The end is near.
With only a handful of days left, I value every moment that I spend in this program. Most importantly, I’ve realized the bonds we have formed with one another in these past three weeks will leave a lasting impression on me.
We’ve managed to create a safe, motivating, and inviting corner within this world, or more specifically the Wallis Annenberg Hall. It’s something unique and irreplaceable. I couldn’t imagine a different combination of people.
In a country oversaturated with media, it is refreshing to feel heard here. With such a diverse group of high school students, we listen openly to each other despite, no, because of our differences. It isn’t something you see very often.
In mainstream media, it has been a “historically racist, sexist, homophobic industry that has long ostracized and mistreated” people of color (Lopez 12). The text “Asian American Youtube Celebrities Creating Popular Culture Networks,” by Lori Kido Lopez, goes over the shunning of Asian American figures in mainstream media and the rise of these people on Youtube. The platform has served as a way for people of color to participate in a media subculture where they can personally connect with their audience. In a way, it has created an environment similar to AYA for these creators.
Just as we discuss difficult topics such as racism and politics, it has become more common for Youtubers to come forward sharing their own experiences and opinions. It brings awareness to these issues and forces us to reflect on our world from a new perspective. What can we change? What can we do for change? It also makes everyone more comfortable with sharing their experiences and cultures. The mantra, “You Are Not Alone,” has been enforced throughout the media subconsciously.
At one point in my life, I had felt uncomfortable with sharing my culture, which meant that I had felt uncomfortable sharing a vital part of myself with others. The food I ate, the language I spoke, the music I listened to, all parts of my identity were closed off because it had not been represented in the media I consumed: mainstream media.
Even the very few POC had distorted my view of the world. I noticed over time that the characters they represented perpetuated common stereotypes within that community. They were two-dimensional. I could not find a character that embodied the morals, values, and experiences that I had grown up with or that reflected my Hispanic family. It is only when I found Youtube, that I found the courage to express myself.
There were countless Youtubers who would confidently share their lives with their viewers. I felt seen and accepted, as did they. Hollywood had felt so secretive and exclusive, yet Youtube thrived on inclusivity. It is why it became such a successful platform. It offered something mainstream media could not achieve: authenticity. Although it is important to consider Youtube is still highly edited, it still creates a friendly atmosphere where creators make their viewers feel as though they are directly talking to them. It can build communities and create entertainment.
Once in a while, I reminisce on the creators that raised me and influenced the person that I am. I hope I can express the same genuineness that they showed me even when my presence is not online. For the people in hiding, I hope to hear you one day. There are many opportunities out there that can change the way you view the world and many people who are worth knowing. Our bonds, whether they are through a screen or not, are valuable. You are not alone.
Communicating Change 