Welcome back to Infinite Patterns: a Kaleidoscope podcast! This week, we’re excited to share Episode 5, where we delve into amplifying marginalized perspectives in journalism. As we approach the final episode of Season 1, now is the perfect time to catch up on all the insightful conversations from this season. You can find us on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform!
In this episode, we’re joined by two remarkable guests who are redefining the media landscape: Uyiosa Elegon, the Marketing and Development Director at Shift Press, and Giannina Ong, the Editor-in-Chief of Mochi Magazine. Both are passionate advocates for amplifying voices that are often silenced, and lead publications that are correcting narratives around youth and Asian American communities.
Uyiosa Elegon is a trailblazer in Houston’s media scene, set on creating a robust youth media ecosystem. “Things are not pulled into the mainstream of dialogue unless it really, really bothers adults,” he notes. Uyoisa points out a “starvation” among youth and organizers for more storytelling opportunities that platform and respect young voices, making them vulnerable to adult-centric narratives that detract from youth power-building.
“The purpose of media is to give people access to the information that helps them take grassroots action.” This purpose underpins Shift Press’s mission, where they teach and pay youth to create media that reflects their experiences and challenges the norms of traditional journalism. Uyiosa rejects the concept of objectivity in media. Transformation occurs “in between the lines,” and it’s critical for journalists to take the responsibility and power of stewarding a reader’s experience of a story seriously.
Giannina and Uyoisa agree on this: the supposed objectivity of the stories that shape us is meant to keep us looking at one another for the source of our oppression, instead of up—at the systems and institutions that harm us, flattening complex lived experiences. “It’s interesting that subjectivity feels like a bad word. But, it’s important to know the positionality of the person telling the story so that you know what’s at stake for [them],” Giannina shares.
Giannina Ong leads Mochi Magazine, the longest-running publication for and by Asian American women. Mochi Mag is a place for contributors to “practice” bucking against the ‘model minority’ myth many Asian Americans face. Giannina wanted to create a community space where the complexities of being Asian in America are allowed to be messy and evolving, seen and held. “As an individual, it’s hard to have power. Even though we have unique perspectives, there is a power in reveling in the things that we find similar in one another. In the softness, we find collectivity [and] community.”
Both publishers are rewarded for their outlets’ candor with positive feedback from their communities. Uyoisa shared that people often say, “Y’all do us so right!” Their work not only resonates but also builds beloved connections within their audiences.
As we wrap up this penultimate episode of Season 1, it’s clear that the future of media lies in embracing the fullness of our identities and the stories we tell. We invite you to keep the conversation going! Follow Shift Press on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and explore their website at shift.press. Also, check out Mochi Magazine on Instagram and visit their website at mochimag.com. Mochi Mag is also currently looking for guest contributions and has exciting job opportunities!
Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode of Infinite Patterns! We can’t wait to share our final episode with you in two weeks, where we’ll continue exploring the infinite perspectives of the media landscape. Until then, keep listening, sharing, and engaging!