It hits a high note when Drew proclaims, “Love is the only thing that’s kept me believing/Love is the weapon for this wounded generation.” “Can’t Stand It” is another favorite. A song of hopeless romance, it has We the Kings’

beach-y sound. Drew’s lyrics are honest and youthful, the song bursting with love. The song is original, unlike anything Never Shout Never has produced to date. When the song jumps into the chorus, taking a more upbeat and happy turn, your heart warms. The strong title track, “What is Love?” reminds me of the raw cover of “Working Class Hero” (by The Academy Is… ). "Love" touches you on a personal level as William Beckett’s impassioned, angry vocals address the messed-up state of our world. The song captures Drew’s raw emotion. In the last song, “The Past,” Drew recounts the events of his teenage life and what it cost him to pursue his dream of forming a band. It sounds stereotypical, but Drew makes it unique; the track

is stripped down and Drew sings vulnerably and with utter sincerity about being raised in a midwestern town. He openly speaks about battling his addictions, leaving his family behind and asking for forgiveness. Towards the end, the song takes a lighter, instrumental turn. Drew’s vocals are sad and full of passion, his emotions clearly evident in his voice. "The Past" is one of the most personal songs Drew has ever written. Rest assured, "What is Love?" is an amazing album. But on the downside, the album should have been longer than its eight tracks. And not all of the instrumental tracks are successful. Early versions of "Jane Doe" had less instrumentation and let Drew's voice stand out. I wish that the version on the album was also stripped down.

Overall, "What is Love?" is worth a listen. Like Bryce Avary of The Rocket Summer, Drew has the ability to craft serious songs that uplift. Drew's lyrics are bold and he doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind, be it about society or religion. Never Shout Never’s emotionally charged rock makes you think, but funky songs will bring a smile to your face. Those who thought Never Shout Never’s music would be bland after the band signed to a major label are proven wrong by "What is Love?" Absolutely love Never Shout Never? See Christofer Drew live on the 2010 AP tour, playing alongside the Summer Set, Every Avenue, the Cab and Hey Monday. Buy your tickets here: http://www.altpress.com/specials/ theaptour/

Students focus on San Quentin News, prison journalism ABRAHAM CERVANTES Unity High

hat is the inside of a prison really like? And why would it have a newspaper? Those questions are behind a new documentary called “Inside Story” by filmmaker and journalist Jacob Simas. Simas visited Unity High School on Dec. 14 to show his documentary and to talk with students about prison life and journalism. The 27-minute documentary took about 15 days of filming and one year of planning and editing for the completion of the film. The prison is overcrowded and there have been concerns about the medical care that the prisoners are getting. So Simas said that San Quentin is actually a good place to have a newspaper. San Quentin is the first prison to ever have a newspaper, allowing prison inmates to learn or share problems that happen within prison walls. There are 5,274 inmates in the prison, many of them serving life sentences for violent crimes. The film shows ways prisoners

photo by Julie Ortega/Unity High

Year in the making Filmmaker and UC Berkeley journalism grad Jacob Simas screened his documentary at the recent Mill Valley Film Festival.

express themselves. For example, when the newspaper comes out everybody is in a rush to read it. In another scene, as one of the newspaper editors passes out the paper to an inmate in his cell you can see

that the inmate didn’t have enough room to move around or even open the paper all the way. The news editors have more freedom in the prison when it comes to moving within the prison walls because they have press badges. Members of the San Quentin News who are featured in the movie are Kenneth Bryden, editor; Aly Tamboura, also an editor; and David Marsh, a writer. Each one of the members of the San Quentin News is an actual inmate of the San Quentin state prison, and each one is serving a sentence. Bryden went before the parole board 19 times. Aly Tamboura was serving an 11-year sentence, convicted of “terroristic death threats” against his wife. In addition to serving time, each of them faced obstacles as a journalist; sometimes other inmates don’t like stories when they come out. During the 1970s, according to Simas, the thenchief editor of the San Quentin News made someone very unhappy, and he was stabbed and thrown off the prison tower. "State prisons are like little cities," said Simas. "What you can find in a

city, you can find in a prison." According to Simas, there is a lot of segregation in prisons, and because of this, many people who go to prison stay with their own race because that is prison culture. Even though many inmates like the paper, sometimes it can cause controversy, especially when reporters write about areas or topics that nobody is supposed to know about. One story caused the shutting down of the San Quentin newspaper in 1991. After that, “the inmates started to become more assertive about their rights,” Simas said. Simas studied documentary film at the University of California-Berkeley, and earned his masters degree in journalism in the spring of 2009. In 2003, his journalism career began at KPFA radio. Students said that Simas' documentary opened their eyes to prison life in a way they couldn't ignore. "It was kind of hard to watch," said Dolores Quintana, 15, a sophomore. "It's something you don't see every day, and it's harder to see it (as) an inside story than (in) the media".