What's the background story?
The premise of these workshops came from my research on teens and how they build their self-identity and self-worth in this timely phase of their lives and how social media and today's networked channels impact the formation.
When I was a teenager, what got me through junior high school and high school was art classes. I wasn't good at math or science and I was an average student. I really struggled in my AP classes. I thought I should take AP classes because they would look good on my resume and would carry over for college credit. I took Chinese classes and SAT prep classes during my summer vacations.Â
I won a competition through ArtsConnection in junior high school. I remember I scaled up a drawing of a seated ballerina. I was really proud of it because it was pretty close to the original photograph. The prize was either a FIT art class or a Pearl Paint gift card. I took the latter and got a free Adobe Illustrator class out of it. I remember in the class we had to replicate a product in a magazine advertisement and I chose a perfume bottle.
Teens and social media has been a hot topic in the news. From the books I've read, I resonate with It's Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens versus The App Generation.Â
Where I stand in this debate:
For the most part I think we should teens alone. Most teens have a good head on their shoulders and are thinking about and reflecting upon what is happening around them in real thoughtful ways.
My mom will tell me to do better in school, you have to study more, the idea of saying study more is not what I am looking for. She doesnât have to tell me that. Adults will give advice that he or she believes is the best for the child when the child already understands the idea of the advice, but is choosing a different path to walk towards.
The way society runs and operates at times, it is unnatural and strange, especially when it comes to our education system. In school we are given immense pressure. I believe we are suppose to learn and educate ourselves about the world, but with all these tests and exams, which our teachers are trying to cram through us. Think about it like this, when you see a dog that can sit, roll over, do you call it well-trained or well-educated? And at times, I believe we are trained to do a specific task and we arenât actually learning anything.Â
At the same token I worry about teenage girls. Relational aggression or mean girls syndrome is alive and well. Though cyber bullying is a buzzword and will now live in today's society, I don't think kids are being bullied more so because of technology, but it has been an enabler for bullying in a new territory. And given the medium, being removed from face to face interactions and ownership causes people to be meaner, adults are at fault too. I would say the sketch that Louis CK's "On Driving" is the same for people behind a screen. When you are once removed and the interaction is asynchronous people might not think twice about what they say.Â
I also worry about teens who might not have a support system or identify with anyone at home or at school. As well as teens from immigrant families who have to grow up a bit faster than their peers and have to deal with things that average teens do not have to worry or think about (ie: green card, citizenship, etc). Underserved teens who feel like they were pitted in unfair conditions or feel helpless and those same teens who don't know what type of resources they have access to within their community.Â
And so the birth of QNSKID.
A series of free youth workshops geared to empower teens in the Queens community.
Through my work at QNSMADE I've met a lot of awesome people who are doing amazing things. I've gotten the opportunity to talk to them and hence learn from them. I thought why not take these Queens artists and a group of teens in one room. Teens can meet other teens that they might not know within their circle of friends. And I want the person leading the "workshop" to have free range as to what they want to do and share with the group. My role is to support them, promote the workshop beforehand, take care of applications (parental consent forms), and supply any necessary materials for the workshop.Â
A lot of youth programs's mission is to "empower" the youth and the way I think we can do that is to show them that there are so many possibilities out there. There isn't a straight and narrow path in life, even if they want to be a doctor that road can be winding. I want to lead by example and so sharing having the "teachers" share their own stories and journey to where they are now in a informal and fun, but safe environment.Â
The first installment kicks off with Steve Vazquez of Queenscapes. He was the first person I reached out to with this idea. And he signed on immediately and brought on a slew of sponsors and eyeballs on the initiative. And for that I am forever grateful for our many collaborations.
The first workshop will help frame the next one and so on...
