FALL 2012

The New York Association of Black Journalists Student Journalism Workshop

CO-SPONSORED BY LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY (BROOKLYN CAMPUS)

NYABJ 25th ANNUAL WORKSHOP WWW.FIRSTTAKENYC.COM

As cars made their way toward the Manhattan Bridge, some coming from as far away as Massachusetts and Quebec, Canada, they pulled into the nearby G & J Mobil Service Station in Brooklyn, N.Y. to pump gas freely -- something they could not have done just two weeks prior. Now that the city is recovering from Superstorm Sandy, gas station owners no longer have to worry about long lines and frustrated customers fighting for gas. With gas rationing over, Robert Tsai, the owner of G & J Mobil Service Station, said that the days of empty gas tanks are over. Everything is back to normal now, he said, adding: Every time we sell out, they come again. The results of Superstorm Sandy lead to one of the largest shortages of gas in New York in recent memory. Thousands of people waited for hours to get one of the most essential needs for everyday life. Some lines stretched for more than four blocks while many car owners were desperate for gas so that they could ride to school, work and run important errands. One of the disgruntled customers during the crisis, Veronski Mesidor of Baldwin, Long Island, was very frustrated because he waited early in the morning for nearly five hours just to get $10 worth of gas. It is so chaotic waiting in line with a five-gallon gasoline can and seeing how aggressive people are towards each other, he said. Also waiting was Nelson Campos, who is a landscaper in Long Island. He was filled with joy after waiting on line and being able to fill up his

SANDY HAS US GASSED OUT

[ By: Jeremy Valle ]

truck and machines for his business. If I didnt get gas I wouldnt be able to finish my route and (I would) not be able to work the next day but I thank God for giving me the patience to wait on line, he said. Some New Yorkers didnt bother to wait like Curran Estreich. She stopped using her car and instead used the subway routinely for errands. She was not able to do as much as she usually did prior to the gas shortage. One day when I had a lot of shopping to do, it was very hard because I had to carry everything with me on the subway, she said.

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GOODBYE TO BIG SWEET DRINKS?

NYC [ENACTS ] BAN

By: Bianca Rosembert

In three seasons of Teen Mom on MTV, viewers have witnessed plenty of drama tears, whining and even a young mother locked behind bars for misbehaving. This show and others stereotype pregnant mothers as selfish, nave and irresponsible but Connecticut native, high school valedictorian, and teen mom Mikayla Williams is defying that image. Simply put, shes different. Williams graduated at the top of her class with a 96 grade point average in 2011. Shes headed

to college and shes more than motivated to do whatever it takes to succeed for herself and her child. Williams reflected on telling her mother the news of her pregnancy and the unexpected response she received. Get out! she said her mother demanded. I was kind of stunned, she said. Williams ran upstairs to collect her things. She stuffed a few items of clothes and other possessions into one of her handbags until her mother appeared in her
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Phawn Butler, a New York City Police officer, was fortunate: She said police officers did not have to wait in the long lines because all city employees were offered free gas from the inner Bronx. If I had no gas then I wasnt going to be able to go to work and I just had to go to work, said Butler, who was stationed at a gas station in her district during the storm. Police couldnt take the day off. There were mandatory overtime hours for New York police because of the storm. We had 12 hours overtime for up to two weeks. Gas pumps were wrapped with police yellow tape for officers to keep order and maintain harmony; this was the usual scenario at almost every gas station in New York immediately following Hurricane Sandy. According to the New York Daily News, over 30 million gallons of gas was delivered to stations during this crisis. To decrease the length of the lines, Mayor

Michael R. Bloomberg issued the rationing of gas. The city used a strategy that allowed drivers with license plates that ended in an odd number to buy gas on odd number days only. Others whose plates that ended in an even number were able to buy gas on even number days. But commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, vehicles licensed by TLC, MD plates, and Para transit vehicles were exempted from this policy. It wasnt the first time New York suffered a gas shortage; some remember a similar situation in the 1970s. A lesson that can be learned is to better prepare for disasters like Superstorm Sandy and to come together as

citizens to have help and stability. Curran Estreich is glad everything is back to normal. I started using my car again about two weeks ago when the gas ration was more available, she said.

GOODBYE TO BIG SWEET DRINKS?

NYC [ENACTS] BAN

By: Bianca Rosembert

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bedroom doorway. I must have looked at her for 10 like seconds and then I just broke down, Williams said. Then she hugged me and said that we were going to get through it together and to unpack my stuff. I was so relieved! Mikaylas mother Jennifer Williams thought she had done all the right things to make sure that her daughter would not become a teen pregnancy statistic. I was so disappointed when she told me. My heart just broke, Jennifer Williams said. I wanted to kill that darn boyfriend of hers too. All three of us had sat down and talked about abstinence and the consequences of having sex too soon more than once. Despite the popularity of shows like Teen Mom, incidents of adolescent pregnancies and teens having sex have been on the decline. The number of teens giving birth in the United States has been steadily decreasing over the past two decades, according to an article on the CNN Health blog. The rate has dropped from 61.8 births per every 1,000 teens in 1991 to 39.1 in 2011. In fact, more teenagers are using protection. The percentage of high school students who engaged in sexual intercourse in the past three months without using any type of protection went down from 16 to 12 percent. The percentage of teens using two different types of contraception has increased from 5 to 9 percent, according to

the CNN Health blog and Guttmacher.org. When people see that youre like a teen and you got a child, they judge you right off the bat. Since Im black that just adds to the judgment. I think that is so wrong, Mikayla Williams said. They dont look at you as an individual. They look at you as part of a stereotype. There are many stereotypes about teen mothers as well they will never finish high school, go to college, get married or get a good job. And their child has a higher risk of becoming a teen mom too. Mikayla Williams is moving beyond those stereotypes. Her mother demanded that the pregnant teen do her best in school. Mikayla Williams made a pact with her mother that she was going to be the valedictorian of her senior class. Her mother saw no reason for this to change because she was pregnant. I let her know early on that there was going to be no slacking whatsoever, Jennifer Williams said. I told her that it wasnt going to be easy but I would do everything in my power to help her.

Mikayla Williams said: It was really hard. I mean being pregnant and still going to school isnt easy at all. I never pictured myself going through my senior year pregnant never, she said with tears in her eyes. My mom really pushed me during that time and I love her for that. I accomplished all my goals. I was a pregnant valedictorian! Can you believe that? she laughed triumphantly. Im going to start college in the fall, she added proudly. Im taking Nadiya with me too. They have family housing and a daycare center there, so Im super excited! But were definitely going to come home every weekend and on the holidays. At that, the teens mother stated You better! And this young mom has plans that do include Nadiyas dad, Daniel Brown, too. The two have maintained a relationship. Brown is currently in college, but visits Williams and their daughter every weekend. Brown was raised by a single mother in Chicago and said he felt guilty when Williams delivered the news they were having a baby. I know what its like to be raised by a teen mom. My mother was one and we were always struggling, he said. My dad wasnt there for us, so it was really hard. When Kayla told me she was pregnant, I hugged her and said we were in this together. It sounds sappy, but I meant it then and I mean it now, he said. I really want us to get married. And thats exactly what Williams wants, too. When Im finished with college, she said. Then we want to move in together and just be a family. When I tell people my goals they think Im crazy, but Im not going to just fit the norm or the stereotypes out there. Im going to do things my way.

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GENTRIFICATION IN CROWN HEIGHTS HAS BOTH

[ By: Shantel Destra ]
Crown Heights has seen dramatic changes in recent years. The area that was once infamous for drug abuse, crime and a 1991 riot is now known for luxury condos, upscale cafs and a younger, more affluent _ and white _ population. Gentrification has affected the physical and social environment of Crown Heights. The arrival of new stores, the shift in the neighborhoods demographics and the promise for change leaves some Crown Heights residents with mixed reactions. Located in central Brooklyn, Crown Heights is known for overflowing cultural diversity, from the Caribbean Day Parade to the copious amount of museums and cultural institutions, including the Brooklyn Childrens Museum. With over 142,000 people living in the neighborhood (according to 2010 U.S. Census data), Crown Heights was first called home by Jewish people in the mid 1900s. Twenty years later, Crown Heights saw an influx of African-Americans moving into the neighborhood and has since become known as the largest West Indian neighborhood in New York City, according to soulofbrooklyn.com. The neighborhood reached national infamy in 1991 during a deadly riot between Jewish and black residents over a car accident that killed a young black boy; a Jewish man was killed in retaliation. Gentrification, the process of renovating and revamping low-income neighborhoods by the middle class, has rapidly changed the neighborhood of Crown Heights in the last four years. One of the early signs of gentrification in Crown Heights was the opening of Franklin Park, a beer garden, on Franklin Avenue in 2008. The restaurant became a social center, attracting people who lived outside of Crown Heights, and helped spark the gentrification process. By traveling to the restaurant, people began to take notice of Crown Heights and more restaurants began to get built. New businesses opened up, from Dutch Boy Burger on Franklin Avenue to Stork, a childrens store, also on Franklin. Rents have jumped: According to the real estate brokerage firm MNS, the average price for a Crown Heights one-bedroom apartment rose almost 15 percent from the beginning of 2012 to the end of 2012, for an average of $1735. The changes are reflected in the demographics as well. According to a 2011 article in the Wall Street Journal that cited U.S. census data, the white population has increased by at least 20% and the black population has fallen by at least

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON RESIDENTS

Crown Heights, like most New York City neighborhoods over the past decade, has overcome its crime-ridden status. Over the past 10 years, there has been a 16.7 percent decrease of victims of gun violence and a 28.6 percent decrease of shooting incidents in Crown Heights. Crown Heights as neighborhood and community has really tightened up and stopped a lot of nonsense. But gentrification will only bring more tension and stress back into Crown Heights because it will drive blacks out of our own community, says Oscar Daniels, 36, who has lived in Crown Heights for the last 30 years. Gentrification shows no sign of slowing. In the fall of 2012, the bakery chain Connecticut Muffin opened their seventh branch on the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Bergen Street. The owners of the Connecticut Muffin store _ Yasser, Muhammed and Admed Abdelhadi _constructed the new branch because of the lack of similar restaurant styles in the neighborhood. Since its opening, the Crown Heights branch has supplied jobs to residents ranging from students to adults. George Torrez, the manager of the Crown Heights Connecticut Muffin, said: One of the main focuses of this branch is to educate the people of Crown Heights and help the community however we can. We want to bring the caf style of Manhattan to Crown Heights and it will definitely help the job market.

10% since 2000. [Gentrification] is a good thing because it allows for the neighborhood to become wealthier but at the same time it is negative because the members of the community may no longer afford life in Crown Heights, says Sakiel Harrison, an 18-year-old Crown Heights native who worries about the long-term effects that gentrification may have on the community. Some fear the newer, mainly white residents will force the predominantly minority community to leave the neighborhood that has been theirs for years. Its a community that is shaking off its former dubious reputation. In the late 1990s, the neighborhood of Crown Heights was at the epicenter of the crack epidemic and gun violence. Crown Heights became one of the most notoriously dangerous neighborhoods in New York City. With the help of the New York City Police Department, community organization and outreach programs,

TE E N S S E E SOCI A L M E D I A A S A TO O L FO R

SELF-EXPRESSION
[ By: Ayanna Daniel ]
Some people equate teens online with bad behavior. In the news media, there have been stories about teens and cyber-bullying, teens being lured by sexual predators online, kids becoming distracted by social media and more. But while those scenarios might occur with some teens, the Internet, specifically social media, can often be a positive influence in a teens life. Sakira Forbes, a London-born 15-year-old who lives in Brooklyn, uses social media as an outlet for creative expression.

[I] have a YouTube channel, just to show my talent of singing. I like to show people what I have, said Sakira, whose channel is called CausImGee. On it, she has posted several videos that feature her singing gospel songs. Sakira is not alone. According to Pew Research Centers Internet American Life survey of teens and parents, 80 percent of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 use social media to post a video or photo. You feel good when people comment on your videos. Its a motivation, says Sakira.

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In fact, one in five of these teens, considered digital natives because their generation was born in the Internet and digital era, say that their social networking makes them feel more confident about themselves and less depressed, according to a study published this summer by Common Sense Media. The immediate sense of popularity is an ego-booster and gives them a sense of importance, the study said. Another teen that uses social media regularly is Jonathon Torres: I use social media to vent my feelings. I also use it for news. As a sophomore in high school, Jonathan, 15, spends the majority of his leisure time on multiple social networking sites, more often Twitter. When hes not preparing for exams or completing projects worth half of his final grade, hes releasing all of the pent-up tension of the day online and catching up on his favorite world news via his online newsfeed. He also uses it to send instant messages or to chat with friends through social networking: According to the Pew study, 88% of teenagers who use social media sites do so as well. Jonathan, a Brooklyn resident, said it allows him to talk to my Internet friend who lives in Ohio or talking to my friend outside of school. Facebook to him is like one big friend hangout. In reference to teenagers from the ages of 13 and 17, about six percent of them update blogs or comment on blogs every day, 11 percent send or receive tweets daily and 51 percent check their social networking site at least once a day or more. All together, 23 percent of teens are heavy social media users (meaning they use at least two different types of social media each and every day), 24 percent are light social media users (they have either never used any

social media or dont use social media more than once a week.) I have Tumblr, just recently reactivated my Facebook because I hate it, but my girlfriend made me . I have Twitter but I rarely [use it] Sometimes I go on Omegle but thats really rare, said Tyra, who just gave her first name in an email interview. I mostly use it to connect with other people. Dr. Katie E. Davis, an assistant professor at the University of Washington Information School in Seattle, says that girls may be spending more time on social media programs and websites in comparison to boys: Girls tend to be more communicative. Boys are more engaging on activities [sports]. Some adults have raised concerns that teens may be putting themselves in danger by the information they post on social media sites _ either giving up information too freely or posting inappropriate videos or photos. Davis said that that kind of behavior often is dependent on how old the teenager is. Teen girls are twice as likely to use Twitter as teen boys (22% of online girls use Twitter, compared with 10% of online boys). Twitter adoption is especially low among younger boys, reports the Pew

study, as well. Teens closer to the end of school are more mindful, she said. There are more younger kids (who) dont really think about what will happen (in) three to four years, when they are applying to college and those kind of posts may come into play, she added. Social networking plays an important role in the life of the average teenager. With access to various social options, communication isnt the main priority of these teens. Being able to have their voices and opinions acknowledged is what these teens are after. As a person in general, knowing who you are is key. Why live and not know who you are? That leads to a life of confusion, fear and misery,

Anticipation As 17-year-old high-school student, Symone Wallace sits down in the chair across from her guidance counselors desk; she cant help but feel nervous. Her eyes dart around the tiny office as she fidgets in her seat and plays with her hair. A thin film of sweat forms on her forehead as she gets ready to drop the bombshell on her frazzled counselor. The small table in the office is cluttered with various other students transcripts, teacher recommendations, essays and other college-related paraphernalia. The tired-looking counselor flips through 200 senior portfolios stacked beside her desk until she finally comes to Symones. She slaps it down and asks, What are we talking about today? The anxious high school student tenses up and takes a deep breath before finally saying, I dont want to go to college. After a long, awkward silence, the counselor simply shrugs and says, Thats fine. Lets talk about what youre going to do after graduation, then Miss Wallace. At this statement, Symone calms down and takes a sigh of relief. The guidance counselor stretches and says, Just relax Miss Wallace, there are plenty

COLLEGE: THE ONLY ROUTE TO SUCCESS?

[ By: Ashley Johnson ]
of other options Symone is one of the many students in New York State who are not able to, or interested in enrolling in college and is uncertain about the road ahead. In a news release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it was reported that 68.3% of 2011 high school graduates were enrolled in colleges or universities, which is slightly down from 70.1% in 2009. No Money, Mo Problems Part of the decline is due to the cost of a college education. A recent survey by the College Board reports that the average cost of an in-state public college education for the 2012 2013 academic year is $22,261, while the average cost of a private college education is $43,289. With student loans at a record high of $26,600 per borrower (up 5% from 2010), some high school graduates are wary of pursuing a bachelors degree. High school student Brandon Lloyd says, The school I want to go to is like almost $50,000 a year. I dont have the grades for a scholarship or anything so Im going to get a job after graduation. This is the reality for many students who have graduated, or are going to graduate soon. College Can Happen While some students are ruling out the idea of a traditional four-year college education, many are looking forward to it. Kendra Foster, a parent of a high school senior says, He [her son] doesnt have a choice, hes going to college. He better get himself a scholarship too because education dont come cheap.

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My parents said I have to go to college. So Im going to do this work-study program that this college I want to go to has. Ill probably have to take out some loans too, says high school senior Daniel Matthew. Daniel also says that he wont be able to go shopping as often as he used to as the time for college draws nearer. While some will have to turn to working and loans to cover the cost of tuition, some students have been saving up for college their whole lives like college freshman Janelle White. Im lucky. When I was little, my mom started putting away money for college. My relatives added to it sometimes and I think thats why Im here now, she said. Janelles mother, Tina White, also took on another job to help pay for her daughters education. Its worth it, she says with a sigh. I just want her to get her degree and get a good job. Some students can also count on financial aid to help pay for college. A report by College Board states that although tuition rates have increased, financial aid has increased as well. But What If It cant? Here Are Some Options: High school junior Nazeem Johnson already knows what he wants to do after he graduates. Im just gonna go to trade school to be a me-

chanic or something. You dont need college to become a mechanic, she says with a laugh. The laid-back junior explains that since his grades arent the best, trade school is his only option. Not every kid is going to college. Some will join the Army, some will learn a trade and so on. says student teacher Maya Campbell. Alternative options to the traditional fouryear college route are usually cheaper too. According to an article by CNN, the average price of a community-college education is $3,000, a stark difference from the regular college tuition price. Also, while trade or vocational schools can be costly, there are many that are 60% to 70% cheaper then a regular college. Depending on the program, students can expect to pay between $2,000 and $10,000 a year for tuition. Financial aid is also offered to help offset the cost. And an added benefit to this option is that students will be trained in a specific career, and released into the workforce faster. Some jobs that can be obtained with a vocational education are dentist assistants, auto mechanics, plumbers and beauticians. Other options besides going to college include joining the military, getting an internship and joining other programs like job corps. Symone Succeeds By the end of her meeting with her guidance

counselor, Symone was a lot less edgy. The nowrelieved high school senior mentioned that she plans on attending Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to become a nurse. Even if community college doesnt work out, she knows that these other options are open to her. If this whole nursing thing doesnt happen Ill probably go to Job Corps or something. Whatever I do, Im pretty sure Ill be successful, she says with a smile.

THE DOG FIGHT OVER

PUPPY MILLS
[ By: Cassandra Castelant ]

A puppy mill is no puppy paradise, according to animal rights activist Donna Zeigfinger. Theyre places where dogs are bred and sold to pet stores--underage and sick. The dogs are kept in cramped places some never see sunlight until feeding time, said Zeigfinger who adopted a puppy mill rescue named Rudy. New legislation signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June of 2012 may help improve the health and

quality of the life of animals by adding more regulations to the practice. According to the legislation S7268A, also known as Charlemagnes Law, all licensed pet dealers must have an employee, trained by a veterinarian, available to make daily assessments the animals health and well-being. The law also says that pet dealers cannot sell animals that have been diagnosed with a congenital condition or contagious disease. Dogs bred under conditions described by Zeigfinger typically have health problems such as respiratory infection and anxiety disorder, according to Basia Zamorska, an employee of the Hope Veterinary Center in Park Slope. While there may be new legislation to regulate puppy mills, some may think that the fight is over _ but theyre wrong, warned Zamorska. Puppy mills are extremely hard to regulate... Its easy for them to pick up [crates] and move to a new location, said Zamorska who also advised that any pet store that claim their dogs come from reputable breeders should show

proper documentation. Reputable breeders leave a paper trail, she added. My assistant got a dog online from a reputable breeder. She picked it up from LaGuardia... and the dog has been sick on and off, said Jason Morrison who was en route to a Park Slope pet groomer with his dog Eartha. After much debate and research, Morrison purchased Eartha, a Tibetan terrier, from Citipups, a Manhattan based pet store. Pet breeding has become a contentious issue in the United States because the practice is difficult to regulate. While there is no way to be sure the magnitude of problem puppy mills actually impose, the Humane Society estimates there to be as many as 10,000 puppy mills in the country with 2 million to 4 million puppies born in puppy mills each year. Zeigfinger is the creator of the Facebook page Puppy Mill Rescue Dogs Support, a meetup group in Washington D.C. After experiencing behavioral problems with Rudy, Zeigfinger started the Meetup group at the Washington Animal Rescue League where Rudy was taken after a 2008 raid on West Virginia puppy mill. Raising awareness of the dangers of puppy
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mills has become a personal issue, for Zeigfinger who after losing her father, an animal rights activist, began protesting against the puppy mills. Puppy mill dogs have a hard time adapting to normal life, explained Zeigfinger. Rudy didnt know how to deal with people and he would only respond to my dad, said Zeigfinger, describing the reclusive behavior of 5-year-old dachshund. But with all the negative attention surrounding puppy mills, some pet shops are fighting back and responding to animal rights activists who accuse them of contributing to the problem. Citipups directed emailed questions about the origins of its puppies to the companys website, http://www.citipupsisnotapuppymill.

com, where it explains that dogs sold at Citipups are not from puppy mills. We have been accused of selling puppy mill dogs and abusing our puppies... Citipups does NOT support substandard breeding facilities and in fact partners with some of the best breeders in the country, reads the website. GO AFTER THE REAL PUPPY MILLS, BACKYARD BREEDERS AND INTERNET RIP-OFF ARTISTS THEY ARE THE PROBLEM, NOT US! wrote Citipups in bold print. The page also includes a link to a video entitled, Protesters Acting Like Fools, that shows a small band of protesters outside the store as shelter dogs are being brought into the pet store. Citipups is one of many pet stores who are feeling the heat from puppy mill activists. Puppy City has also had some complaints. In an interview, an employee ensured that their dogs do not come from puppy mills. Its a double-edged sword. On one side there are animal rights activists who want to bring down the amount of breeding. But on the other side its a free

country, said a Puppy City employee who asked that his name be kept anonymous. All our puppies come from reputable breeders that we have relationships with. We meet [them] and they only breed a few times a year, he added. Looking for a pet pup? Just adopt, said Zeigfinger. If that is not an option [shoppers] need to check the place where the dogs parents live. If the owners do not show them where the animals sleep and stay--I would walk away. That is a red flag that they are bad breeders or puppy mills, said Zeigfinger.

The proverbial dust from the 2012 presidential election has settled, but the political frenzy has yet to die down. There were many factors attributed to former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romneys loss, and one of them is the emergence of the Latino vote as a more influential part of the U.S. election. President Barack Obama won the Latino community by a landslide, defeating Mitt Romney 71 percent to 27 percent, according to the data by the Pew Hispanic Research Center. These numbers illustrate the popularity of the Democratic Party amongst Latino voters, as this is the highest percentage of Latino voters won by a Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton back in 1996. This could also show the declining popularity of the Republican Party among Latino voters. Florida, which is viewed as a microcosm of the current political situation for the GOP, has a population of 18,810,310 people, 4,233,806 of whom are Hispanic. Romney won 39 percent of the Hispanic vote, McCain won 42 percent of that vote four years ago and George W. Bush won 56 percent of the vote eight years ago. This is a 17-point drop over eight years for Republican presidential candidates. A record breaking 23.7 million Latino

VOICE IN POLITICS
[ By: Justin Francis ]
U.S residents were eligible to vote in the past election; that meant a little more than 4 million new voters for the Latino community, an 11 percent increase from four years. Latinos made up 10 percent of the nations total popular vote, according to the Pew Hispanic Research Center. Political analyst Tiffany Raspberry offered some insight into the influence of Latino voters on the 2012 presidential election. The Latino vote has grown so much and now people are engaged in voting and they understand the importance of participating in the electoral process she explained. Raspberry also believes that with the voter turnout this last election, Latinos are the new swing vote and that they can and will decide future elections. Also, with an increasingly i m p o r t a n t demographic to appeal to, the GOP is going to have find ways to increase its
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A NEW, LATINO

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appeal. Priorities of the party do not align with the priorities of the Latinos of America, according to Raspberry. She explained that the Republican Party will have shift their focus to hot-button issues within the Latino community if they hope to win them over. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center, 60 percent of Latino voters identified the economy as the main issue in todays politics. Most Latino voters (77 percent) also support offering legal naturalization to illegal residents as opposed to deporting them, a view that has not always been shared by members of the Republican Party. Not only are Latinos enjoying greater political influence, they are also experiencing greater population growth. According to the 2010 census, 16 percent of residents in the U.S are Latino -thats 50.5 million people! Latinos also comprise 29 percent of the population of the Western United States. On top of this, over half the Latino population currently lives in Texas, Florida, and California, all of which are states worth a considerable number of electoral votes in the Electoral College. With these numbers, Latinos have the ability to be a game-changer in political affairs for years to come. Despite the overwhelming support of the

Latino community for President Obama, the rest of the Democratic Party cannot take any votes for granted. One such voter is Humberto Suarez Motta, a community leader in Queens, N. Y. He is part of the minority of Latinos who voted for Romney. The Democratic Party has failed to live up to its promises to the Latino community, he said.

Motta has grown disenchanted with the stagnancy of his community and frustrated with the political blame game played by the two major parties. The party in my area blames the Republican Party, but the Democratic Party in my area has

been in my power for 40, 50 years he says. Motta advocates for the growth of small business, working with Latin America to set up manufacturing jobs, and the creation of a Latino party with a big voice in Washington. He also expressed concern over the fact that many New York Latino teenagers arent finishing high school, and thus will have a hard time finding opportunities in todays highly competitive world. One young Latino who hopes to succeed is 21-year old Queens resident Steven Bettances. This was his first election in which he voted, and he was more excited to be a part of the electoral process. Part of why I was so hyped for the elections is because I knew it was going to be close he said I really didnt want Romney in office, so I felt that it was my responsibility to go out and vote. When asked why he so strongly opposed Romney, he said that he thought that the former presidential hopeful was out of touch with society, and that he just wasnt connecting with him. This is perhaps a wake-up call to the Republican Party. As Raspberry said, The Republican Party, I think its pretty safe to say, will not have a chance of winning a national election until they figure out that the Latino vote is a vote to be taken seriously. With growing numbers, newly galvanized and motivated voters, and a sense of responsibility among the Latino community, she just may be right.

[ By: Cathline Yaya ]

THE GENDER GAP: WOMEN FIND CHALLENGES IN MATH AND SCIENCE CAREERS
and mathematics. Growth in womens share of mathematics degrees at the masters and bachelors levels has not kept pace with growth at the level of the doctorate. The disparity doesnt end with education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 18 percent of employed recent female science and engineering graduates were employed in science and engineering occupations compared to 35 percent of their male counterparts. Lidia Rrika, a physics teacher, believes that social and cultural factors are partly to blame. Rrika says that stereotypes that girls are inferior to boys in science have been instilled into the minds of young women and therefore have pulled them away from careers in the science and math. When I was growing up, I had many people who wondered what I was doing in my biology class. Sometimes they would refuse to help me as a joke to see me struggle. Many of my classmates, who were excellent in the subject, decided to drop out. It was very sad, Rrika
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Sharon Williams had dreams of finishing college with a degree in engineering. But being a woman in a male-dominated field proved more challenging than she thought. I was an engineering major, but being in a class filled with guys who looked down on me because I was a girl, and professors who did not give me the support I needed, put so much intimidating pressure, that I had to change my major, says the 23-year-old college student. Williams experience speaks to just one of the obstacles girls and women face when they pursue studies or a career in science or mathematics. Despite gains made by women, the fields remain male-centric. According to a report by the National Science Foundation, statistics show that womens participation is lowest in engineering and computer sciences. The same report also said that compared with men, women earn degrees at medium to low levels in physical sciences

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said. Like Rrika and Williams, some young female students have felt societal pressures and intimidation when studying in a field that is male-oriented. According to College Board data, high school boys outscored girls by 33 points in 2012, scoring an average of 532 points, compared to 499 for girls. This gender gap in SAT scores for math goes back to the early 1970s, according to College Board statistics. Janett Velez said: Its like a self-fulfilling prophecy. People are going to say youre a fail-

ure at something because of your gender, and then that negativity is going to be in your mind. Its going to put you down if youre not careful. Velez is a graduate of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT. She completed her major in computer science but made a transition in her career to become a social worker. I worked as a database administrator, which was (a) predominantly male (field). The guys there were friendly, but they were also too helpful, as if I dont have a mind of my own to know what Im doing, she said. Velez explained that she wanted to be in a

work environment that treated her as equal as everyone else. As much as I love computer science, I have to disengage myself from it because my work environment disvalue(s) women in its field make things emotionally difficult for me, she said.

RESILIENCE
[ By: Imani Cruz ]
Two years ago, an 11-year-old Bronx girl helplessly watched as her stepfather balled up his hand into a fist and punched her mother over and over again. Shortly after his arrest, she, her mother and sister realized they had to leave their once comfortable home. They were forced to endure the next challenge of their now tumultuous life homelessness. Everyday that I wake up, I feel relieved that I made it another day here, said the now 13-yearold Taylor, who currently resides at the Saratoga Family Inn in Far Rockaway, Queens, a residential shelter for displaced families. Taylor and her family retreated from the Bronx home owned by the assailant out of fear of his release from jail, which may result in further abuse. As of November 2012, in NYC there (are) currently over 20,000 children in family homeless shelters, said Diana Scholl, Senior External Affairs Associate at Homes for the Homeless. This number has significantly increased; in the past year the amount of children in homeless shelters has risen 18 percent, according to city statistics. One out of every 45 children experience homelessness each year, according to a report released by the National Center on Family Homelessness. According to a study of youth in shelters, nearly 50% reported intense conflict

THE FACE OF

or physical harm by a family member as a major contributing factor to their homelessness. Also, a staggering 40 percent of the homeless in the United States are under 18. The tough economy has played a significant part in the reason for so many teens becoming homeless. Homeless organizations are facing the challenge of accommodating more people as a result of the current economic downturn. The severe problem of unemployment and home foreclosures has resulted in many families becoming homeless. Young children in particular can be impacted by the trauma of

homelessness, which affects brain development children have their lives disrupted, by having their routines disrupted, said Scholl. Teens are beginning to learn how to control their own lives and being homeless can be frustrating because its something the teen just cant control, said Dona Anderson, Director of Programs at Homes for the Homeless. Taylor is among those affected: Im always on edge, she admits. Taylor shares a room with her mother and sister in the shelter; the family also has its own kitchen. Scholl said that families often get better accommodations in the shelter system. Single adults have to share rooms while families get their own rooms, she said. But that doesnt help erase the stigma that usually comes with being homeless. The hardest thing about being homeless is not being able to control it, said the eighth grader, who is also frustrated that she cannot invite her friends over to hang out like a normal teen.

8 FALL 2012 NYABJ STUDENT JOURNALISM WORKSHOP

PUTTING THEIR BEST FOOT

After college, Tony Carey knew that she had packed on more than a few extra pounds. But when she told her mom that she going to lose the weight through jogging, her mother looked at her like she was crazy. My mom said, Black girls dont run. If we run, our uteruses will fall out, Carey recalls. Luckily, Carey ignored the biological impossibility and donned her running shoes. She had such great results that in 2009, she and her good friend, Ashley Hicks, formed Black Girls Run (BGR). Their mission -- to counteract figures that show four out of five African-American women are overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human services. Both Carey and Hicks come from families with high levels of diabetes and high blood pressure, two ailments often associated with being overweight. They also experienced the common social issues that lead to health problems in the AfricanAmerican community. We have a lot of soul food in our diet and its just the way we eat, said Jay Ell C. Vaughn, director of public relations for BGR. Its also because of the way black women are with our appearance. Having curves, big hips, and breasts is beautiful in our community. Being in shape, however, doesnt necessarily mean giving up those curves, one of the facts Black

FORWARD
[ By: Naomi Smith-George ]

Girls Run wants to get across so black women can make educated decisions about their health. It is not necessarily that black women dont stay active, it is more [about] black woman not being aware of the importance of staying healthy and active, says Juanne Harris, BGRs New York ambassador. Vaughn pointed to a common excuse she hears black women give for not running: We get our hair

done every two weeks. If you dont have that wash and go or natural hair, its hard for you to say youre gonna exercise everyday. BGR combats the excuse in two ways. It strives to offer a comforting, empowering environment where black women build up each other and work together. Our motto is no woman is left behind, says Harris. Every woman is there to build up the next one. When we run, no one leaves until the last person is finished. Secondly, BGR creates an emotional connection to each runners fitness journey. The women come to me and tell me how they were unhealthy, overweight, and couldnt even run a block but now they can run a 5k race which is equivalent to 3.1 miles, says Harris. They feel confident and positive about themselves, so for me emotionally that just feels so wonderful because I am a part of helping these women achieve their goals. S u r p r i s i n g l y, you dont have to run to be a part of BGR. The program, which has about 2,900 members (up from just 200 three

years ago) caters to beginners through its Couch to 5K project. Its a nine-week progression from walking to running, with the ultimate goal of getting women to the point where they can run a 5K race. You dont have to be an ultra-marathon runner to join this program, says Vaughn. In fact, runners are given medals and feted with a big celebration just for entering the 5K. But more than the medals and the weight loss, its the camaraderie that draws women in. I actually just finished a 5-mile run in Prospect Park, over Thanksgiving break, and BGR was out there and they were cheering, and that made such a difference in terms of thinking Okay I can do this, says New Yorker Jessica Freeman. It was a good show of support in strength and unity. I just really love that idea, because we need more of that.And, so far at least, no ones uterus has fallen out. Black Girls Run has branches and running groups all over the Country. For more information visit, blackgirlsrun.com

TEENS WANT iPHONES,

[ By: Jonette Ishmael ]
Tiara Stephens is a high school senior at Bard High School Early College Manhattan. She can usually be spotted with her eyes glued to her sleek new iPhone 4S during her free time. She dresses in the latest fashions and the iPhone 4S

BUT IS THE LURE FOR FUNCTION OF FUN?

is the latest accessory she holds to complete her look. I wanted to get the iPhone because it was in style and trending and I didnt have a phone at the time that was cool, said Stephens who upgraded from a flip phone to the iPhone 4s.
(continued on page 10)

FALL 2012 NYABJ STUDENT JOURNALISM WORKSHOP 9

The iPhone is the best selling smartphone that has been dominating the industry since 2007. It is a status symbol among high school students, said senior Tyla Dwarica. Teens just want to be down with the get down, they just want to be with the in crowd, thats whats cool to them, she added. Statistics back Tyla up. According to a recent survey released by the firm Piper Jaffray, about 40 percent of teens in the fall of 2012 owned an iPhone -- almost double the 23 percent of teens who owned an iPhone in the fall of 2011. The slim and sleek new iPhone 5, introduced on Sept. 21, has become one of the best selling smartphones in the nation and its popularity amongst teens may have assisted in its record breaking pre-order sales of 2 million phones, shattering the previous record held by iPhone, according to Apple senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Philip Schiller. Like its predecessor, the new iPhone may have been a popular choice among teenagers because its features. I would get the iPhone 5 because of the high tech voice command system, Siri, the picture [quality] and because it has a lot of new updates, said junior Kenya Babb.

In some ways, having a smartphone could a positive academic move for teens. Smartphones are like mini computers in the palm of ones hand that can help teens organize their schoolwork. You can buy books on the smartphone and use Facetime to keep in contact with professors and classmates. The iPhone can also facilitate group work with its group messaging and video conferencing features. But while the iPhone and other smartphones hold great computing power, some students only use it to play games and music. I would get the iPhone entirely for games Angry Bird, and Subway Surfer, said Junior Mahamud Ashik. And some readily

admit to getting the iPhone just to fit in with their peers. I wanted it to

be trendy and because everyone had it, Tiara later added. Some teenagers interviewed for this article admitted that they were unaware of how to use many of the phones features. I dont even know how to get Wi-Fi, or download my own music. I dont even know how to get my phone from iOs 6 to iOs 7, said Stephens. Though many of the iPhones features can be used to study some teens use it for other reasons. I just know the basics, whatever I need for my entertainment, Stephens added. And after owning the iPhone 4S for a year, 17-year-old Jennifer Bravo only recently discovered that the iPhone had different types of vibrations settings. Teens have been snatching up smartphones in order to fit in with their peers at school while ignoring many of its useful features. Adults get the iPhones for the amenities that it offers, teens just get it because its the trend... but parents get it for their teens because it makes them happy, concluded Tyla. After all, parental satisfaction comes from a childs happiness, she added.

BEHIND THE SCENES @ BRIC

10 FALL 2012 NYABJ STUDENT JOURNALISM WORKSHOP

JOURNALISM WORKSHOP STUDENTS

PRESS 2012 PRESS 2012 PRESS 2012

CASSANDRA CASTELANT

IMANI CRUZ

AYANNA DANIEL

PRESS 2012

PRESS 2012

PRESS 2012

SHANTREL DESTRA

JUSTIN FRANCIS

JONETTE ISHMAEL

PRESS 2012

PRESS 2012

PRESS 2012

ASHLEY JOHNSON

BIANCA ROSEMBERT

NAOMI SMITH-GEORGE

PRESS 2012

PRESS 2012

JEREMY VALLE

CATHLINE YAHYA
FALL 2012 NYABJ STUDENT JOURNALISM WORKSHOP 11

WORKSHOP COORDINATING STAFF

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Nekesa Mumbi Moody

MENTORS: Malik Singleton, Christina Carrega, Michael Feeney, Ikimulisa Livingston,Lenina Mortimer, Bob Meadows, Latoya Smith, Tracey Woods, Nicole Ashley, Dwight Oestricher

VOLUNTEERS: Jada Britto, Gabrielle Maple Lee, Claudia Balthazaar, John Carucci, Errol Cockfield

SPECIAL THANKS: BRIC MEDIA ARTS, LIU BROOKLYN CAMPUS

CO-SPONSORED BY LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY (BROOKLYN CAMPUS) Ralph Engelman Chair, Journalism Department

NEW YORK ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS

PRESIDENT: Michael J. Feeney VICE PRESIDENT PRINT: Cyril Joshua Barker VICE PRESIDENT BROADCAST: Cheryl Wills SECRETARY: Gabrielle M. Lee TREASURER: Dwight Oestricher DEPUTY SECRETARY: Christina Carrega DEPUTY TREASURER: Nekesa Mumbi Moody

PARLIAMENTARIAN: Madison Gray

FALL 2012 NYABJ STUDENT JOURNALISM WORKSHOP 12