It is already week two of the Annenberg Youth Academy program! Every morning during my commute I watch cars like ants in a colony speeding to their destinations with an air of enjoyment and purpose. I am now one of those people, rushing through traffic, ready to begin my day. This week, I found myself getting comfortable and blending into the AYA program, much like cream cheese melting into a warm, toasted bagel, yet still in the process of fully blending into the crevices.
On the first day of this new week, culture and participatory politics were the two main fields that became intertwined into one lesson. Participatory politics refers to the ways in which young people engage in civic life through new forms of digital and cultural expression. It is an evolving landscape where traditional barriers are being broken down, allowing for more dynamic participation. Also learning how to produce podcasts has been an enlightening journey during AYA week two. Although I was unsure of how to record myself at first, after this week I can say I have improved greatly when it comes to expressing myself through digital media. I have finally developed a stronger ability for using the power of storytelling and digital media to amplify my voice and engage with important civic issues. Like spreading cream cheese on a bagel, each added layer of audio and narrative adds flavor to discussing youth issues of our community.
As I dove deeper into the sounds of civics, it taught me how culture can be a powerful tool for civic engagement. Hip hop, for example, can be merged as a form of civic media. It is more than just music. It can be seen as a cultural movement that provides a voice to marginalized communities and activism. One of the highlights of this week included listening to Taj Frazier, a guest speaker who discussed the spread of American hip hop culture. Frazier’s insights shed light on how hip hop and other music cultures cross borders to become a universal language that connects people from different backgrounds. This cultural exchange was shown during the scavenger hunt where we bonded, engaged with others, and learned more about each other. We were like different toppings sprinkled together on a bagel to create a harmonious blend of tastes.
The next day we learned about communication and how effective communication is at the heart of participatory politics. As Julia T. Wood states, “Communication is a systemic process in which people interact with and through symbols to create and interpret meanings.” (Wood, 2013). This process of communication demonstrates how ideas are understood and acted upon within civic organizations. Individuals utilize symbols in order to better understand and ascribe meaning to the things they encounter as they go through life, interacting with the world around them. In addition to this, one particular concept we explored was the metaphorical power of the ‘They Live’ Sunglasses. As we watched the video on this topic, we learned that these sunglasses, inspired by classic film communication, symbolized the ability to see the hidden truths in society. They serve as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the need to question the world around us.
On the last day of the week, I underwent a transformative experience. The class was allowed access to USC Annenberg’s Media Center. Visiting the center was like stepping into a whole new world, one that I had never experienced before. The environment opened my eyes to the possibilities of media and communication in contemporary society. It was a chance to explore new tools and techniques and further my passion for communication, much like discovering a new, delicious flavor of cream cheese to spread on my bagel. This week at AYA has been a journey of discovery and growth. Every day I can feel myself growing and improving as I expand my understanding of what is to immerse myself into the world of communications and civic engagement.
Fight On!
Communicating Change 