By Ebony Cain

In the Pico-Union classroom cloaked in the sticky humid, 95 degrees-summer heat, I saw that my research could be used for social change. For the past four years I have been involved in the Santa Monica Futures research project with UCLA's Graduate School of Education. Through this program I have engaged in research related to the sociology of education exploring themes like student access, resistance, and transformation. But it was not until after being denied access to one of the biggest political events, I returned to this community center, doubling as a classroom, that I realized that the research was not just theory and observation. The research had become a living breathing part of all of us.

Through the Futures project this past summer, I enrolled in a seminar called "Youth Access and Democracy". For this seminar I had to go to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and research youth access and participate in democracy. I figured, in a way, Al Gore owed me. Vice President Gore visited my high school following the Columbine incident. The meeting was described as a dialogue between students and politicians to combat teen violence within schools, but Gore conveniently announced his run for the presidency at a press conference in the front of the school where my mom usually drops me off from school. During the dialogue, the vice-president asked what we as a society could do to make students feel more at ease in school. I raised my hand and responded that there are students who are not represented in the curriculum and asked what steps we could take on a state and federal level to make all students feel represented. Gore proceeded to ignore both my question and the round of applause I received from my peers. I guess I assumed that Gore and I would have a chance to revisit that question at the DNC.

A camera crew from CNN documented the experience of our student research group learning about the political system. We strode the long way from the church to the Staples Center; the crew added more access than we would have had otherwise. When we arrived the blockade constructed solely for this event didn’t seem as tall as it had the previous day when we were denied access. With the cameras behind us the organizers had no choice but to let us inside the fortress of staged democracy. Even with a slight victory in our journey for access, we were given the nickel tour and sent on our merry way. We learned no more than we had the day before when we were denied admission into the Staples center. The CNN cameras were an instant admission.

I expected that my passion and willingness to learn about the political system would be recognized. I did not expect to be turned away. When we arrived back to the church the final day, each of us felt disappointment after working so hard for something, and repeatedly being denied. I wanted to give up at that moment and never think about this experience again. As I got ready to leave I glanced out the window of the church in Pico Union where I had spent so much time. I noticed the deteriorating housing, the stray dogs, and the unkept street. For the first time I realized that all us researching the convention could walk away and forget the experience, but the people who lived in that area could not. I realized that although I felt denied at this event and during this process, because of their socio-economic backgrounds and their lack of education, the residents in the neighborhood never had the chance to be denied. They are ignored day after day. The LA County worked hard to sweep away the poverty of the Union residents; a part of everyday life for its residents. Glancing out that window reminded me that my few moments of disappointment could never compare to the experiences the residents endure daily. Access, although not easily gained, is something that is worth fighting for. Through my research and experience at the last DNC, I learned that it is only a reality for some, when it should be a reality for everyone. Four years from now at the next DNC, I will work to gain access for all.

By Mayneth Hernández

Beginning in 9th grade, I became a participant in the Santa Monica Futures Project, a UCLA research program that introduced me and my classmates to sociological concepts such as social justice, social oppression, urban youth access to community learning resources, resistance and global poverty. With my classmates I examined patterns of student resistance and the unequal learning resources available to different communities. As I conducted research I was both academically challenged and personally enriched. I learned to critically analyze my experience as a student of color in an "integrated" high school, like Santa Monica High. My experiences as a critical researcher constantly challenged me to critique elements of our society and government, the school system and the media. But it was not until last summer, during our participation in the Democratic National Convention (DNC), that I had the opportunity to witness some of the hypocrisies of our "Democratic" government.

As part of my experience in the DNC I participated in "Democracy Live," a show broadcasted live through the internet and hosted by two popular actors. I was astounded to see young delegates and I waited eagerly to ask them questions regarding students of color’s concerns. First they introduced themselves and "coincidentally" many of their parents were politicians as well. Unexpectedly the show reflected the politically staged show we had seen earlier at the Staple Center. The panelists took questions from the audience for they expected them to be "normal" questions, in other words relatively simple; but as soon as we began to question equality and livable wages their perplexed faces revealed uneasiness. Furthermore, the panelists opted not to answer them directly, which increased the impatience and fury of the audience. Celebrities hosting the show pretended to give the youth a voice but were ordered immediately to stop.

"Do not take questions from the audience," the director commanded through the teleprompter behind us. A wave of ambivalence and denial invaded me, and the production camera accidentally zoomed in the monitor of the computer and showed that the questions came from the staff. Suddenly all the unbelievable stories, autobiographies, essays, and interviews of people who struggled and continue to struggle for Social Justice, who at a time seemed fictitious for their strong content, came alive when I and others directly experienced the hypocrisy and corruption.

Then I had no question of our corrupt and hypocrite society and government. This tragic experience was like when an infant is told the story of Santa Claus and expects heavenly presents but when the painful truth is revealed the disappointment and repugnance is greatly as well. Afterwards, I was consumed by pain that I no longer cared when I was denied the access to the "Official Convention", because I did not want to be part of farce. I was convinced that it was better to listen to real politicians’ speeches at the Shadow Convention from participants like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Antonio Villairaigosa and join the protests where I was not denied to voice my convictions.

Given my experiences that summer, I felt the necessity to join the journalism staff of my school paper. My articles are mainly based on issues affecting students of color, including ESL students, whose issues are not taken into consideration, and who often times are marginalized. Furthermore, the Spanish column serves as a vehicle for students in Advance Placement Spanish coursers, both native and non-native Spanish speakers, to enhance their reading and comprehension abilities. Although, most of the journalism staff members welcomed the idea; there were a few individuals that disagreed and felt uncomfortable with its relevance. The anti-Spanish columnists’ argument was that not all students were going to read the column in Spanish, since not all the students understand the language; however, it is also a fact that not all the students feel interested to read a particular article. A school paper should reflect all students’ concerns; and if there is no one currently addressing marginalized students’ issues, then who else will?

This past summer, I had an experience that shaped me as a person, and gave me inspiration and insight on my future goals. This prior summer, I attended a four-week research seminar at UCLA, entitled "Youth Access to Education and Democracy in Los Angeles: LA Youth and Convention 2000." The class investigated youth and urban issues of access and the Democratic National Convention (DNC). I participated in this seminar because it was an opportunity to gain real-life experiences and an understanding of issues that affect the everyday lives of urban youth. I interviewed media, demonstrators, and police officers; attended various events such as the Shadow Convention; and marched in protests.

During the week of the DNC, we were denied access, and CNN was there to videotape the whole thing. Eventually, after some hassling, we were given a very brief half-hour tour that did not cover much, if anything. The seminar was held at Angelica Lutheran Church in Pico Union at the time of the convention. Throughout that week, we had a chance to speak with some very influential people such as Antonio Villaraigosa, Reverend Jesse Jackson Jr., former Senator Tom Hayden, and Father Greg Boyle.

For my case study group, I had to interview as many people, such as media personnel or activists, as possible. At Pershing Square, I had a chance to interview Brian Foster of CBS National news and we discussed a controversial and unethical phrase that is used often in the media, "If it bleeds, it leads." While at the actual convention, we were denied access again that Tuesday. Instead of going into the convention, the class got to be in a live taping of a show entitled Democracy Live 2000, which was basically staged democracy at its best. It was meant for "youth to youth" purposes to answer any questions young adults had. The hosts had a stage of young participants in politics and the convention. Questions sent via e-mail were priority, and the hosts seemed to disregard the audience at first. Ironically, the questions from e-mail were from staff members at the DNC, not from youth at all. The audience was getting impatient so the hosts decided to take questions from the audience, and they opened the floor for about four thought-provoking questions before they went back to the computer questions. The cue card even read, "No more questions from the audience please." It was unfair and highly staged; a television program that was supposed to be aimed at youth audiences was silencing the youth voice. This whole seminar broadened my spectrum and it disappointed me how much the door was closed in our faces.

I am grateful for the experience; it has changed my whole outlook of the political system and media. I have gained an inspiration to do something about the problems and issues concerning the government and media facing our youth. I learned one thing in this seminar that I cannot express enough. Stereotyping youth and ignoring our voice is the wrong thing to do. Not all children are going to want ice cream for dinner, some like broccoli. There is no such thing as a generation gap, just ignorance. If there were one, then older teachers would not be able to teach young children. As a youth, I know how discouraging it is to say something and not be heard or considered. With all the doors of opportunity locked or slammed in our faces, it is hard to pick ourselves up each time and push onward; it is an ongoing battle.

I plan to continue moving forward and overcome the obstacles that are yet to come and succeed beyond my expectations. I have gained an inspiration to move forward with my dream of becoming a journalist. I now have determination to do what I believe is right, and I plan to give silenced and misrepresented groups a voice. With this experience, I have grown as a person and emphasized on my strengths as a critical researcher. Now that I am Editor-in-Chief of my school newspaper, I have to deal with a lot of responsibility. My leadership and people skills are put to the test, and being in this seminar has helped me improve them. This seminar has helped me so far in my school year and this experience will continue to help me throughout my life.

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