Voter Protection Key to Legislation Today

At a time when organizations across the country are focused on increasing voter registration, the Student Association for Voter Empowerment (SAVE) has worked hard to make sure that when those newly registered voters go to the polls, their votes will count.

Today the movement to protect our votes will take a giant leap forward when SAVE teamed up with Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois and Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky of Illinois and Congressman Steve LaTourette of Ohio present the Student VOTER Bill of 2008.

Durbin said on the floor:

"The success of America’s experiment in democracy lies in broad participation and deep civic engagement. From the Reconstruction Amendments, to women’s suffrage, to the abolition of the poll tax, and finally the ratification of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, we have witnessed a steady but difficult march toward a more inclusive nation. To realize the full potential of these great strides, the Student VOTER Act provides a pathway to participation for America’s youth.."

SAVE has worked non-stop for 4 years as a national non-partisan, non-profit with a mission to increase youth voter participation by removing access barriers and promoting stronger civic education. They constantly lobby Congress and the Senate in efforts to ensure that the right to vote is accessible to young people and that those votes are protected.

"Voter protection is personal to me,"

said Director and Founder Matt Segal earlier this summer in an interview. He began SAVE after standing in line for more than 12 hours on election day in 2004 to help encourage his fellow students who stood in the cold and rain just to cast a ballot.

"We held umbrellas, we brought them pizza, we got them excused from class so they wouldn't lose their places in line, we did everything we could to ensure everyone who wanted to vote got to vote. Voting is our right, that should never happen again."

Segal says he applauds Senator Durbin and Representatives Schakowsky and LaTourette for their leadership and attention to student voter turnout and the barriers students face when voting.

"All the while many congressional members pay lip service to the idea of increasing civic engagement, it is refreshing to see these members act, and call on our education institutions to be more proactive in getting student signed up and aware of the laws in their various states and districts."

Young voters face some of the most difficult obstacles when it comes to going to the polls.

The Higher Education Act of 1998 was passed in efforts to increase youth participation in elections by requiring that U.S. colleges and universities make a "good faith effort" to register students to vote. This could easily be done at a student orientation or during class registration. But it isn't.

Durbin continued to say on the Senate floor

"Several obstacles stand in the way of youth voting. Because so many students are first time voters, they often are unfamiliar with how to register. In some states, first time voters must register in person in order to cast an absentee ballot. For students who attend college outside of their home state or who do not have access to transportation, these requirements can be cumbersome, confusing, and insurmountable."

Many schools forget about that civic duty. When that happens the partisan groups move in to fill the gap, fighting it out between College Republicans and Young Democrats the groups debate and register students off campus and on. But the result is that some students who remain undecided and independent can become alienated by the partisanship.

The bill would amend existing laws that say colleges would have to be like the Department of Motor Vehicles, which is supposed to ask folks if they want to register or re-register to vote when they get their driver's license or public assistance benefits. The new law would make state colleges and universities abide by that rule. So now, new students would be asked if they wanted to register when they sign up for classes, or get a new student ID for example.

The Student VOTER Bill of 2008 seeks to institutionalize the distribution of voting procedure and register more young people. SAVE's bill will apply a much more up to date standard to the existing 1994 "Motor Voter Act." This can help state colleges and universities, and ensure that all students will have their votes counted.

Forty-four million young people (ages 18-29) will be eligible to vote this November and with the help of the House and Senate, we can move forward to stop disenfranchisement this election year.

Break Bread at the 2008 National Hip Hop Political Convention: Seizing the Time for a Better Tomorrow

I am patiently waiting for my flight to depart at the airport. Where am I going, you may ask? I am the official Rock the Vote/Wiretap magazine correspondent for the third Bi-Annual National Hip Hop Political Convention (NHHPC) taking place in Las Vegas this week. The excitement is building across the country as the Hip Hop generation gears up for the another round of community-building, forward-thinking discussions, provocative panels, informative workshops, as well as showcases and celebrations of the diverse talent and power of the Hip Hop community.

So who makes up the national Hip Hop community you ask? Combine artists, social justice advocates, activists, sprinkle in some music-lovers, community organizers, college students, scholars, add some journalists, backpackers, historians, and insert movers and shakers, interested spectators, heat up and stir. It’s the remix of the “Melting Pot.” Think fondue. Fondue isn’t very Hip Hop, but follow me here. Everyone brings the ingredients to the table to contribute to the luscious pool of ideas. They coagulate to form the national Hip Hop political agenda. The key idea here is that everyone maintains their individuality and uniqueness and only takes from the pot what they need or can share with others. This is a community meal where everyone gets a sample of everything, and only takes what they need. Everyone will convene at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to break bread, engage in defining this agenda and continue building for the future.

Look out for my upcoming coverage, as well as my interview with Rosa Clemente, co-founder of the NHHPC in 2004, and the Green Party’s 2008 VP running mate of Cynthia McKinney. As an incredibly powerful woman and Hip Hop activist, Clemente is incorporating the voice of the Hip Hop community in her candidacy. Seriously, when you call her cell phone, she concludes her voicemail message with “Hip Hop for President.”

Stay tuned. Throughout the duration of the conference, I will be speaking with any number of participants, the NHHPC’s National Partners, Regional Allies, Participating Organizations and Conference Presenters.

Check out Rosa's speech that I saw on June 7, 2008, at the 2008 National Media Reform Conference in my hometown Minneapolis:

Get Money: Should kids get money to get an education?

Kids are not getting paid 'A Milli' like Weezy, but when it comes to passing standardized tests fourth graders are getting paid—ballin’!

Okay their not literally ballin’ like Jim Jones, but Roland Fryer, a Harvard economist, sure has big things poppin’ for these Brooklyn youngsters.

In this “get money” experiment done by Fryer, he is using money to reward students for testing well on a series of standardized tests. Students can earn up to $25 per test, and $250 for perfect scores on all 10 tests. This experiment is part of Fryers’ efforts to see how well inner-city kids can do if they’re fundamentally motivated.

Many critics disagree with Fryers pay-to-educate plan. They believe kids should want to be educated no matter what. But obviously those critics are not practicing what they preach because money is on the mind of all people—even these kids.

When these kids were asked how they felt about people hatin’ on their privately funded program, one kid said that “It’s not hurtin it [their education]. It’s helping.” Another kid stated that “teachers get money, now it’s time for kids to get money for studying hard.”

When minorities in America are testing lower than developing countries, Fryer couldn’t agree more with these kids because they deserve something better.

I agree with the program. I think this is the best innovative idea I’ve heard in a long time to close the education gap. In wealthy neighborhoods kids are often rewarded byt their parents with high priced luxury items like cars, so why can’t city kids be rewarded?

But that’s just my opinion. What do you think? Should kids be paid to get an education?

Finding My Voice 4: I'm trying to find a balance

Many families across the world do not get to experience the privilege of representing at an evening vigil for the survivors of domestic or sexual abuse because they are working tirelessly, all day, to serve you lunch at your favorite restaurant. And many families are not able to rally on Capitol Hill against laws effecting their lives because they are too busy taking care of the community’s children in their home- the place your family may call “daycare.”

Let’s take a closer look at a couple of examples:

• Family A is a role model for all citizens in the community. They attend all Wednesday evening PTA meetings, and take turns speaking at a series of legislative hearings at the Capitol about the proposed new law set to negatively impact the entire school district. Their children are academically successful.


• Family B is seen as incompetent and worthless citizens, who are simply struggling to make ends meet and never manage to get ahead. They can’t attend the Wednesday evening PTA meetings because they collectively work a 20-hour a day shift to support the family. Upon returning home on Wednesday nights, they use their extra time to help the children out with homework and discuss how the economy has impacted the monthly budget.

Still with me? So then, which family has more political value?

Family A is lobbying for new textbooks for the school, while Family B’s nighttime discussions shape and reform worldviews, political ideologies and beliefs. Both private activism and formal education are important.

When I was in college, I had the privilege to study from overflowing bookshelves of words by notable women such as Mary Wollstonecraft, Patricia Hill Collins, Audre Lorde, bell hooks, and Joan Morgan- from feminism’s First Wave all the way to Hip Hop feminism. One day I was doing my reading from Hill Collins’ text “Black Feminist Thought” before class, and broke down in tears. All of this time I was wondering where I got my “activism gene” from. I felt confused because I didn’t know why my family was so politically unengaged. Her words, in combination with all of the brilliant minds that grace my own personal shelves finally clicked and answered all of my burning questions- questions so many had discarded and neglectfully left unanswered. The personal is political? I get it. Survival as activism? Of course! My family’s struggle to provide for me was actually the foundation of my activism.

Prevailing ideas of what is “political engagement” do not typically include what I will call, “the art of survival.” Seriously, it is an art! In that same book, Hill Collins states that many forms of activism that are recognized include “public, official, visible political activity even though unofficial, private, and seemingly invisible spheres of social life and organizations may be equally important.”

This story is only partial, but the journey to find my voice will last forever. We all must continue growing and evolving. I fight everyday to keep my art alive, my activism meaningful, my politics open, and my voice strong. I hope my story has surprised you, inspired you, made you feel something. There will always be obstacles, but like Slug of Atmosphere says, “I’m trying to find a balance, I’m trying to build a balance.”

In the days of Kings and Queens I was a jester
Treat me like a God, oh they treat me like a leper
You see me move back and forth between both
I'm trying to find a balance
I'm trying to build a balance

From Bob Dylan to Jerry Maguire

Today I was thinking about something I heard Bob Dylan say in a interview. Well, I think that he said it- or maybe some one said it about him. In any case what was said was “you cant be smart and in love at the same time.” The quote has stuck with me since the age of 17. Recently, due to a relationship I had and was “smart” in and with my current love/hate/snooze relationship with the upcoming presidential election, the words of the great Bob Dylan -or who ever said it- (I just wanted to name drop. Shout out to my homie Bob Dylan. ) have been bouncing themselves from corner to corner around my mind like an old screen saver on a clunky desktop monitor.

What I came up with is that regardless of whether it is choosing a relationship to be in or picking a candidate to believe in, the motives and aspirations behind both decisions are very much the same. You're hoping that the person you choose will make your life better. You’re hoping that that person will keep their word and not lie to you. You hope that that person will be better than the one before them and not betray your trust or break your heart.

And most of all you hope that person will be there for you for better or for war, in sickness and in health care, till death or final term do you part.

Now, when I think of the ‘you can't be in love and smart’ thing I can’t help but think of it in political terms. If I had a dollar for every time I fell for the pretty popular girl before I really knew who she was only to regret it in the end; well, I won’t say I would be rich but I would be hood rich. Needless to say basing your opinion on looks alone will work just about as well as a condom with a safe sex pamphlet stapled to it. Looks can be deceiving, and so can the looks of politicians.

Politics, like relationships, are about results. Everyone talks a big game, but when it comes down to it we are all looking for some one who is ‘gonna deliver- right? It’s all good if a person/candidate has you at hello but remember to be smart and save your love till they show you the money(aka the results you trusted them to yield). Then it’s perfectly “ok” to pack up the little gold fish in a zip lock bag, leave smart behind, and follow your love/candidate whole heartedly until the credits role. (Jerry Maguire metaphor?! OOOHHH YEEAAA!!!)

DonnY like Hathaway NOT like Darko-

Peanuts and Rock the Vote At ComicCon 2008

Wow! This year at ComicCon was definately one to be remembered. As more than 200 thousand people from around the world joined together with ComicCon, a person could barely walk through the hallways of the enormous Convention Center in San Diego, CA. People from all ages were lined up to see their favorite celebs and animated comic book characters and artists. It was a sight to behold!

To celebrate the new partnership between Rock the Vote and Peanuts, the "You are not Elected Charlie Brown" DVD, will be re-released this October. Also, Rock the Vote and Peanuts are working on creating a mock election were you can go to a special website (http://www.peanutsrocksthevote.com/ which will be up and running in mid August) where you can cast your vote for which one of your favorite Peanuts characters you would like to see as president.

I was able to speak with the cast of the show "Big Bang Theory." I sat with producers and asked them who they would vote for in the Peanuts mock election. Bill Prady and Chuck Lorre had different Choices. Bill chose Linus and Chuck chose Schroder. They both were really intrigued in this mock election along with the rest of the cast. I then spoke with Hot Fuzz and Shawn of the Dead Star, English actor Simon Pegg, who said that if he could vote here in the US he would vote for Linus "because if we let him keep his blanket we would be fine."

Pegg also said that he would not pick Snoopy because he feels he would be too much like a dictator. He then stated that he would ultimately vote for Peppermint Patty because she is such a liberal.

I then got to go to the Peanuts Booth Panel and it was soo nice to see them interact with the fans that were lined up to get their autographs. I was able to talk to Jeannie Schulz, the wife of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. She was really happy to be at ComicCon and she expressed to me that she loves the fact that Rock the Vote is helping young kids to get involved with the democratic process. She also added that she would love to vote for Snoopy because he is just adorable.

Seth Green, who was also in attendance, stated that he didn't know which character to vote for because he wasn't sure if any of the candidates in the mock election were fully qualified. He then laughed as he hugged Snoopy and posed for a pic.

I asked the rest of the Peanuts cast who they would vote for and Sally Dryer said that she would give me five reasons why -if you know what I mean. Peter Robbin said that he would vote for Charlie Brown. Big surprise there. Maybe because its your character, ey, Peter?

Last, but not least, I was able to interview Stacy Kiebler. She said she would cast her vote for Snoopy because she loves dogs and Snoopy is just so adorable. She wanted to send a message to all youth and tell our generation that the youth are what shape democracy. She adds that, "We need to Vote to make a difference."

I must also give a big thanks to AT&T for providing me with the new Blackjack 2 which enabled me to snap great pictures of ComicCon while on the go. This project could not have been the same without it.

Finding My Voice 3: B FRESH Photography

Fast-forward two years.

One day in Chicago, I was snappin’ some photos with a cheapo camera my dad and I went half on. I was taking random pictures of interesting looking sculptures and masks in my partner’s bedroom. I was quite surprised at the “interesting-ness” of the photos, so I showed him some of the shots I took- he was quite impressed. I began taking snapshots at some of his shows and theater productions, at rallies and of my family. I never took any kind of art class, so I didn’t know much about composition, focal points, F-stops and lighting. Yet, I knew what looked good!

My first real photo shoot was with my roommate in college. We designed posters that said “We Will Not Be Silenced.” We had sheets, lamps- the whole nine. I have to really laugh as I look back because it was a two-day long session. I was encouraged to enter the final collage from that shoot into the B-Girl Be visual arts exhibition: The Art of T&A: Truth and Activism. I was so nervous about applying to be in a gallery, and was almost sure that I wouldn’t get accepted. I was artistically incompetent, right? "Non-artists" don’t get into galleries, period. I got lucky, and was selected as one of 39 featured artists. It was over after that. B-Girl Be changed my life, but that’s another whole blog…

Since the exhibition in 2006, I have been actively documenting the Hip Hop scene in the Twin Cities, and have branched out into freelancing and covering theater, political events, doing photo shoots with up-and-coming models, CD covers- you name it, I do it.

I recall the first show I got a photo pass for. I was in Chicago at the time, and I wanted to take pictures at a show at First Avenue. I did a little research about how to get access, so I immediately sent an e-mail to the Minneapolis record label Rhymesayers requesting access. I didn’t think I would be able toget access since they had no idea who I was and I wasn’t getting them published!! Who is this B-FRESH girl???Nevertheless I got a response from them that granted me access. I sped back (don’t tell on me, please) to the Twin Cities. To my surprise, I got a shoot one of my favorite artists, Psalm One, who was ironically from Chicago. I got to the front counter to get my pass and, little did I know, that I didn’t have to pay for the show because I was press. Not pay for the show? What?! I had no idea because I had such little knowledge of the music and entertainment industry. I simply was a passionate music fan, and was trying to develop as a photographer.

The strong mentorship and amazingly talented group of people that I have been able to work with and look up to have given me the support and know-how to go out there and really use my artistic voice!! To date, I have shot artists like KRS-One, N*E*R*D, M.I.A., Saul Williams, EPMD and activists like Angela Davis and Rosa Clemente. Baiscally, if you’ve rolled through the Twin Cities in the last few years I probably have your face on my hard drive.

Can't wait for my B-Girl Be summit blog? Here are a few samplers that will tide you over until then:

2005 video sampler by Rachel Raimist-


2006 video sampler-


B FRESH Photography 2007 blog

CNN: Black in America

If you didn’t watch the Black in America series on CNN then you missed out.

The two-day special highlighted more than Black America. It focused on American issues and solutions to work towards a more unified nation.

CNN discovered the exact problems facing Black America and tried to break down stereotypical barriers that divide races.

This yearlong investigation gave hope to the hopeless. Many tears were shed, many dreams were answered, many relationships were destroyed, some friendships were born and many Americans were at set at ease in this series. CNN examined the lives of many Americans and used their real-life situations to teach Americans about one another.

One touching story I recall from the first day of the series was an organization encouraging a young man to register for high school. This young man dropped out of high school before he completed his senior year. The memorable part was that this organization went to the gentleman’s house and wouldn’t leave until he left with them to register for school. The organization was successful in getting the young man to register but, according to CNN, he did not return.

I admire the work ethic of this organization. Their tenacity and effort to save the future of America's youth is a key method that many organizations, parents, and school faculty should consider. "No” was not an option that this organization was willing to consider- it shouldn’t be yours either.

The show left no questions unanswered. If you did find yourself with a question after a segment, the panel, which was comprised of celebrity experts, touched on it during the recap after the show.

The two-day special was awesome. If you missed it then you're not completely lucked out. You can catch the re-run this Saturday. You can even purchase the special on itunes. Either way, make sure you see it. There's a lot to learn.

At ComicCon

Hey everyone! I will be attending Comic Con in San Diego this weekend. I will be covering the new Rock the Vote and Peanuts partnership. Peanuts and Rock the Vote are holding a mock election so that you can flex your your "voting muscles" before the November election!

The Candidates are:

Charlie Brown

Lucy

Linus

Sally

Snoopy

You can vote online and check out the results on www.peanutsrocksthevote.com, the site will be up and running in August. Check back for more info this next week as we will have interviews and pictures of the 2008 Comic Con , Peanuts and Rock the Vote!

Real Conspiracies

As a huge fan of the X-Files and with the new movie coming out I decided that a fun thing to write about would be real life government conspiracies.

If you've never seen the X-Files you're missing out! It will take the normal, every day person and turn them into a paranoid questioner reciting "Trust No One!" Most times when you hear about government conspiracies they are wrapped in myths about martian rays, the tin-foil hats that protect you from them, government mind control, black helicopters, aliens in Roswell, New Mexico, the JFK Assassination, the list could go on forever.

The most famous conspiracy theorist in my mind was Sen. Hillary Clinton, who, while as First Lady, said that that her husband President Bill Clinton faced an intricate right-wing conspiracy.

If you don't already know, there are a lot of dark, back rooms where people much more powerful than you or I are making decisions that will impact our world.

A good friend I met up with at Natroots Nation this past weekend named Ned Resnikoff is a young blogger from New York. Along with his friend Peter, Ned wrote an article about government conspiracies that actually happened. They're not all tin-foil hat wearing conspiracies!

According to Ned and Peter's piece, there was an actual attempt at a military coup in the United States in the 1930's where allegedly the heads of Chase Bank, GM, Goodyear, Standard Oil, the DuPont family and Senator Prescott Bush were hoping to take over the country. Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler was the one who spilled the beans in a Congressional hearing and everyone laughed him out of the room and denied the idea.

Still, the House McCormack-Dickstein Committee did at least acknowledge the existence of the conspiracy, which ended up never getting past the initial planning stages.

Ned and Peter say you should never trust people named Smedley.

Remember, remember the 5th of November, the gunpowder treason and plot... If you've seen the movie V for Vendetta then you know all about Guy Fawkes and his plot to blow up the British House of Parliament. Each year the British celebrate Guy Fawkes Day in remembrance of the day Britain was saved from Fawkes' plot. It's kinda like their 4th of July. They do fireworks and have homemade ice cream and make up fake Guy Fawkeses and burn them or beat them or blow them up with fireworks. Good clean family fun!

One of the conspirators sent a letter to Lord Monteagle, a high ranking Catholic, which basically said, "Hypothetically, we could blow up Parliament on the day it opens this year. So don't go, hypothetically speaking." This proved to be their undoing, as Lord Monteagle immediately passed the news on to the Secretary of State. The House of Lords was searched, and Guy Fawkes, the man left in charge of watching the explosives, was found and arrested.

New conspiracies are being developed every day, some by the government and some by Ben and Jerry's who retired my favorite ice cream flavors or the Panera Bread Company who no longer offer more than 30 minutes of free wifi during lunch hours.

The key component to a real conspiracy is when someone of power does something to someone who has no power as part of a secret plan to create fraud, commit a crime, or a wrongful act. Which ... well, is just plain wrong.

Many activists who work on causes are people who believe there was some wrongful act committed and those who commited it must be held accountable.

We're seeing this now with the recent arrest of Radovan Karadzic. If you saw the movie The Hunting Party which was based on an article by Scott Anderson that appeared in Esquire Magazine in 2000, then you know the conspiracy theory: no one was really looking for Karadzic to bring him to justice.

Similarly, the International Criminal Court just issued an arrest warrent for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes committed in Darfur over many years of fighting, genocide, and international inaction.

In the spirit of the X-Files, this election season I urge you to keep your eyes open, your ear to the ground and understand issues from all points of view. There might just be a conspiracy afoot!

Picture taken at the Midnight Premier of X-Files movie with my AT&T phone, which I can't believe took a picture of me when it was this dark outside with no flash on it. If only I could hold my hand still it might have not been as shaky.

Education Has A Swag. Understand It!

Neither Senator McCain nor Senator Obama’s approaches on education are cutting it for our generation. It’s one thing to use old school methods and tweak them to fit a new school mentality, but when you blatantly disregard the current times and use old school ideas on a technology-booming generation, then we have a problem.

The whole “No Child Left Behind” idea is a great concept that McCain is trying to keep going, but it doesn’t work! Many who believe that it does work are those who were never left behind and never used the system to catch up. Obama has outshined McCain in the education department. I agree that his ideas are a little more realistic given today’s society but they can still use a lot of work.

Most youth have developed their own education swagger. The motivation swagger doesn’t work for the average child. Well, it doesn’t work for individuals who told me they heard the “college speeches” before, yet, they still felt as if no words of encouragement were going to get them to to the college level.

My personal goal is to save the one’s who are left behind. I think the “umma do me” swagger is the one Senators McCain and Obama should be most concerned with. The youth who have developed this mindset are usually inner-city youth who have allowed mainstream America to shape their beliefs of what is important. Education is usually nowhere near the top of their list. They usually base their swagger off of people they look up to. Sometimes these people are not the best influence; they are people who were there when they needed them to be.

The solution to getting the most sought out swagger to comprehend with education is to use innovative ideas, preferably involving technology, to reach the average child. Using new school realities and situations to teach is the preferred method. Speaking up and teaching about popular issues affecting today's youth--sex, drugs, music, death, AIDS--should not be silenced anymore. What should be silenced in other countries,or back in the day in this country, should not be the same approach during a tell-all time period in America. Let’s use technological advances—mobile phones, computers, internet—to perfect the teaching methods used today.

Change is now and "youthism" is now- not the future. It’s not the time to worry about philosophical issues. That was old school. In fact, we spent years thinking philosophically and not spending enough time thinking innovatively in order to save our left behind youth. Let's find a new approach to get at youth. Throw a curve ball for once, and maybe it will hit out of the ballpark.

Young Voters Matter at Netroots Nation

The yearly convention of progressive bloggers known as Netroots Nation took Austin, Texas by storm this past weekend. Last Thursday, bloggers met in caucuses tailored to their interests where everything from rural bloggers to LGBT bloggers to young bloggers Latino bloggers ... all were represented.

The youth caucus combined bloggers, activists, and representatives from organizations together in a circle to discuss the youth movement, issues that matter most to young people, and best practices when doing outreach to there peers. A major conversation thread was the difference between college students vs. non college students and how we can do outreach to both communities.

Barack specifically addressed the ease of energizing his college campus and the difficulty in finding young voters when they aren't congregating on a 50,000 person campus.

Many candidates and politicians joined in the conference to court the endorsement and coverage of their candidacy from bloggers within their state and nationally. Candidates from California, Florida, Washington state, to Kansas held events and plugged their social networking sites in panel discussions and some broadened the discussion to better ways they can do outreach to the netroots community.

All had an enthusiasm around young voters. Particularly, Democratic National Committee Chairman Governor Howard Dean who spent a few minutes with us and talked about the ways in which he sees young voters making an impact this election. According to Dean, young voters are a key component to the DNC strategy. He plans to drive the "Register for Change" bus through many college towns across the country.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also spent some time with us talking about her faith in young people and her belief that they are not only the future but the leaders on many new communications and technologies. Pelosi said she felt young people truly cared about global warming and the war on climate change.

We ran into tons of politicians from Mayor Gavin Newsome from San Francisco to Joe Garcia running for Congress in south Florida. We talked with Secretary of State Robin Carnahan about voter ID laws and their impact on young voters, and met up with candidate John Powers running for Congress in New York in the Netroots for the Troops room where volunteers were putting together care packages to send overseas.

Even Libertarian candidate for president Rep. Bob Barr stopped by Netroots Nation to talk to folks and sit in on a few panels. Rep. Barr told us he thought young voters were about to impact this election like never before.

As a blogger it was a profound experience to finally meet people I've read for years and discuss important topics that can help me be a more informed citizen. At the same time it was great to just have fun with friends. Many of whom I'd never actually met in person but have known for a year or more. It was a wild weekend! I heard some people even rhode the mechanical bull! Anything's possible in Texas!

Finding My Voice 2: Incompetent disengagement

Artistically incompetent was an ever present term in my mind as I was growing up. No, someone didn’t tell me this, I just felt it inside. In third grade, I realized I was terrible at drawing. In fifth grade, I had a revelation that I couldn’t play the recorder. Struggling to find any joy in the arts, I joined choir in high school to fulfill my fine arts requirement. Sure, I had fun singing Kirk Franklin’s “Riverside” and Faith Evans and 112’s “I can’t believe,” but it didn’t move me like I saw it move others. I still blow a tune gettin’ clean in the shower, and I listen to music 24/7- it is most definitely a passion, but not a “talent.”

Politically disengaged echoed in my head as I prepared to go vote for the first time. I was still in high school, but didn’t know much about where to get more information about the candidates. It was not a Presidential election year, so the youth GOTV efforts weren’t quite in full swing. It truly seemed like an eternity since a “Civics 101” class and I don’t really remember being taught how to be politically engaged or how to be an active citizen. I, like a bazillion other people, got information where it was easily accessible- TV commercials and newspaper articles. Some may call it laziness, but it is a real a question of access and resources, on top of institutional and structural problems within the state/federal system. There is a general lack of genuine engagement of all ages across the spectrum on basic civic participation. I can say this now, but I was very ignorant then.

Ignorance is bliss, right? I am from a family that never uttered the word “politics.” No Wednesday night protests of the war at the Marshall bridge and certainly no dinnertime conversations about the morning headlines. Our family was simply struggling to survive and pay the bills. I was privileged to be able to attend private school but that certainly didn’t come free. I have been an active member of the workforce since I was a sophomore in high school. I worked to help pay for tuition and to be able to buy my own clothes and movie tickets. Everything changed for me when I stepped foot in Minneapolis Community and Technical College. I learned the people’s history of the United States and I learned about social movements such as the American Indian Movement, which was founded right here in Minneapolis! I was angry. I was pissed. My Women’s Studies professor, Carol Hogard, suggested that I channel that energy into something positive. I went that following Wednesday to the Helland Center on campus for my first Sisters for Social Justice meeting. That’s where my activism story begins. Once you get involved, there’s no turning back…

Connected By 25

State, local, and community leaders nationwide are combining resources to connect transitioning foster children to the real world by age 25.

The Connected by 25 program is meant to provide stability and success among foster youth. According to the authors of Connected By 25, Margaret Flynn-Khan and Soumya Bhat, a poor education and a lack of financial resources affects most of the 20,000 youth between the ages of 18 and 21 who leave foster care every year. Of the 20,000 foster youth, 50 to 60 percent of them do not complete high school, while 84 percent of non-foster youth do. Another 10 percent and 30 percent of former foster youth enroll in college, compared to the 60 percent of other youth that attend college.

My shock isn’t at that I think foster children are incapable. Many foster care youth experience school changes and grade repeats due to abuse and neglect prior to and while in the system. Similar to the prison phrase, “once in the system, you stay in the system.” That’s a mental concept I think most foster care children develop. Most children in the system let the word “system” devour their dreams and hopes for success. I know because I use to have that mentality. Between my imprisoned reality and the reality that the world has no sympathy for complaints and excuses, I made sure I did something to extend my capabilities. Education systems are designed to work best for stable living situations and parent involvement. Without either, how can one succeed?

The need for change starts with the system of change—Connected by 25. If you seek change, Connected by 25 presents five financing strategies that support education success programs and services for youth currently transitioning from the foster care system.

The Connected by 25 brief is about working with the necessary systems, and addressing key issues and resources. The brief offers solutions to common problems foster youth face, as well as provides exclusive information to make sure the needs of foster youth are met.

Transitioning is hard when you have so many obstacles getting in your way. This guide is great for answering some of your hardships. To view the guide, please visit http://www.financeproject.org/publications/Education_SB.pdf. If it seems impossible to get on your feet, this PDF is the place to start. If you want to stand on your own by 25, this is the place to start!!! Get engaged in your future and get connected to the real world by 25.

NAS at Jimmy Kimmel

This past week I was attended a NAS out-door mini concert for the Jimmy Kimmel show, right behind El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. To be honest I didn't really know who NAS was until one of my fellow reporters with Rock the Trail, DeNishia Yearby, wrote about him on her music blog. I was intrigued to find out who he was and so I decided to go to his concert and, to my surprise, he is now one of my favorite performers. His music is inspiring and true. It is honest and catchy.

As NAS was getting ready to perform, I asked Mark Labastida, a young NAS fan, the reasons behind his interest in NAS's music. He stated that, "the reason that I like his music is because he is true to himself, he speaks the truth, and he proves he is not a sell out. He tells his audience how things are and how we should not be fooled by the entertainment industry." Mark also added, "the best part about NAS is that he is not blinded by money and that is important for me that he is true to himself and most importantly to US. His messages through his music are what grabbed my attention since the beginning."

Fans were screaming and yelling for NAS to perform his hit song "Hero." As I listened to it for the first time I realized why all these youngsters were happy to be there and see him perform. It was because he was being true to each and every one of us.

"If politicians want to reach the youth for their VOTE," another NAS fan stated, "you must be true, ya' hear."

DemROCKracy Band Competition-- First Round Winner!

Congrats to the super awesome Jackie V who won the first round of artists who won the DemROCKracy Band Competition!

If you don't know Jackie V you are missing out. She's 18 years old this year and has gone above and beyond to register voters on her MySpace page as well as in her community. She's been playing the piano since she was a little girl and now plays some edgy pop with a jazz twist all over Austin, Texas.

We caught up with Jackie today to present her with her beautiful new Gibson Guitar and encourage her to keep up the good work to get to the big Rock the Vote Concert Extravaganza in August!


Check out Jackie as she receives her guitar:

You be the Judge!

In the teen film American Teen we see that kids fall under peer pressure a lot and they start making decisions that ultimately affect the outcome of their lives at the end. Who would of thought that there would be a slight chance that peer pressure might have an influence on the outcome of this election. But you should be the judge!

This past weekend both Obama and McCain spoke in front of Latino representatives and elected officials about immigration. For both candidates it is crucial that they receive the Latino vote in order to win the 2008 Presidency.

According to AFP, “Obama told La Raza on Sunday that McCain had changed his position on immigration to win votes from conservatives during the Republican primaries.” John McCain stated, “I do ask for your trust that when I say, I remain committed to fair, practical and comprehensive immigration reform, I mean it.”

Once November rolls around and Latinos head to the polls, they are going to elect an individual that will make this nation better. Whether it is McCain or it Obama the truth is that one of them has a large task to accomplish after his inauguration in January.

Both Obama and McCain have promised that an immigration reform will be an important issue to resolve. Whether or not they keep their promise is something we will have to take a risk on.

Finding My Voice 1: What's good in the hood?

You may be wondering, Who is this B FRESH girl? and What will she be covering? Let me start with a few basics: First, the most crucial factor in my reporting with Rock the Vote is that I will cover issues, people, organizations, movements and perspectives that other journalists may be afraid to call out and dive into. They must be preoccupied by the glitz and glamour of the shiny, sexy stories. Don’t get me wrong, I sometimes enjoy a glamorously sexy story but I will not be sidetracked by the bling.

Second, I am passionate about talking to YOU, following YOU around and learning YOUR story- the real story. Third, I recognize the power of our generation to sway elections, alter perceptions, shift paradigms, and put an eraser to the negativity that we have endured. We can make a difference, and demand our voices be heard.

I want you to join in and demand that media no longer demonize, criminalize and misrepresent youth. Whether it be talking with your friends about issues that your community faces and how you can create change, joining in at a local rally, or simply sending a text message to a friend to let them know what the deal is, stay active and engaged.

I will thoughtfully examine heavily covered issues such as police brutality and gang violence, but not in the way you might expect. Looking back, I have lived all of my life in the city, love the hood that has nurtured me, and respect the people I have had the privilege to learn from.

I am witness to the deception game the media has played and want to share a slice of the gritty and beautiful truth through my pen and lens. When I bring you stories about police brutality and they will be through the eyes of those who live within the aftershock of Monday’s year-to-date murder statistic headline, daily.
I will report about how youth are responding, and what is being done in our communities to address the root causes. When I highlight the lives of young people in gangs who may be hangin’ on the corner sellin’ dope, I will explore dreams, aspirations, and the systematic and institutional sources of injustice, racism, sexism, classism etc.

I look forward to covering the hottest shows and sharing interviews with local and national celebrities on the issues young people care about. I will be reporting live from the 2008 National Hop Hop Political Convention, the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, as well as other fresh events. I am excited to share with you exclusive photos and video that will shine a ray of positivity on this drab parade.

So, I leave you with a few questions to ponder: Do you want to hear about what soldiers are doing after returning from overseas, about the dopest youth organizations making things happen, and politicians that really care about what you have to say? Then stay tuned, and keep an eye out for my convention music videos...

Pause for the Cause

I recently had an interesting conversation with a democrat and a republican that bothered me. I feel that since we are nearing the presidential election that it is ok to pause from my normal beats to focus on this issue.

While hanging with a diverse group of friends, I had one friend state that he is voting for Barack because simply because the senator is black, while my other friend said he is voting for McCain because he is a republican. This caught my attention because I didn’t see a strong reason why either would chose to vote for their candidate. Then, it hit me. I googled (as always) both "youth" and "voting" and most of the topics that came up focused on getting youth to vote instead of encouraging youths to value issues that would encourage them to vote.

Exercising your right to vote is good, but finding the right reason(s) to vote is even better. Voting isn’t like deciding between a pair of shoes or betting on your favorite sports team. This is a very serious issue that decides the fate of our country whether you believe it or not.

I’ve heard the excuses that the “candidates aren’t including the youth,” but if we don’t give them a rational reason to really reach out the the yoth vote then they will never address our needs.

We should be so in tune with this election that democrats vote for a republican because their views are stronger and vice versa. I’m not saying vote outside of your political party. I’m saying that it is important to actively engage in both candidates. The opposite party may have a platform better for your future, or maybe even your party—I don’t know.

Here’s a simple solution I found that works for me. Find issues that matter to you—economy, environment, violence, abortions—and see which candidate’s platform fares the most towards your needs. If one candidate, despite party affiliation, has more to offer you as far as your needs are concerned then you have created a legitimate reason for backing that candidate.

Don’t let your parents, friends, or respective political party choose how you cast your vote. Don’t let the media influence your vote. While their opinions are always great in helping to make you aware of the issues at hand, use those opinions as grounds to help you decide. Do NOT let the opinions of others make your voting decisions for you.

The Subprime Blues

The US Senate passed a housing and foreclosure prevention bill last Friday. This is in effort to stop the growing foreclosures on homes and families in crisis. The bill would create a $300 billion government-backed foreclosure prevention program and increase oversight of major government backed lending institutes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

However, this Monday the Federal Reserve announced the approval for a "final rule for home mortgage loans." The Fed says this final rule "prohibits unfair, abusive or deceptive home mortgage lending practices and restricts certain other mortgage practices. The final rule also establishes advertising standards and requires certain mortgage disclosures to be given to consumers earlier in the transaction. "

But according to a CNN report, consumer groups believe these new regulations

"contain too many loopholes, allowing reckless lending to continue. Industry executives say the proposals place too great a burden on lenders and will prompt them to further restrict credit."

Oklahoma RoseRock Bank Senior Vice President Sue Pyle says the home foreclosure crisis and new guidelines will have a major effect on new home buyers, who are often young.

"These new changes in the underwriting guidelines make things more difficult for first time home buyers," Pyle says. "When a loan application is submitted it's reviewed in much more detail with more financial documentation. What could have been approved in the past may not be today."

One monumental item Pyle says, is the increased importance of a buyer's credit score. With recent changes the minimum requirements have been increased substantially.

"If you missed a few student loan payments, which resulted in your score being lower, this could prevent you from being able to buy a house. It wasn't that tough in the past."

In addition to requiring a higher credit score, the minimum down payment required has gone up.

"We are seeing guideline changes where a great deal more financial documentation is required including deposit statements, pay stubs, with many more items being verified and re-verified than in the past," she says.

She describes a client who recently submitted 2 years of tax returns, 2 years of W2 forms, 2 recent, consecutive pay stubs, a verbal verification of the borrower's employment was completed by the mortgage processor, as well as another verification by the mortgage underwriter. This example was a home buyer that had very high credit scores and sufficient down payment funds Pyle explained.

"Even after all of that," she said, "the mortgage investor re-verified employment after the loan closed. In the past new home buyers could get a home loan with zero money down and the only verification of employment completed was one pay stub. Many changes have taken place. All home buyers, including first time home buyers, have been effected."

The changes are also causing problems for all residents who are renting homes. Investors renting homes also have stricter requirements, like bigger down payments. These end up being passed on as higher monthly rental payments. At the same time, some homeowners buy a property at an adjustable rate. This means as time goes on the interest rate on the loan fluctuates up and down and can influence the cost of the payment on the house. If someone is renting that house it means their rent can go up and down, too.

A story about local rent prices near Howard University was posted in the Hilltop Online. According to local resident R'Keim Young the cost of housing was so much that he had to go back to living in the college's dorms.

"Within the last two years, prices have risen significantly," Young said. "The same houses that were about $500 monthly have now gone up $300 more."

Housing foreclosures on younger families also have a critical impact on children. According to First Focus, a Washington DC based organization that advocates on behalf of children

"An estimated 2 million children are directly impacted by the subprime mortgage crisis as their families lose their homes due to foreclosures."

First Focus's recent report shows:

• "Due to the increasing number of foreclosures, school districts across the country are experiencing increases in the number of homeless children entering their classrooms;



• Children impacted by the mortgage crisis are likely to experience excessive mobility and as a result are only half as likely to be proficient in reading as their peers. Moreover, they are much more likely to be held back and eventually drop out of school;



• Children forced from their homes experience behavioral problems, such as increases in violence."

The crisis has inspired a number of comedic mash-ups. This one, from NauticalFilms, features the Rambo solution, and BillyBobStewart brings us The Subprime Blues.

Watching the news with My Papa

I have always been a fanatic of the 6 o'clock news on Univision. "El Canal 34" as it is called, has been part of my daily life since before I can remember. Even after all these years it has changed little in its tone or the way in which it is produced. But recently, I have felt that all channels in both English and Spanish networks have something in common. Actually, the commonality between the two is that they have a common viewer- my dad! My father, who is going to turn 65 on July 24th, came to the US when he was 25 years old. If you are wondering if he came here illegally, the answer is yes. But that was some thirty years ago. I am very glad that he did because if it weren't for both him and my mother I would not be here today.


There are many people just like my father that watch the news in both Spanish and in English. These same people help shape the Chicano culture by just watching the news! They have guided their families to be multicultural and have helped their children to become prominent leaders in our communities. Minorities, who have adapted to new areas and made it their homes, help their communities by having local businesses that also promote cultural diversity. They are all people who have contributed to our communities in many positive ways.

So, I leave you with this: I will introduce you to people who I feel, no, who I know, give their hearts and souls to the communities they live in and who are proud of where they come from and who they are. These people value their culture as much as their future and contribute to their communities just as much as they contribute to their families. People like my parents are so happy to be part of this country and to be able to vote and still represent their culture at the same time. Being an American citizen is part of the American Dream and when the people of our community achieve that dream they strive to demonstrate to society that it is because of people like them that this country is a better place. So, IF you know somebody who meets these qualities, post a blog and let us know about them. There are millions out there who truly are unrecognized heroes and we should give them the recognition that they deserve.

If you are still wondering if I watch both English and Spanish news, the answer is yes. You can find me right next to my dad flipping the channels back and forth between Univision 34 to KCal 9.

Thanks,
Jocelyn “Josie” Sida

CELEBRITY BLOGGER: Megan Krizmanich

For Americans, voting is a priviledge. All people have a voice that deserves to be heard. One song that inspires me to push to have my voice heard is "Bloody Sunday" by U2. It is an overtly political song that describes the horror felt by a bystander. The song begins by saying, "I can't believe the news I heard today" and you come to find out that what the person has just overheard is the same news that they have been hearing over and over again for quite some time. Yet, it is apparent that nothing is being done to change those things that they keep hearing about.

War has been prominent not only in America but all throughout the world for hundreds of years. We continue to let war be a part of our world and we put up with having thousands of our soldiers become casualties—but what have we gained? Bono's lyrics inspired me to become active in politics because I believe that my voice can be heard and that I, too, can make a difference.

-Megan Krizmanich, American Teen

From Bunny to Dinosaurs

In my world, things pertaining to the upcoming Presidential Election are about as up in the air as a fluffy cloud turning from a bunny to a dinosaur right before your eyes. Yet, you know what they say, in every bizarre cloud is bizarre silver lining.

For me that bizarre silver lining is the most recent New Yorker cover with cartoon versions of Barack and Michelle Obama doing the now infamous “Fist bump.” It portrays Barack dressed in a turban and sandals and an afro-ed Michelle in boots and army pants with an AK-47 hanging off of her shoulder padded arms.

If you take a sec to look at the pic, things start to reveal themselves to you like one of those “which one of these things doesn't belong’’ panels you used to find in coloring books. For instance, in the background of the New Yorker cartoon there is a picture of Osama Bin Laden on the wall over a fireplace where the American flag is burning.

When I first saw it I couldn’t help but let out a: ‘Word?!’ Confused is a severe understatement of my initial shock. The picture looks like it was done by one of those guys that you would find at a local fair who draw manic smiles on over sized heads that are supposed to resemble celebrities. (If you give him 15 bucks he will draw you hanging out of a tiny car waving with one hand and holding cotton candy in the other.)

People don’t seem too happy about the picture and I’m sure it will be ripped off of the magazine's bindings. It will most likely also be tacked on many a bulletin board confirming many different things for many different people. For some it will be a affirmation of their fears, for others it's a confirmation of their prejudices and for any one with a twisted since of humor its just a funny picture.

The dudes at the New Yorker seem to be sticking by the picture. I have a sneaky feeling the New Yorker is getting exactly what they want- a bunch of free press.

-The Don Don Mon

DeNishia's Beat: Foster Care

I spent most of today and yesterday thinking about ways I could start blogging about my K-12 education and foster care system beat. Both topics are very important to me, and I wanted to make sure I presented them in a way that would make you understand why. I concluded that I wanted to make this blog different than any other blog I will write and you will read. I want to start with a short story of my personal experiences that I have never shared with anyone online. You are getting the exclusive, deep down 411 on me and why I value these topics. Prepare yourself because some information may shock you. You ready?

Today I googled my name and a new listing was available that wasn’t there the night before. I immediately clicked on “Starting Early for a Lifetime of Success”, a PDF written by the Director of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Bryan Samuels. I scanned the document for my name and found it in the third column entitled “Importance of Early Childhood Centers.” I had a flashback after reading a section that quoted, “I can still remember in first grade, kids calling me stupid and saying things like, ‘We learned that in preschool!" That was my quote that recalled what my peers said to me. I felt dumb going to school for the first time at eight-years-old, in the first grade. I questioned my intelligence because I didn’t know how to spell my name or count up to or past 10.

I was already being stereotyped as a ghetto black girl from the south side of Chicago. I was told I didn’t have the “it” factor to make it in a north Chicago suburb. I had a lot of negative emotion built up. It was just enough to encourage me to take action against words that tried to tear me down.

I refused to let “stupid” remain a word people used to jokingly describe me, so I stayed in during recess and got intensive academic attention. I am proud to say I rose from no education, to completing honors courses in high school and now I'm entering my fourth year of college.

Most people would call my rise to educational success luck, but I call it grace. I write, advocate and live my life as a living testament that all things are possible when you put your mind to it.

Director Bryan Samuels said it best when he said, "Most students who start behind stay behind, and most children in the foster care system start behind."

I don’t know why that is, and during my time with Rock the Trail I will do my best to find the answer. I do know that no one should lose hope. Starting ahead can increase your cognitive, social, behavioral and physical development, but it’s OK to start behind as long as you start. Remember the Tortoise and the Hare? The Tortoise may have started slow and steady, but he won the race!