Written By: Alexandra Hamilton
This Friday marks the end of Pride Month. Every large brand and corporation from Target to famously Skittles has launched rainbow lines of everything. There are commercials all over social media about inclusivity and how these companies are pride friendly. But how much do these brands truly care about LGBTQ inclusion? Consumers have wondered this as well. There is a popular video on TikTok which shows brands in June completely decked out in rainbows, but the second it turns July first, everything pride-related is gone. To me it is quite apparent that very few companies truly care about the meaning behind Pride Month and do it more as a social statement or to prevent getting “cancelled”. The question for Gen Z advocates who have fought so hard for LGBTQ representation is how we can move away from Pride Month being a trend or movement, and move closer toward it being a long-term conversation that is constantly seeking progress and new solutions. This question takes us beyond Pride Month. Every heritage recognition month and Women’s History Month is often received with social media campaigns and company lines aimed at the recognition of the time. But when we see this on our feeds or in store, it is important for consumers to stop and think of what that company has truly done when that month was over. It is important to note that us as individuals are no different to companies. How much of Gen Z advocacy is truly done for the betterment of society, and how much is done because it is the current trend everyone is posting about? We can all probably think of one time or another where we have posted an informational post just because everyone else was doing it. Black Lives Matter was a huge social media movement, but how many of the people you follow post about it now? Gen Z is known as a very vocal and opinionated generation when it comes to social inequalities. However, I believe that our advocacy has really only scratched the surface of the true impact we can achieve. The first step in improving our impact is seeking long-term solutions, especially from larger corporations. Heritage months and Pride Month are a great first step, but simply calling a month that and launching a line creates no sustainable, long-term solution. Rather it is up to us to push for greater programs, initiatives, trainings, educational programs, and charitable expenditures from these companies. Call, write, email, host a meeting, or start a campaign. We then need this to be reflected in ourselves. It is great to spread awareness by sharing a post, but if we do it as a trend rather than because it is a cause we care about, then the value and importance of our actions diminishes. Instead, we need to focus on the issues we are passionate about, dive deep into them, and seek involvement and change in them year-round. We can still advocate and raise awareness for other causes as well, but a mere social media like or repost does nothing. It is the individuals who are persistent, speak with politicians, and plan events year-round that truly get the bulk of the work done. So as Pride Month comes to an end, remember it is not a fashion trend, it is a year-round cause and some people’s livelihoods.
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Written by: Chyna Milan and Alexandra Hamilton
In our country we constantly see newer generations pushing for change, equality, and empowerment. Whether it be a large, nationally recognized organization, or just a local group with people from you area, it is key to get involved to make a difference on some level. Living in America provides us with the resources and ability to reach potential far beyond what youth in other countries may achieve. It is crucial we take advantage of these opportunities to better the world for us and our children, but few know what is the best way to go about this. Do you start an organization with a website, a team, or an event? A youth organization generally starts with a mission. This is an issue you are so passionate about that you want to dedicate your time to it. Next, is to find a team of people committed to this same goal and a clear idea of the projects and events your group will take underway. You then need to clearly plan of what events or work you will be doing. From here you can go about recruiting members, advertising, and executing your ideas. However you don't have to make your own organization. There are many groups constantly looking for fellow teens to write, edit, volunteer, make graphics, plan, and so much more. There are a wide range of skills needed for organizations that cover everything from climate change to lgbtq+ advocacy. This article features Chyna Milan, the founder of the youth-led group Together We Have A Voice. This organization is committed to accountability and awareness by highlighting pressing issues and encouraging others to find a voice. Hopefully others can hear the story of how another group was created, learn more about their central mission, and be inspired to work with another organization or start one themselves. My organization, Together We Have A Voice, was created on November 11, 2019. My original intent was to spread homelessness awareness and to discuss the need for affordable housing. This account was apart of my community service project for school in 8th grade. In February 2020, I decided that I wanted to cover more topics and to become an intersectional activist. Our mission is to amplify the voices of today's youth. I want people to know that you can be an activist at any age. I believe that everyone has the potential to change the world and using our voices collectively is very powerful. If youth would like to have their work uplifted or if they want to participate in a space that supports community, all they have to do is send me a dm. Our Instagram is @togetherwehaveavoice and more information can be found at linktr.ee/Togetherwehaveavoice. Our generation is the future. By helping the community, today's youth can learn skills and life lessons that will be very important to them in their adulthood. Any participation and involvement with your local community is an act of civic duty. Volunteering to help others teaches you how to be selfless and how to care about other people. Encouraging our youth to be more involved will mold them into generous, thoughtful and responsible human beings. I want them to know that their voice is powerful. Use your gift to your advantage and don't be afraid to advocate for your beliefs. Your voice allows you the opportunity to discuss your opinions with others and to share your perspective and knowledge on topics. I don't want you to stay silent. You might feel small and unimportant, but know that your voice is the key to unlocking your full potential. Shine bright, be bold and don't let anyone stop you from being the person you were destined to be. I believe in you. Written By: Alexandra Hamilton
Imagine a world without your local radio station or public broadcasting network. There would be no way of knowing what new laws have been passed, what world event had just taken place, and others' thoughts on specific national and global issues. The importance of reporting and journalism goes without question, especially the American free press which has the ability to openly criticize the government. Free and open media is often what categorizes a free nation from one that is not. Most importantly, "A free media functions as a watchdog that can investigate and report on government wrongdoing." However, there is a drastically changing role of the media in American society. It would have been hard for Americans just thirty years ago to believe that the television channels you watch would divide the nation and have such an influence on voter trends however that is in fact the current situation. It is no secret that our news sources have become increasingly bipartisan. What are seen as the two polar opposites, CNN vs. Fox News, are now seen as the radical sides fueling far left or right political agendas. You can be watching CNN praising a new bill passed by Congress with words such as historic or impactful, and switch to Fox News and think that the very same bill is the epitome of disaster and harm. These two sources are discussing the very same thing, but the bias, the selective choosing of information, and the interjection of opinions takes away our ability to form our own judgement and opinions. When we turn on the TV, listen to the radio, and go on social media, no longer do we see media and news that just presents the facts, but rather hear news coated with bias and prejudice. Slowly, the American principles of questioning our governments, diving into new legislation, and considering reasoning from different sides is being replaced with a black and white method of logic, where we believe there is a good and evil or right and wrong solution to things. But more dangerously, we believe the TV station we choose to watch is the correct opinion and the other side is wrong. However, what can be done about it? The First Amendment protects the freedom of the press by declaring that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of...the press" therefore calls for increased censorship and control of news channels will only contradict America's founding principles of freedom of opinion. Rather than attacking the institutions that produce media, it is up to the audiences across the country to diversify their sources of news and seek out a greater range of opinions from different people. We often only see information that confirms our existing beliefs. We may end up hating the "the other side", believing they are wrong or evil. It feels good to hear from people who think just like us, and media outlets have an incentive to be partisan — it helps them to earn ad revenue, especially if they use sensationalism (the strategy of using shocking stories or words to attract attention, sometimes sacrificing accuracy) and clickbait. But we need to expand our sources of information, even if we don't agree with it, to give us greater perspective of the world around us. All Sides, a website specifically dedicated to analyzing the bias of TV, magazines, and other media sites puts media into five categories based on bias: left, left leaning, central, right leaning, and right. In the far left are CNN and MSNBC, leaning left includes ABC and NPR, central includes the BBC and The Wall Street Journal News. The leaning right encompasses the New York Post News, and the far right comprises of Fox News and the Daily Mail. It is important to recognize where the media we consume falls into these categories, so one can understand the bias that we see and hear everyday. The first step to becoming a better and more educated citizen is to recognize the media you consume is biased. If you believe that your side is is the real facts and don't understand that other opinions and information can also be correct, no progress can ever be made. In order to truly see a change in our country, a total attitude change is necessary. This does not just include the media, but also the way in which we accept the information and use it in our everyday lives. Our views have become too one sided, too black and white, too left and right. It’s now considered if you’re not a Republican, you're a Democrat, and if your not a Democrat, you're a Republican. If you’re not on the same side as me, your wrong and that's that. It’s easy to get tangled up in social media and television and radio stories who present biased information that fail to cover all sides of the story. The saying “people hear what they want to hear” takes on an even more dangerous role in politics because we hide ourselves from our differences, and block our ability to gain full and clearer information that can help us make decisions that consider all sides of the story. You don't have to become a political activist or have a total political view change, but if every American opened up to having a more unbiased and objective understanding of our democratic processes, our country would be a more inclusive and less divisive place. Sources: - https://www.acluidaho.org/en/know-your-rights/your-rights-under-first-amendment#:~:text=The%20Freedom%20of%20the%20Press&text=A%20free%20media%20functions%20as,range%20of%20information%20and%20opinions. - https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/ - https://www.allsides.com/media-bias/media-bias-chart |
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