Bayview District

So walking through the streets in Bayview hasn't been the easiest. I know that there has to be good stories there, but my shy approach is not helping at all. Normally I would be ok just sucking it up and going up to strangers and striking up a conversation, but in the Bayview, that's just not done. There's no roaming the neighborhood to explore or going up to strangers to strike up a conversation. That just waves a huge flag that says Im not from here, which many noticed since they kept asking if I was lost. I've had a bit of success going to community organizations and shops because they'll actually talk to me, but pretty much none when it comes to people on the street. As I walked around on Saturday I notice 3 different groups of men barbecuing on different corners. I feel like there's a story there but have 0 ideas on how to approach it. When I tried talking to one group of them, they pretty much blew me off. I figure this is something I'll have to figure out because not all stories will come easy so I guess the challenge is good. Im heading back on Friday, I'll be strategizing new approaches till then...

Hayes Valley, some beginnings

There very first time I went to my assigned neighborhood, Hayes Valley, I brought nothing journalistic with me. I thought about it, about my notepad, my pens, my digital recorder (of which I'm a handicapped advocate), and decided no. I first needed a casual stroll, a chance to observe in the safety of citizenry. This approach helps me start off on the ground floor, where the neighborhood is less of an assignment and more of an environment. It also puts off the hyperactivity of journalism a little bit longer.

By the next visit, now in a journalistic role and feeling slightly on-the-spot, I began entering the shops and awkwardly introducing myself and my mission. The first few slip-ups were my fault, making pathetic stumbles from browsing customer to journalist with actual questions about the neighborhood. I usually wound up with a business card and a “beautiful neighborhood” line. Other shop owners were bothered I wasn't going to buy anything, and gave unending preference to real shoppers. But each new shop was a new situation, a new rehearsal in small-talk. There were lots of shops, and I got better each time, neither hiding my notepad, nor flaunting it.

Asking random people on the street their impressions of the neighborhood didn't really work out. Perhaps if the whole thing was filmed, with time for hundreds of one-liners, sure; but mostly I wound up with confused stares and shrugs. This was an approach I found time-consuming with little payoff. However, there are many places to sit down outside, and those who were just out getting sun and air, tended to be more responsive and happier to help.

That night, having done research before my visit, I learned of a Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association meeting. This is one of the information watering holes for the neighborhood. They got right down to business, addressing issues, data and upcoming events. Being the youngest one in the room, by far, all the board members were delighted to help me out and answer any questions. The supervisor of district five was also there, and just as ready to give an opinion. I stayed pretty quiet during the meeting and just listened, but stayed afterward to help put away chairs. A lesson I learned about covering meetings, at least in neighborhoods, the ones who stay after and put away chairs are often the most devoted and most informed. It also offered plenty of time to talk and get new leads.

Intimidated? No... Not anymore

So, walking down the streets of Fillmore during the work week is much different than I would have expected. Residents are so much nicer! I mean, I was only there for about an hour or two before I headed to work, but even then I was able to get perspective about Fillmore from residents.

During my initial visits to Fillmore (which happened during weekends), residents were less willing to talk to some random journalism student. I enjoyed my pastry at Fillmore Bakery and was able to talk to some SFSU students who live on Fillmore or frequently visit (due to the jazz night at Cafe International and the bars, of course).

I love to people-watch, so I just sat outside and just observed the culture that lay behind Fillmore.

Oh, and every Sunday around 4 p.m., Cafe International holds a free jazz concert. I plan on checking that out sometime soon!

News Forum

At first I thought attending the News Forum meeting was just another tedious extra credit assignment that I could fall asleep on. I was proven wrong when people from well-known publications such as Yahoo News and Muni Diaries arrived at the meeting.

These professional journalists had really opened my eyes in terms of what’s happening with journalism currently and what may happen to it later. Before attending the meeting I felt a little uncertain about journalism, since so many journalists are losing their jobs. I was afraid that journalism is a dying concept and that I would no longer have a place for the skills I acquired. Peung, a representative from Yahoo News said journalism is not dying it is simply changing.

Another journalist mentioned that the old ways may be dying, but there are so many new developments in the field that it won’t be so difficult for a journalism student like me to find a job. For example, I can become a copy editor for an online publication or be an online producer.

Eugenia, founder and writer of the Muni Diaries, said that we should experiment with different areas in journalism. For example, Eugenia is an independent journalist and although her website isn’t paying her bills, but her website is still popular among locals because a lot of people enjoy reading strange stories about public transportation.

Graduate school was another important topic covered at the meeting. One of the students who attended asked if applying to graduate school straight out of being an undergrad was the best thing to do. Most of the special guests had mixed feelings about graduate school, not only because of money but also because we may want to change our profession.

In fact they said the best thing to do after we graduate from the San Francisco State Journalism program is to freelance for a little while and possibly experiment with different mediums in the journalism field. At least if one freelances for a while it makes it easier for them to figure out if they want to stay in the journalism field or not.

Lastly, the guests also mentioned they are always looking for freelancers and interns, which is great news for SF State Journalism students. One of the representatives mentioned that they will train their interns to do multimedia, editing, and writing work. If the interns wrote great articles they can get paid for their pieces.

The meeting was so enlightening I may consider asking one of the representatives for an internship this summer.

Dichotomy of Culture

The Ocean View, Merced and Ingleside neighborhoods, more commonly referred to as the OMI hold a history that's rarely seen today. Yet, it has become something of a cultural phenomenon: a case study to be delved into with the most introspective of purposes. Its downright interesting.

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. When I tell people I came from the Midwest, they see a corn-fed white-boy that herded cattle or worked on the farm throughout much of my young adult life. However, until the age of 14 I was knee deep in a cultural triad that would define a large portion of my perspectives and beliefs up through the beginning of high school. The largest populations surrounding the greater Chicagoland area were Black, White(polish predominantly) and Indian. We were told there were neighborhoods to avoid, streets to walk around and hallways that would hold certain dangers were we to venture down them. We were never told why; though, there was an innate stigma that attached itself to these areas and the races and cultures that inhabited them.

Its different here. These stigma's still exist, yet perhaps it is my additional 13 years of real-world experience that have allowed me to view them with less of a perception of possible victimization. As I walk down Arch St. or Broad St. or Farallones Ave., there are signs that bring me back to my childhood. Gang symbols, graffiti and drug culture are prevalent throughout the OMI, in sharp contrast to the historical context by which many still view this area. Though now, the strong sense of fear is gone. Crime, robbery, assault and even murders are still reported regularly throughout the OMI, though it is what it is. Perhaps this is what comes with "big city livin'."

Its exciting to be here. Its exciting to smell the smells, hear the sounds, and revel in the folderol of life. From what I've seen, the key to survival is twofold. Civility and candor go hand in hand when talking to the residents and learning what it is to be a resident and member of this community. Can't wait for next week!

Balboa Park Being Repaired

San Francisco Chronicle ran a full spread about the plans to repair run-down Balboa Park Station, a major BART and Muni transit area. The story focuses on future plans to make the station more safe and accessible. The Supervisor for the district , John Avalos, was quoted saying that the station is a "transportation backbone" with "terrible conditions." There is a guesstimate of $200 million going into the project. How does the community feel about it? Necessary?

Vanguard Revisited

After my first day at Castro one of the clerks from a second-hand clothing store invited me to a launch party celebrating the return of the 1960s magazine, “The Vanguard.” The magazine was run by gay, lesbian, and trans gender youths of that time.

At first I was a little reluctant to go because the party was from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and I wasn’t used to being in city during in the dark, but then I realized this could the perfect opportunity to meet potential sources for my later articles.

It took me about 30 minutes to find the location of the party, since the girl who invited me to the party didn’t exactly tell me what the place looked like. My eyes widened slightly when I realized the party was at a Lutheran church (St. Francis), which was odd because the only words I would associate a church with are prayers and the holy bible.

Since I got to the party a little early I got to see the pastor of the church and a couple other people set up. They brought out chips, candy, soda, and a photo booth. But the first thing I noticed was the old typewriters on a table. The pastor told me that the typewriters went with the theme of the party.

When the guests arrived some of them immediately walked towards the typewriters and I attempted to use one of the typewriters. I couldn’t help but think, “It must have taken most of the Vanguard writers 20 minutes to get one sentence typed.” I scanned the room and noticed some men and women in drag and one guy wearing black leotard with white angel wings and a black halo.

I was probably one of the few heterosexuals there. At first I felt a little out of place, but most of the guests at the party made me feel completely welcomed. I got to hear about their “coming out” stories, accomplishments in college, and even traded contact information.

The one person who stood out to me at the party was 65-year-old Felicia, who was actually genetically male. Felicia told us how she served in the army when she was still a man and how during the 1960s she was arrested for dressing like a girl. I was amazed at how fun and vibrant Felicia was, even with all hardships she experienced.

The party felt more like a small gathering with its modest snack foods and small number of guests. Even though the Vanguard Launch party may not have been very glamorous, but I still enjoyed myself, the guests have really gotten me out of my shell.