Alexandria Barabin's Blog

Facebook vs. Myspace? Wait, how much money do you have in the bank?

SoCapAlex — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:13:58 EDT

An article is up today on MSN's website about the difference between myspace and facebook, with a slant. Who uses the one over the other? Not an unusual question, especially for market reasons. But when that question is based on class, my discomfort begins to set in. When I initially saw the article, I decided to click on it because I thought the question of class had more to do with a person's year in college (senior, class of 2007). Silly me. Of course it had more to do with financial classification. And according to these particular researchers, rich, more affluent young folks are on facebook, while the poor and working class, to use their terms, stick to myspace. They go on to site some statistics about the recent increase and decrease in membership from both social networks. Although there has been a surge in membership on facebook, the stats they provide do not seem to reflect class; they basically say that facebook is growing in popularity. There information comes from a researcher who interviewed 190 people to get there information, and of course, they don't say what the class or racial dynamic is of this sample group or how it relates to the outcome.

All and all, this article lacked real evidence that any of what is being said is true. It deals more with ad revenue than anything else. To attach a class zoning to millions of people who use these social networks based on seedy evidence kind of sucks, for lack of a more appropriate word. And it wouldn't be such a big deal if there weren't so many of us who use these networks to communicate with others, network professionally and socially, and honestly, manage our lives. Employers are using them to do background checks now. You can investigate people you are in relationships with, and so on. You get the idea.

As a person who comes from a working class family, I have never had a myspace account. Shocking, I'm sure. I only have facebook. Most of my friends, from mixed incomes, have both or only myspace. I have many upper class friends that spend money to "pimp their page" so that is looks exactly like they want it to. Although facebook is changing, you don't need to pay to have features added. I think that alone would and does attrack students on a strict budget. In my experience, many people choose to use one or the other based on age or level of school in college. When I joined facebook, I had maybe 40 people as friends because most of the other students, especially those on the west coast, didn't really use it. A year later, those same people became members of facebook and wanted to add me as a friend because they were tired of complaining about how outrageous myspace had become. They said they were "too grown" for all of that.

In any case, facebook is growing, whether that has to do with classism or not. Because of that growth, it is changing dramatically, and many of us are ready to move on to the next thing when it starts up before that gets played out too. (Remember Black Planet?)

So what are your thoughts?

I personally like facebook better simply because the people you have as friends are much more likely to be people you actually know. What a thought! Friends you are actually friends with. I know other people really enjoy the creativity of myspace. What do you think?

Jamaican Fest Tomorrow-Free to Attend!

SoCapAlex — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 15:10:56 EDT

Jamaica’s 45th Anniversary Celebration

This is going to be fun. Jamaica is celebrating 45 years of freedom this year. To commemorate this event, the Embassy of Jamaica in DC is celebrating with events all weekend long here in DC and Maryland. Events are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But the Festival is going to be the show! It is free to attend, which everyone knows is so important to me. There will be Reggae performances by SHAGGY and other groups. Here is the link: http://www.embassyofjamaica.org/events.htm

This is the basic information for Sunday.

Independence Sunday Market
An all-day Jamaican festival

Live Music including
> Jerry D
> DJ Sprang International
> Image Band
> Bare Essentials
> Bob Andy
> Shaggy

Jamaican Food, Art & Craft on sale

Sunday, 5 August, 1pm
Gardens of the
Organization of
American States
17th St. and
Constitution Ave. NW,
Washington, DC
FREE ADMISSION

Getting It In: Running the Streets of DC before our time is Up

SoCapAlex — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 14:41:03 EDT

Talk about an eventful evening. As my time here is winding down, I am continually feeling the urge to do more and see more, even though I am tired and my budget is exhausted as well. But trucking around the city still seemed like a good idea after a very relaxing afternoon in the National Sculpture Garden for “Jazz in the Garden.” By the way, every Friday from 5:00-8:30pm, there is a jazz band or group that performs for free. Bring a blanket and relax after a long week at work. Check it out.

http://www.nga.gov/programs/jazz.shtm

But back to my evening. I am an eclectic person, and it just became much more apparent to my friends how true that is. After we relaxed with our jazz ensemble, we walked the half mile to the Washington Monument, which I had never taken interest in before because it is the white phallic symbol of the US, but I digress. We took pictures and enjoyed the beautiful view of the city we had. Carried by the warm, night breeze, we ventured down to the World War II Memorial and took pictures of our state stones.

However, surrounded by all these statues and tributes to the U.S. armed forces and other historical deviances, I felt that it was time to move out of the tourist space and into the real DC, where people actually live. Where else would I go first? U street! A quick stop at Twin Jazz found another jazz band cutting up, but with a $25 minimum, I wasn’t feeling it. Don’t they know interns like good music too? So we moved on, just three doors down to the 14th and U Café which had their own jazzy thing going on, with no cover or minimum. My friends and I headed inside and soaked up the sounds as chi-lattes were being served. We decided to escape a little and headed back to a small room that looks like it had once been someone’s office or study. Surrounded by pin cushion leather and fabric chairs, dusty books, a park bench and mustard yellow distressed walls, the atmosphere catered to our whims, and we settled in. I pulled out my weekly City Paper, which is really good for finding stuff to do if you think there is nothing going on, which is hardly ever true in DC. Check it out. http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/

My friend pulled out a book she needs to finish reading by the end of the summer so she can begin her thesis, while my other friend pulled out paper and pen to begin what is sure to be a great poem one day.

After spending about an hour there, we closed the place down as the last customers and headed up to Adams Morgan for some $5 Jumbo Slice pizza. Although you could catch the bus, the walk is always worth it to me. I like the vibe. Plus, the walk makes me feel slightly less guilty about my consumption for the evening. By the way, Pizza Mart is the best in my opinion on that block.

Deciding that we really wanted some more quality time with books, we headed up to the Red Line to go to Kramer’s Bookstore, which stays open 24hrs on the weekend (how great is that!). Located in Dupont Circle, Kramer’s is an off beat bookstore, café, bar and restaurant. We asked to sit in their outdoor seating and enjoyed the warm air, nachitos and peach cobbler. At 3am, we were done and called it a night, only to remember that we had a rigorous walk from Dupont Circle to Foggy Bottom because the train stopped running. It was fine though. No rain or summer death heat? I can get down with that. Needless to say, we all slept as soon as we got inside. What an evening! If only all weekend nights were like that.

Bridges and Leeves Broken by Conservative Savings

SoCapAlex — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:48:40 EDT

Before I go all political rant, I would like to just take a moment to acknowledge the lives lost due to correctable human error this week in Minnesota. Darn, I couldn't even get through the first sentence. Okay, let me try again. Let's have a moment of silence for the deaths and injuries of so many unsuspecting drivers who thought their tax dollars might have gone to things like, oh, securing a major bridge in the city that they live in.

Sorry. Can't really get it out the way I planned. It is just so upsetting when lives are lost due to known structural damage that those appointed or elected to positions of control and power refuse to address.

Granted, natural diasters and unknown elements can make a problem much more difficult to solve or respond to in an emergency. However, when these tragic situations occur and some head honcho somewhere has a report sitting on his desk that provides warning of the issue at hand, there is a real problem.

According to some news reports, this bridge was reported as in need of major repair in 2005, yet stll classified as safe. Ridiculous! The same with the levees, but who wants to bring that up now? I mean come on. We're in 2007 for goodness sake. Aren't we over that Katrina thing? And in a few months, maybe a year, people may very well say the same thing about this bridge. And i find a problem with all of that.

Nationwide, there is all this structure damage just sitting a waiting for the right calculation of events to create another tragedy. And folks will be in the mist of it, trying to figure out how they fell into this "bad timing."

What is the meaning of this widespread neglect that is costing people their lives? The bottom line is MONEY! What else?!

And what true value is money when people are loosing their lives? I am sure there is a depreciation in its value.

Part of this progressive agenda needs to include attention to unattended structures that have been neglected in exchange for conservative fiscal spending.

I know that this incident is going to impact many in DC because, in addition to its regular inhabitants, DC is composed of people from around the country (and world but that is a different blog). Many of these folks have family near Minnesota or the surrounding areas. My heart goes out to them and their families.

Now, for that much needed moment of silence (may your soul find rest).

Which Dispenser Do You Pull From?

SoCapAlex — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:10:08 EDT

Which paper are you reading?

I am not a regular news kind of person. I can go days without knowing the details of the outside world. Internet news? It’s okay. And I don’t trust prime time news hours, so that is pretty much out. But I know that part of dealing with politics and creating change is knowing what is going on in the world. After speaking with several co-workers who are in progressive politics full time had a regular list of reads.

CNN and Google alerts were pretty popular. The New York Times was on the list, as is easy to imagine. But, a new, yet regular name that kept coming up was The Politico. Although new, the newspaper has seemed to quench the thirst of those looking for daily forms of alternative media sources. As recommended by the vice president of the progressive organization I work for, I read The Politico pretty much everyday. They usually have a paper Monday thru Thursday. But, there are days when I go to the blue dispenser next to the other newspapers, it has been empty on occasion at 8am. Other than that, the articles are really edgy and focus on progressive, Democratic politics. They also have job postings at the back for those interns looking to stay in the District. Interested in left wing political news on your way to work? Pick up the Politico.

Come Claim Yours! $12,000!!!!!!!!!!

SoCapAlex — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:37:06 EDT

…a year is not nearly enough. Today’s Examiner newspaper totes a story about the increase in federal minimum wage to take effect tomorrow. It will rise from $5.15 to $5.85; an increase of a mere $0.70. Where do I begin to talk about the problem with this scenario?

First, an increase that amounts to less than $1, while still an improvement for those making minimum wage, is not suffice. It’s not even close to suffice. Federal wages set the standard for states. With such a meager increase from the federal government, it is likely that state governments will feel they have been given permission to follow that same sorry example.

Second, this is the first increase in a decade. That’s ten years for those who hike up their eyebrow when you see that word. Ten year wait should not equal seventy cents. Come on, that’s a mess. In the article, all the officials quoted said they knew the increase wasn’t enough. So, if everyone is aware that this “boost” a bit less than a lift, why can’t more be done about it?

The federal poverty line is marked at approximately $10,000 for a single-person income. With the new wage increase, that would pull full-time workers making $5.85 out of the poverty basement with an annual income of about $12,000 a year before taxes.

As a person who is a stones throw away above the poverty line, I know that more should be done in this area, and on the heels of this “win” I hope that I can be apart of a downward snowball effect to continue the improvement of the situation. It also makes me really grateful that I work in a pretty progressive state on wages, which stays a couple of dollars ahead of the federal minimum (Calif.)

One really important note to make is that the seventy cent increase is a rolling one, occurring every summer for the next two years ending in 2009. At the end of the rolling increase, the federal minimum will be a reasonable $7.25, getting closer to decent.

Author and former union VP Beth Shulman recommends her book, The Betrayal of Work: How Low-Wage Jobs Fail 30 million Americans . It sounds really interesting. But retail priced at $25.95, it would take me, a minimum wage earner five hours to make enough to buy it, so I’ll pass.

Where is Your Passion?

SoCapAlex — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:34:34 EDT

Anyone who calls themselves an activist, a person who fights for social change, an advocate, a progressive, a community builder or any other related titles, you need to watch this clip of this amazing woman in North Carolina. Even if you don't communicate in her particular style, we all can learn something from her fiery passion. I know I did. And if you seek to make politcal and community change, but not really, she will call your bluff so be ready, because she certainly called mine. Let me know what you think and share the link if you beleive she has something important to see.

This speech takes place at the national Take Back America conference in Washington, DC in June of 2007 at a youth issues forum comprised of youth activist explaining the issues they address in their work as youth social changers. Ya'll, she shook the whole room up and had me in tears.

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Just Who Do You Think You Are? Fighting for Rights in DC Right Now!

SoCapAlex — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 11:45:14 EDT

This sounds so amazing. I think out-of-towners should attend to show support for the people who live here year around. That goes especially to those who work as interns in progressive political organizations! What does it really say of us who work to make change all over the U.S. and even internationally if we come to an area where basic "American" fundamentals like, oh, voting or voting representatives don't exist. It is more than just a license plate, and if we come here for the summer trying to change or impact the nation but overlook the disparities sitting outside our doorstep, who are we really? Or better yet, who in the world do we think we are? This simply began as a comment to Zach’s post (Hi Zach). Now, it is a battle cry for those who see people like us, who come every year and descend upon their city to take resources, take skills, take knowledge. Now, this is a call to arms. If all we can do is take, take this personally, for the people who serve your lunch, pick up your trash, secure your buildings, work in the cubicle next to you, manage your office and live in the apartments and brownstones you pass by on your way to work day in and day out. They need your voice, your presence because they have been continually overlooked by the U.S. Are they overlooked by you as well? I hope not.

Toilet Seats Uncovered

SoCapAlex — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 08:43:46 EDT

What is going on in DC’s public restrooms? I was at the Smithsonian museum this weekend, attending the Folk Life Festival, and I might have written about that except for this huge disturbance. I went to the women’s restroom to find that there were no toilet seat covers available. And this is not to imply that they had run out, and the dispenser was empty. No, no. There were none being provided, and I am doubtful that there have ever been any at all. But, the Smithsonian is not the only place that is lacking. I have been to several venues since I’ve been in this city that do not contain the all important germ shields. Now, I didn’t expect much from the restaurant with 25 as their maximum capacity seating, or from the bus station facility. But, it’s the Smithsonian in the Nation’s Capital! It’s one of the most respected museums and a huge tourist site. All those bottoms on the seats and no convenient layer of protection? Union Station was a disappointment as well. I am outraged! Are toilet seat covers a luxury that I have simply grown accustomed too? This should not be the case. Even at work and other office buildings across town, the maintenance personnel may have splurged and made one dispenser available for several stalls near the paper towels that you must pick up before entering your stall. It’s all, just, too, much. Actually, it’s just not enough...toilet seat covers. Because of this phenomena, I must now carry around a personal stash of them in the travel size containers. And I suggest others do the same. About $1 at your local store; check the travel aisle. It might seem frivolous to some, and maybe I'm the only one. Has anyone else noticed this?

Reality Movie?

SoCapAlex — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 03:19:57 EDT

So, I am a movie lover, and I love being able to go to the movies to suspend reality. That becomes a bit more challenging when the movie is based on a scenario right in your own yard. Live Free or Die Hard was an action packed film with lots of special affects anc complex situations. But as I am currently living in DC, it was difficult to watch when the ideas were based on some things that could really happen, in DC. They used historical images in Washington, DC to magnify the situation. Other surrounding locations were in Marlyland and West Virginia. It was a bit odd watching mayhem occur in places that I pass daily in route to my internship. It just didn't sit well with me. And I couldn't figure out why. Then, of course, it made sense. Many of us come out here for a measured period of time to learn how to navigate our careers, help others, career build and improve our quality of life. What we don't often think about is this idea that we are in an area that is constantly coming under pressure, nomatter what your politics are, conservative or progressive. Granted, in this movie, most federal agencies are rendered helpless with no reasonable plan to counter the attack measures. For everything to happen in exciting movie style, all police departments, systems managers, federal and state emergency response teams would be no hlep because they are just plan dumb. But there are other issues raised within the movies plot that has a bit of validity. So the real questions are: Is this possible? Does the movie seem like it is portraying something real? Does it make you think twice about living or working in Washington, DC?

In Case You Missed It

SoCapAlex — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:50:31 EDT

Called one of the most focused debates so far by many progressives, the presidential candidate form held at Howard University last week was really informative. Candidates actually addressed and answered questions (most of them directly even). Candidates actually took positions on several issues that have been avoided in other debates. The issues range from Hurricane Katrina, to racism in America to Poverty and Darfur. Other issues touched upon were the Prison Industrial Complex, crime, universal healthcare and early childhood education. In case you missed this all important candidate form, televised by PBS and hosted by the intelligent Tavis Smiley, take some time to watch it online. It's worth your time. In case you missed it, don't. Be up to speed on the most direct response these candidates have to crucial and pressing issues in America today. Click on the link Link

Daily Grind

SoCapAlex — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:38:22 EDT

So, it has been a few weeks since we all started working this whole intern life, and I was sitting in the over priced yet well decorated Daily Grind outside of Dupont Circle. One month I've been going at this, and I must admit, I am in need of a break. I mean, as an intern, I work hard and play harder. The middle of the week or the weekend, it doesn't matter. Between brown bag lunches, conferences, meetings with supervisors, staff meetings, and regular social hour, I have not found enough time rest. Whatever your pleasure. But, I am wearing thin, as I imagine many of us all are. We are working on research, grut work and trying to find our space. We are coming in early, leaving late and taking abbreviated lunches for the sake of progress, politics and the future of our resumes.

I am gathering my strength as I look to the next two months to finish out this assignment. Now is not the time to slack off. We are interns. Yes, everyone makes mistakes, even your boss or the president of your company because you watched them make do it. But as interns, we are pretty much at the bottom of the crate. We don't get to make mistakes; not visible ones we can't correct anyway. We are challenged to adjust to an office operating system and adhere to office politics that others generally have months to get used too. And even though we are not on the payroll, we are expected to get it together in no time flat, and stay in character for the duration of the assignment. So, fellow interns, let's meet the challenge, answer the call. We've got just weeks to keep this up, and if we can, this opportunity may be able to change your career. So draw upon all strengths that you can find. Draw upon your family or community. Draw upon the people that you plan to fight for. Pull from your past as you launch into your future. Remember those who stod in your way and the obstacles you had to overcome to progress and advance to this place. You can do it! ( I know that last line was a bit corny, but it's true and you get the idea). Keep up the work and make it happen folks. Grind on!

Addicted

SoCapAlex — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 22:51:46 EDT

I am so addicted to poetry and good food!

After an insightful conference with Campus Progress, I went to Busboys and Poets for some poetry and a delicious dessert (white chocolate banana bread pudding with carmel sauce and coconut icecream--yes it is the bomb). It was great. Between the 17 year old Sudanese girl and the professional poet taking his show on the road, I felt like I was in speak-easy heaven.

Crowded in the Langston Room, I enjoyed the cozy company of complete strangers who were now close friends after 30 minutes sitting at the table together. As a tradition, and I like traditions, each poet is asked to read a poem of Langston Hughes either before or after they read or perform their own work.

I am even more excited about this one man play "EMERGEN-See" debuting next month and this Saturday's show "Silence is Forbidden". It's at American University on the 30th. Starts at 8pm. Spoken Word artist like Black Ice and Georgia Me are on the mic. And local artist like Messiah will be showcasing there. Of course a DJ with some hot sound to go along with the selections will be working the crowd (DJ Fredlocks).

Tix are $20 and for more info on the event or where to buy,

www.instantseats.com

www.myspace.com/benybent

or call 202-344-5759

I'll see you there, poetry addicts!

Something Free...You know you wanna check it out!

SoCapAlex — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:55:49 EDT

A Reel Progress Screening

Featured Panelists:
Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher, The Washington Informer
Joe Madison, Radio Personality, Radio-One WOL-AM and XM Satellite Radio channel 169
Mark Lloyd, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress

Moderated by:
Melody Barnes, Executive Vice President for Policy, Center for American Progress

Focus Features and the Center for American Progress are pleased to present TALK TO ME. Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle portrays the one and only Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. In the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington, D.C., vibrant soul music and exploding social consciousness were combining to unique and powerful effect. It was the place and time for Petey to fully express himself - sometimes to outrageous effect - and "tell it like it is." With the support of his irrepressible and tempestuous girlfriend Vernell (Taraji P. Henson), the newly minted ex-con talks his way into an on-air radio gig. As Petey's voice, humor, and spirit surge across the airwaves with the vitality of the era, listeners tune in to hear not only incredible music but also a man speaking directly to them about race and power in America like few people ever have.
Please join us for a provocative panel discussion and Q&A session immediately following the film.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Program: 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Admission is free.

Doors open at 6:30 PM. Screening starts at 7:00 PM sharp.

SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED RSVP Required. First come, first served.

Please let us know in advance if you have any needs for special accessibility so that we can be sure to accommodate you.

E Street Cinema
555 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
Map & Directions

Nearest Metro: Accessible from the Blue, Green, Orange, Red and Yellow lines at the Metro Center and/or Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stops

For more information, please call 202.741.6246.

Biographies

Denise Rolark Barnes is the publisher of The Washington Informer, the leading community newspaper serving the African American community in Washington, D.C.
Rolark Barnes became publisher of The Washington Informer in 1994 where she is continuing the legacy of her father, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, who established The Washington Informer in 1964.

In addition to her work at the Informer, Rolark-Barnes maintains The Washington Informer Charities, a non-profit organization that promotes literacy and sponsors internship opportunities and writing competitions for students interested in pursuing careers in journalism. The Washington Informer Charities also partners with local schools to assist their efforts to publish student-run newspapers.

She hosts "Reporter's Roundtable," a local municipal cable television show aired twice daily featuring local reporters who discuss civic and social issues affecting D.C. residents, and she has also appeared as a guest on the nationally syndicated Tavis Smiley Show, Tony Brown?s Journal, NBC4's Reporter's Notebook and several local radio and television programs.

Rolark Barnes board memberships include United Black Fund, Inc., the AARP District of Columbia Executive Council, the Historical Society of Washington D.C., and the advisory board of New Leaders for New Schools SHIRE Collaborative on the Prevention of Childhood Obesity. She is also a member of Leadership Greater Washington.

Rolark Barnes lives in the District of Columbia with her husband, Lafayette Barnes. They have two sons, Lafayette (21) a student at Howard University School of Business; and Desmond (19) a freshman at Morgan State University.

Joe Madison, also known as "The Black Eagle" by his Radio-One WOL-AM listeners in Washington D.C. and nationally on XM Satellite Radio channel 169, is one of America's top talk radio personalities. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Madison has been named one of Talker Magazine's 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts nine times. This recognition doesn't even begin to skim the surface of his extraordinary commitment to social justice at home and abroad. As comedian and human rights activist Dick Gregory once said, "you can't pigeon hole the Black Eagle. Madison is more than a radio talk show host. He is a radio activist." After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Madison became Executive Director of the 10,000 member Detroit NAACP, the youngest person appointed to that position. Between 1984-1986, Madison led four separate voter registration marches called "The Overground Railroad". In 1986, the NAACP convention delegates elected him to the national board of directors and re-elected him for the next 14 years. In 1996, Madison accepted the challenge of restoring prominence to the NAACP Image Awards when he was appointed its chairman.

Directing a major civil rights organization, registering voters, marching in the streets, and giving lectures would be enough to demonstrate one's commitment to social justice, and rightly so. Yet, in the midst of his civil rights activism, Madison started another career as a socially conscious radio talk show personality in 1980 on Detroit's WXYZ-AM.

Madison not only uses his microphone to bring attention to social injustices here and abroad, he also challenges himself and his listeners to do something about it. For him this has meant going to jail for civil disobedience countless times, and going on hunger strikes in opposition to apartheid in South Africa, genocide and modern-day slavery in Sudan.

Madison has been relentless in his efforts to protect those who suffer at the hands of powerful interests. He led demonstrations and arrests in front of the Sudanese Embassy for 90 straight days to end the genocide in Darfur. Madison has traveled three times to the war zones in southern Sudan where he participated in the freeing of more than 7,000 slaves and delivering survival kits to refugees. He organized a "Sudan Campaign" to end slavery and raised thousands of dollars to free slaves, at a cost of $35 per slave. He participated in the victorious movement opposing the deportation of 15,000 Liberians from the United States in 2001.

Madison has won numerous awards including the National SCLC Presidential Award and has been listed in Ebony Magazine's 50 Leaders of the Future and Who?s Who in Black America. He and his wife Sharon have been married for more than 30 years and live in Washington, D.C.

Mark Lloyd is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and an affiliated professor at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute.

From the fall of 2002 until the summer of 2004, Mr. Lloyd was a Martin Luther King, Jr. visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he taught communications policy and wrote and conducted research on the relationship between communications policy and strong democratic communities. He also served as the executive director of the Civil Rights Forum on Communications Policy, a non-profit, non-partisan project he co-founded in 1997 to bring civil rights principles and advocacy to the communications policy debate.

Previously, Mr. Lloyd worked as general counsel to the Benton Foundation, and as a communications attorney at Dow, Lohnes & Albertson in Washington, D.C., representing both commercial and non-commercial companies. He also has over a dozen years of experience as a broadcast journalist including work as a reporter and producer at NBC and CNN.

A widely-published author in both popular and academic publications, his book "Prologue to a Farce: Communication and Democracy in America" was released by the University of Illinois Press in 2007.

Melody Barnes is the Executive Vice President for Policy at the Center for American Progress, where she coordinates and helps to integrate all of the Center's policy work from the policy departments, fellows, and the Center's network of outside policy experts.

From December 1995 until March 2003, Barnes served as chief counsel to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) on the Senate Judiciary Committee. As Kennedy's chief counsel, she shaped civil rights, women's health and reproductive rights, commercial law, and religious liberties laws, as well as executive branch and judicial appointments. Barnes' experience also includes an appointment as Director of Legislative Affairs for the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and serving as assistant counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights. During her tenure with the Subcommittee, she worked closely with members of Congress and their staffs to pass the Voting Rights Improvement Act of 1992, which was signed into law.

Barnes began her career as an attorney with Shearman & Sterling in New York City and is a member of both the New York State Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Association. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Constitution Project, EMILY's List, and The Maya Angelou Public Charter School. She received her law degree from the University of Michigan and her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with honors in history.

The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just and free America that ensures opportunity for all. We believe that Americans are bound together by a common commitment to these values and we aspire to ensure that our national policies reflect these values. We work to find progressive and pragmatic solutions to significant domestic and international problems and develop policy proposals that foster a government that is "of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Don't Be An Escalump!

SoCapAlex — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:24:23 EDT

Don’t be An Escalump!

If you want to stand out as being an out-of-towner, so ahead and use the Metro anyway you see fit. But, if you want to look like a Washitonian on the platform, follow a few simple rules.

Rule 1: Don’t be an Esaclump. Pronounced es-ke-lump. Metro defines an escalump as a person who becomes a human speed bump by stopping suddenly at the top or bottom of a Metro escalator. This is not a joke or a work of fiction. Seriously, natives to the city and people who’ve lived and worked here long enough get really upset when people stop stop traffic to look around on the escalator.

Rule 2: When you are on the escalator, coming down or going up, you should always stand to the right or walk to the left. Everyone understands that you may not be in as much of a hurry as the next man or woman, but we don’t have to get in the way of their progress.

Rule 3: When entering or exiting the Metro station, pay close attention to which gate you put your ticket into. If you don’t and make a mistake, it stops the people behind you, someone could walk through your passage, and you could look kind of silly. I watched one lady have a frantic fit about how she put her card through twice and that she had $16 on the card. She rambled on to the station attendant to fix the problem so she could exit. The attendant just looked at her like she was crazy and pointed to the open gate on the other side of the woman. Don’t let this happen to you!

Are you a Lifesaver? Possibly

SoCapAlex — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:59:58 EDT

i received this message from some progressive activist here in DC. If you can help save a life, take action and do it.

Dear friends:

A good friend of mine, Vinay, is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. His friends and family are conducting donor registration drives across the country, including one in Washington, DC on June 14th. All it takes is five minutes, a cheek swab, which will be tested to match Vinay's tissue, and some paperwork! No blood will be drawn. Please come to the drive and get registered—especially if you are of Asian and South Asian descent!

REGISTER AS A DONOR—HELP SAVE VINAY’S LIFE!

June 14th, 4:30 – 7:30 pm

Asian American Justice Center

1140 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 1200

RSVP (encouraged) or for more info: DCdonorDrive@aol.com

www.HelpVinay.org

ABOUT VINAY

When Vinay began experiencing severe exhaustion and bone pain last November, he attributed it to his grueling schedule as a medical resident. His symptoms turned out to be Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Since November, Vinay has undergone intensive chemotherapy, but last month, he received the difficult news that the chemotherapy was not effective. He now needs a bone marrow transplant to survive.

Vinay, a 28-year old orthopedics resident at Boston Medical Center, was just beginning a new phase of life when he was diagnosed. He and his wife Rashmi married in 2005, and the couple had just celebrated their first wedding anniversary.

ABOUT VINAY'S ILLNESS

More than 35,000 people suffering from life-threatening blood diseases such as leukemia are in need of bone marrow or blood cell transplants. While 30 percent of patients find a matched donor within their family, the other 70 percent must find an unrelated donor. Because tissue traits are inherited, patients are most likely to find a donor within their racial and ethnic community. However, less than seven percent, or about 415,000, of the six million donors in the registry are of Asian descent—and even fewer are of South Asian descent.

Even if you don't match with Vinay, you might be able to save the life of one of the other 35,000 patients waiting for a donor. To find out more about bone marrow or blood cell transplant process, please visit www.marrow.org.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

1. Register as a donor. If you're between 18 and 60, particularly of South Asian descent, please register right away by coming to a donor drive or online at www.marrow.org. Vinay's friends and family are conducting donor drives across the country—and in India as well. Visit www.helpvinay.org to find a drive near you.

2. Get others registered. Bring a friend, coworker or neighbor with you to a donor drive. The more people we register, the better Vinay's chances of finding a match.

3. Spread the word. There are drives all over the country, so forward this e-mail to everyone you know and ask them to register. Ask others to visit Vinay's website at www.helpvinay.org to help build awareness of the bone marrow registry. Don't forget to forward this e-mail to your friends and relatives in India as well!

THERE ARE MATCHES OUT THERE!

Pia faced Vinay's odds in 2004 when her leukemia returned, and her only chance of survival was a bone marrow transplant. Through her website, and the efforts of her friends and family, Pia helped register tens of thousands of new donors! She found a match for herself—but is continuing to recruit donors in India and around the world through the United South Asian Donor Registry (www.matchpia.org).

Together, let's find a match for Vinay! Please register with us on June 14th! E-mail DCdonordrive@aol.com for more information or to RSVP.

Sincerely,

Rachna Choudhry

So, DC is a TROPIC. I didn't know that!

SoCapAlex — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:49:30 EDT

As we leisurely strolled through the city in search of a good meal during lunch yesterday, most of us could not have imagined that we would be running and ducking for cover just a few short hours later. It was so hot around lunch time, I wore sun glasses and wondered if I needed another application of sun block on my way to get an oatmeal/chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich from Potbelly (it was really good). So, to my utter shock and surprise, when I left work at 5:30, the light drizzle quickly turned into a rain storm fully complimented with thunder and lightning. I tried to walk it out as I saw many others doing who were just a bit more accustomed to the evening rain. But as it began to pour, I was over it and took shelter at a near by ATM covering.

However, as the time went by, I had places to go and things that I needed to do, like the really nice happy hour at the Science Club on K. Putting aside my desire to be nice and dry after a long days work, I briskly walked the three blocks, hovering in front of restaurant doors at red lights. I finally made it to the Science Club for an intern social coordinated by Campus Progress. A few other interns and I arrived a bit earlier than the suggested time, trying to escape the weather.

But once I got inside, I forgot all about the gloom that held me hostage just moments before. Although small and narrow, the Science Club has a good vibe and energy. It seemed like a prime location to host an event like this one since many interns are working in the near-by area. The music was really a good mix. Think Will Smith’s Summer Time and Kirk Franklin right after something by Erykah Badu. The food (because we all care about the food) was really good. They have a menu that can accommodate vegetarians as well.

The food was good; the drinks were right; but most importantly, the conversation and networking was on track. Interns were their from Progressive Majority, Sierra Club, Center for American Progress, Campus Progress, Center for Progressive Leaders, and Gender Pact. I had the opportunity to meet some other interns who plan to be at Take Back America, which I will be working and attending by the way. Take Back America will have everything from Presidential candidate speaking to House and Senate rep lectures, to rallies to film series to breakout sessions like Progressive Majority candidate track and much more. These are all day events so you are sure to find something to get into during lunch or after work. Register today. Ourfuture.org

Take Back AMerica 2007

SoCapAlex — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:16:23 EDT

I am so excited and Interns, you should be too! It's my first day interning with a progressive organization, and they have given me the itinerary for TAKE BACK AMERICA 2007. The speakers list includes names like Maxine Waters, Tavis SMiley, Sen. Edwards, Sen. ObamaSen. Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi. I am looking forward to the workshops and the speakers. There will be opportunities to join grassroots organizations, meet and network with other activist, progressive campaign mangers, hip hop thinkers and coalition builders. Find out how you can get involved. It's going to be great. ourfuture.org

Food and Fun with Fellow Interns

SoCapAlex — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 02:40:17 EDT

My first official day in the District led to some lessons learned, brief networking opportunities and fun with fellow interns.

So I learned a hard lesson in spending on the Metro trains. To all out-of-towners, when in doubt, buy a day pass if you’re on a budget. Long story short, if you go too far without enough money on your train ticket, you must pay an exit fare. A day pass is a flat rate. What you are willing to pay is what you will spend. Period.

Moving on.

Interns, facebook.com is your friend because many of the progressive groups like Campus Progress and Center for Progressive Leaders have groups that you can join, receive updates and meet other interns. Well, I did both.

I met up with another intern from North Carolina who is here for the summer. We’d communicated via facebook.com for a couple of weeks. We decided to go to PIN (Progressive Intern Network) Kick-off Bar-BQ at the park behind one of my favorite restaurants, Busboys and Poets. We ventured from Union Station to U Street Station and walked up a few blocks to a pretty empty park, confused. After seeing a group on the porch of a house in the neighborhood, we asked them if they knew anything about said social. For some unknown reason the party had moved across the street, where the front yard, back yard and house were full of young politicians carrying on various political and social conversations. Although the food was practically gone (and by practically, I mean chip crumbs), there was plenty soda and conversation. Immigration and African colonization were among the topics of discussion.

After making my rounds and introducing myself to some other interns [see you all at the next PIN social ;)], I hooked up with some of my friends’ house mates and went to Salsa Thia. I could have gone for take-out at Yums, but the group wasn’t quite feeling that one. Salsa Thai was good, though. It’s a nice atmosphere with low lights and wooden floors. Their fried rice was excellent and they have this fried banana and ice cream dessert this is something special. But you may not want to go if you have a group larger than five because they have problems with splitting bills and returning cash change. I’m thinking our waitress took the liberty to assume a tip even though there was definitely mandatory gratuity. Apparently, a storm was raining on the rest of the city, but we missed all that by the time we closed the place down as the last guest.

I had a good time and am ready to meet more people as well as see what else the city has to offer someone like me.

PS. For anybody looking for something to get into tomorrow, I just heard about a “Hoops for the Homeless” event at the Verizon Center from 9am to 5pm. Magic Johnson is one of the many celebrity guest of honor.

On Landing and feeling good

SoCapAlex — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:38:36 EDT

I think it hit me as I was enjoying the luxury and comfort of my Midwest Airlines flight. I could see the White House and the Washington Monument out of my window. The landing gear had properly descended from the plane, and it hit me. I had the pleasure of spending the summer working in the US Capital, home to so many great and interesting things. I plan to explore many of them, by the way.

After landing, getting my luggage and waiting over an hour for my ride (thanks Keri), I was in the city. She took the streets because the freeway was packed, but I didn’t mind because I loved the scenic root of the city with all the beautiful brick buildings and busy people. Although this is not my first in the city, I always find something new to enjoy.

I am really looking forward to my experience as a political intern and writing about it here. I’m working with Center for Progressive Leaders, Progressive Majority and Campus Progress. What a load! My calendar is filling fast, and I’m happy because I’ll have plenty to write about.

Oh yeah, about me:

California Native, cultural critic, sociologist, college graduate looking into graduate schools, loves food, music, movies, poetry and fun.