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“CAN YOU SEE ME ?”


By Jonathan Bonilla

Have you ever thought about the experience of an undocumented youth living in the United States. What if for a moment you were in the shoes of a human being who enters a new country fighting for a better life escaping from poverty, gangs, violence, corruption, etc. The bigger question to have in mind: how does someone advocate for their existence and right to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a country that does not recognize their legal status?

Undocumented youth in the United States, known as DREAMers, have garnered attention through the diverse uses of social media and other media outlets to challenge political and social anti-immigrant rhetoric, policies, and opinions. The youth immigrant community made its presence known in the wake of draconian anti-immigrant legislation and in the process of Congress passing the DREAM act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) which was a legislative proposal for qualifying undocumented immigrants for permanent residency in the United States (Zimmerman, 2016). The start of this movement was started through grassroot groups and at its core through the creation of personal stories that was shared through various digital spaces. Undocumented youth participated in the formation of “transmedia testimonio” which is a “personal narrative that represents a collective experience and that is shared across various media platforms” (Zimmerman, 2016). These personal narratives are showcased through oral testimonies and other non-verbal practices such as videos, pictures and memes to capture the collective experience and perspectives of undocumented individuals living in the United States. By sharing their personal stories or testimonies the youth highlight in a collective action their experiences of exclusion, stigma, marginality, injustice and invisibility.

Through the use of various media platforms, it has helped the undocumented youth movement to facilitate communication, coordinate activities including civil disobedience and launch public awareness campaigns, which has been vital for undocumented youth to come out from the shadows (Zimmerman, 2016). One of the biggest fears these undocumented individuals face in the United States in showing their true identity is running the risk of being detained and deported back to their birth countries by ICE (Immigration Custom and Enforcement). Their fears become relinquished through the use of social media platforms in particular, immigrant youth have created digital networks for activism to fight back, support each other, and challenge the power of the law.

Through the sophisticated use of blogs, facebook, twitter, youtube and other social media platforms, “undocumented youth have been able to organize and carry out sit ins at congressional offices, hunger strikes, marches, and symbolic graduations” (Zimmerman, 2016) to push for human rights, equality and become visible. The undocumented youth community through their activism have highlighted the intersection between online activism and face-to-face activism. Even though these individuals are constrained by their legal status to participate in formal and institutional means that citizens are granted, they have managed to navigate passed these obstacles to fight for their cause.  

Critics have said that media activism is not “real” activism, on the other hand, undocumented youth have manifested and integrated various forms of media to achieve an array of tactics (Zimmerman, 2016). Through the use of media activism, undocumented youth have been able to create a sense of collective identity, community organizing and develop a social-political movement. Immigration is still a heated and complicated topic in the United States but until it is not resolved by the lawmakers of this country, the undocumented youth and supporting communities will continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform.  

References

Zimmerman, A. (2016) Transmedia Testimonio: Examining Undocumented Youth's Political Activism in the Digital Age. International Journal of Communication, 10, 1886-1906.
Retrieved from Communication and Mass Media Complete database.

Word Count: 583


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Comments

  1. KHNovember 5, 2018 at 12:22 PM

    Well worth the wait, Johnny.

    While we haven't discussed national identity as thoroughly as we've discussed race, class, gender, sexuality, disability and other "markers" of difference, these days, how one identifies as "American" is intricately bound up in discourses of "us vs. them" common to Trump-era populism. Good on you for bringing this up for discussion.

    Apart from the topic's relevance during a historic midterm election that may turn on the vexing issue of immigration, you've identified and made productive use of a relevant piece of scholarship that underscores youth activism and identity formation within and through digital media.

    I'm especially pleased you addressed the importance of story and storytelling throughout. Perhaps a few thoughts connecting this project with some of our previous discussions on the transformative potential of personal narratives would make this point even clearer.

    So, apart from minor issues with your APA reference (UpPeR and lOwEr case font), this is a first rate essay that makes a welcome contribution to our virtual discussion of the intersection between identity and media.

    In any event, here's hoping that your classmates will read, learn, and continue to explore this ongoing struggle for recognition. In a political discourse as divisive as ours, this generation needs constant reminder that the US is a nation of immigrants. And that we are stronger for it.

    Thanks again!
    27 pts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 6, 2018 at 5:30 AM

    Jonathan,

    I’m glad you chose the topic of national identity because the topic is extremely relevant at the moment.
    I appreciate how you emphasized the power of media activism as it is becoming increasingly important in social justice activism. Media activism, when properly organized, helps bringing activism to the streets just like you said was the case with undocumented youth. I would even argue that media activism will eventually become, if it is not already, the most powerful form of activism as it is able to reach a lot of people in a short amount of time. Media activism is also popular among youth, meaning it will for sure be the key tool in the social justice movements in the future.

    Your post does a great job illustrating the importance of media activism and highlights a relevant issue we haven’t discussed in class yet. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 9, 2018 at 12:45 PM

    Jonathan,

    This is, as Pia notes, an extremely relevant piece as our country experiences various immigaration issues. You have opened my eyes to an entire new spectrum from the immigrants point of view. I had not realized that the undocumented youth were using media platforms to garner public awareness as effective as you explain. I found that particular point rather interesting. This blog has inspired me to read/research media activism as, you explain, is becoming increasingly powerful.

    Overall great blog and good work!

    ReplyDelete

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