Phoebe Lefebvre

Aug 29, 2024 | yr.media | Phoebe Lefebvre

My mom and I have followed every news update on the election and spent weeks debating whether President Joe Biden would drop out of the race. We couldn’t imagine giving him or former President Donald Trump our votes. Hearing my phone ping, and seeing that Biden withdrew, felt like a breath of relief. Current Vice President Kamala Harris entering the race has provided something that changed my view on voting in the upcoming election entirely: hope.

Dec 25, 2023 | yr.media | Noumaan Faiz |Nina Roehl |Audrey La Jeunesse |Phoebe Lefebvre

As we usher in the new year, these are some must-listen audio essays from 2023. Hear from YR Media's writers about their thoughts on a variety of issues such as the increase in cost of living to the Supreme Court's decision to strike down affirmative action. "Now I admit, I didn’t always notice the effects of inflation. I was only six years old during the big financial crisis in 2008. But now as a young adult, I finally understand my parents' frustration when gas prices go up even a few cents.

Nov 24, 2023 | yr.media | Phoebe Lefebvre |Amber Ly

Oakland, CA — In 2014, I was one of the countless people dancing the days away to Taylor Swift’s “1989” album. I was 8 when the album was released, 9 when I attended the "1989” world tour. And soon after, I became the founder and co-president of my class’s Taylor Swift club. The adoration I had for Taylor Swift back then, was solely about the music.

Oct 24, 2023 | yr.media | Phoebe Lefebvre |Amber Ly

Oakland, CA — My freshman year English class spent months covering Romeo and Juliet. But, despite the ridiculous amount of time we spent on it, I left that class feeling like I had learned nothing. Shakespeare isn’t fit to be the backbone of English classes. Just because Shakespeare’s work is held in high regard, doesn't mean it should be sacred to our classrooms and drown out writing from more current and diverse authors.

Sep 21, 2023 | yr.media | Phoebe Lefebvre |Amber Ly

Oakland, CA — I’ve lived in West Oakland for 14 years. And for a long time, I wasn’t able to see how differently West Oakland was being treated from the rest of the city. Being a predominantly Black, low-income community, West Oakland has been a target of environmental racism for almost a century — dating back to government supported redlining in the 1930s.