Culture, Criticism, & Cultivating: A Glimpse Of Personal Growth In Storytelling
A culmination of news, narratives, and never-ending ideas of a restless young journalist seeking to define the muses behind her voice.
About the project:
2020 has been a tumultuous year. It was a year of solitude and grief. It was the year of communal growth and utter division. It was another year of trauma and another racial reckoning. It was the year that a record-breaking multitude sought change. It has also been a year of growth for the individual. Growth in mindset, in career path, and silent manifestations. For me, the opportunities presented in a by-chance encounter are blessings that can’t be overshadowed. Having the opportunity to engage with a platform in the midst of my final semester at The New School has provided me with the room to witness my growth, not just in journalism but in myself. As time goes on, the ideas that run through my mind, the stories yet to be told, are slowly coming to fruition. Looking at a glimpse of what journalism has to offer has been eye-opening to say the least, though it has also never felt more reassuring. This is just the beginning of self-cultivation. Nuances will continue to be explored, shaping my voice is still an ongoing process. Nonetheless, the intentionality behind the space taken up in a newsroom or in a narrative aims to continue defining what good journalism should look like in the near future.
The Man, The Mission, The Multicultural Legacy / Mar. 2, 2021
“The Rise of the Rainbow Coalition Is Reignited In ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’”
“I AM A REVOLUTIONARY! I AM A REVOLUTIONARY! I AM A REVOLUTIONARY!”
The story of Fred Hampton is the story of pride. He was a man who in his 21 years of life left a powerful legacy that flourished in a world that clearly wanted to silence him. His powerful words, activism and care for the community live on as the fight against racial injustice continues. “Judas and the Black Messiah” premiered on HBO Max in February of this year. Starring Daniel Kaluuya, as the unforgettable Hampton and Lakeith Stanfield as Bill O’Neal, the film came at a time when our nation needed to be reminded of our greatest civil rights heroes. For a mainstream audience, the film was probably their introduction to Hampton’s life story and legacy. But one legacy that lingered was the Rainbow Coalition. Summer 2020 saw endless protests fighting for Black life and the call to end police violence, but it also saw record numbers for the largest multicultural crowd come together in solidarity for justice. While the Rainbow Coalition dissolved following Hampton’s death, it’s legacy and impact continues to resonate with the current generation who yearn for change.
The Voice That’s Invited To Any Cookout / Mar. 17, 2021
“This Artist Has Been Breaking Barriers As A Non-Traditional Mariachi”
One calm February evening, I sat at home flipping through cable channels as my mother sat next to me. Our channel search stopped on ABC’s game show “To Tell The Truth,” hosted by Anthony Anderson. The entertainment was light-hearted, watching and playing along trying to unravel each story. But out of one episode came a voice so striking, it prompted me to know more. Timothy Pollard, may look like your average So-Cal man on the surface, but behind his warm exterior is the vocal conviction that pays homage to a traditional Mexican genre. Considered the first Black Mariachi singer, the story of Timoteo “El Charro Negro,” is one that has gone under the radar in the U.S. With a career spanning over 25 years, Pollard’s story and vocal talent exemplify that beauty in cross-cultural appreciation that is a reminder that the universal things have a funny way of bringing us together.
Confronting Your Emotions One Step At A Time / Mar. 26, 2021
“Andrea Campos Is Normalizing Emotions And Mental Health Through Her App Yana”
The topic of mental health for communities of color is slowly progressing to being more open-minded. Taboos and horror stories have instilled a fear that mental health will bring chaos, a reality that would best be unavoidable. Hence why these taboos surrounding mental health are so strong. In Latin America it is no different. Andrea Campos grew up in Mexico and has suffered from depression since she was young. As she got older she became attending different types of therapy sessions, finding coping mechanisms and other strategies to deal with her own health. Then the pandemic hit. Unable to physically be able to get help, Campos had begun developing her own self-help app to ease her symptoms. But as the pandemic progressed, Campos saw how her creation could offer momentary aid to others in her community. She’s expanded her app for others looking to find some facets of relief while also working to destigmatize the way mental health is seen as an external issue related to our wellbeing.
In Solidarity, “We Ride At Dawn Grandmas!” / Apr. 2, 2021
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a staggering rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. In 2021, the news reports of violence, which has disproportionately targeted Asian women, felt endless. The news coverage of each incident, especially the Atlanta spa shooting, received immediate backlash. “Why won’t they call it a hate crime?” “Why won’t they just say that it was racially motivated, it’s so obvious.” Then of course having to hear that the perpetrator’s incentive behind his actions stemmed from “having a bad day” peaked the anger and frustration of many. On Saturday Night Live, fan favorite cast member Bowen Yang was brought on to “Weekend Update” to deliver a poignant message about anti-Asian activism. His message was praised in news reports the following day, but not many took the time to mention the tokenism behind having Yang speak or the witty critiques he made. SNL’s cast is not as diverse as it could be and activism is more than resharing resources and uplifting Asian businesses. Bowen Yang said that more has to be done, and he’s right. In the grand scheme of things, a whole lot more needs to be done.
It’s Not Over Until We Say It’s Over… / Apr. 27, 2021
“Justice Requires Dismantling The System That Has Long Killed Black And Brown Bodies”
Following the end of the Derek Chauvin trial and the simultaneous news of Ma’Khia Bryant, the only emotion that could be masked was numbness. While crowds cheered and rejoiced, and rightfully so, the bittersweet event signified a pinnacle of hope bombarded by the chaos of persistent racial strife. The death of George Floyd, among the other names chanted in the streets for decades, reignited the lived traumas Black and Brown people face. It is a constant reminder that the road to true justice is still going and that one measly conviction will not end the unrest this racial reckoning has seen. The words on that page come from a vulnerable place bottled up by restless nights, endless tears, and the voices of those who should still be alive crying out for mercy. For those who want to aid in advocacy, it is a reminder that the moment of rejoicing does not mean that our work is done. As the chants say, “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE.”
