JESSICA DaSILVA

Like every little girl in this country, I grew up absolutely obsessed with American Girl.

I was a little bookworm so I read all the books and all the magazines from cover to cover. On a side note, I’m pretty sure I ordered that magazine until it was just barely appropriate for my age…

For those who are unfamiliar with the company, American Girl is a doll company. The character dolls are from different periods in American history and have six books that tell their stories. The girls are easy to relate to and very realistic. The stories emphasize positive themes like teamwork, leadership, organization, etc.

These stories were where my love for American history first originated. However, I didn’t have one of the dolls. For some reason, I just couldn’t find one that was really like me (this was before you could build a “Just like me” doll). I liked Molly and Samantha, but I didn’t think there were many similarities between us.

Today I discovered my match in Kit Kittredge after listening to a report on NPR about the Kit movie coming out July 2.

Even though Kit debuted in 2000, I never discovered her because I was a little old for American Girl books at that point. Basically all I know about her is that she lives during the beginning of the Great Depression, she’s the first doll to have short (blonde) hair and freckles… and she wants to be a reporter!

I’m sold. I might even get a doll.

Well, maybe I’ll wait until I can get one from the American Girl store in NYC (the American Girl Mecca). I’ve never been because they didn’t have those when I was kid. Back in the old days of the ’90s, you had to order them from a catalog (which I poured over for hours every time we got it in the mail).

The movie revolves around Kit desperately trying to get a story published in her local newspaper in Cinncinatti while facing difficult issues from the time period (one of her friends’ family gets their house foreclosed on).

This is a doll and a story I can relate to. In fact, I’ve already made plans to see the movie.

It’s here! And just in time for my arrival in Washington, D.C.!

Check out JESSICA DaSILVA in D.C., for updates on my classes and all the sights I’ll be taking in at the nation’s capital.

Expect to learn a little about political science, American history and me this semester. You should also expect loads of pictures of me with national landmarks.

P.S. Check out the design, custom made by up-and-coming online journalism sensation Brett Roegiers. (Thanks, Brett!)

After some thinking and inner conflict, I’ve decided to put my blog on hiatus to focus on my internship; school; and having some good, clean fun in Washington, D.C.

I’m hoping to either set up another page on the site to blog about my D.C. escapades or start a new blog altogether. Either way, be prepared to see A LOT of pictures featuring me and some national landmarks. I’ll post the link as soon as it’s ready.

Let’s get ready to rumble.

So, I don’t know why I haven’t said anything about the CNN/YouTube primary debates yet, but tonight, I’ll say something.

I think this campaign season has not only seen some radical change in using the Internet as a tool for candidates to hear the concerns of their constituents, but to also pull in voters from the younger generation.

To me, this is amazing. I’ve always wished my age group would have higher voting efficacy–self-esteem for your voting power, if you will. And I think incorporating innovative ideas like these types of debates is the breath of fresh air young adults have been waiting for. Maybe it’ll motivate the voting bloc.

CNN is known for being adventurous in its news endeavors–their Web site allows for user-submitted news videos and they’re even experimenting with Second Life. I think a lot of news organizations don’t branch out as much as they want or as much as they could because they’re afraid of failing.

But isn’t journalism about taking risks? People are eager to try new styles of writing or broadcast, well then why don’t they try something completely new altogether?

Journalists are storytellers. We should not limit that ability to one medium out of fear. It was former U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who said, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”

FDR said this in his First Inaugural Address. As the president following former U.S. President Herbert Hoover, FDR faced the challenge of essentially fixing the Great Depression. This was right before his 100 Days Congress where, under the leadership of FDR, the U.S. Congress essentially cranked out a bunch of programs to get the U.S. back on its feet.

The situation was desperate. There was no room to NOT give it their every effort.

News organizations are facing a desperate situation, and for this reason, they need to heed the words of FDR.

News organizations need to be afraid of fear. They need to recognize that a fear to experiment or branch out is what could possibly lead to their demise.

You know what happens if you try something out and it turns out to be dumb? Life goes on, and it becomes yesterday’s news… and no one will remember.

Here’s a shoutout to CNN for not laying down to die and ensuring it will survive.