By Any Media Necessary: The New Youth Activism

by Henry Jenkins, Sangita Shresthova, Liana Gamber-Thompson, Neta Kligler-Vilenchik, Arely Zimmerman

Overview

The participatory politics and civic engagement of youth in the digital age

There is a widespread perception that the foundations of American democracy are dysfunctional, public trust in core institutions is eroding, and little is likely to emerge from traditional politics that will shift those conditions. Youth are often seen as emblematic of this crisis—frequently represented as uninterested in political life, ill-informed about current-affairs, and unwilling to register and vote.

By Any Media Necessary offers a profoundly different picture of contemporary American youth. Young men and women are tapping into the potential of new forms of communication such as social media platforms, spreadable videos and memes, remixing the language of popular culture, and seeking to bring about political change—by any media necessary. In a series of case studies covering a diverse range of organizations, networks, and movements involving young people in the political process—from the Harry Potter Alliance which fights for human rights in the name of the popular fantasy franchise to immigration rights advocates using superheroes to dramatize their struggles—By Any Media Necessary examines the civic imagination at work. Before the world can change, people need the ability to imagine what alternatives might look like and identify paths by which change can be achieved. Exploring new forms of political activities and identities emerging from the practice of participatory culture, By Any Media Necessary reveals how these shifts in communication have unleashed a new political dynamism in American youth.

Read Online at connectedyouth.nyupress.org

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781479874149
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	11/06/2018
Series:	Connected Youth and Digital Futures , #3
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Henry Jenkins (Author)
Henry Jenkins is Provost’s Professor of Communication, Journalism, Cinematic Arts and Education at the University of Southern California. He is the author or coauthor of twenty books including Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture, Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide, Spreadable Media: Creating Value and Meaning in a Networked Culture, and By Any Media Necessary: The New Youth Activism.

Sangita Shresthova (Author)
Sangita Shresthova is the Director of Research of Civic Paths@USC. Her previous books include By Any Media Necessary: The New Youth Activism (with Henry Jenkins et al.) and Is it All About Hips?: Around the World With Bollywood Dance.

Liana Gamber-Thompson (Author)
Liana Gamber-Thompson is a Program Associate at the National Writing Project and the Community Manager for Connected Learning TV.

Neta Kligler-Vilenchik (Author)
Neta Kligler-Vilenchik is Assistant Professor of Communication at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Arely Zimmerman (Author)
Arely M. Zimmerman is Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies at Mills College in Oakland, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

1 Youth Voice, Media, and Political Engagement: Introducing the Core Concepts Henry Jenkins 1

2 "Watch 30 Minute Video on Internet, Become Social Activist"? Kony 2012, Invisible Children, and the Paradoxes of Participatory Politics Sangita Shresthova 61

3 "Decreasing World Suck": Harnessing Popular Culture for Fan Activism Neta Kligler-Vilenchik 102

4 Between Storytelling and Surveillance: The Precarious Public of American Muslim Youth Sangita Shresthova 149

5 DREAMing Citizenship: Undocumented Youth, Corning Out, and Pathways to Participation Liana Gamber-Thompson Arely M. Zimmerman 186

6 Bypassing the Ballot Box: How Libertarian Youth Are Reimagining the Political Liana Gamber-Thompson 219

7 "It's Called Giving a Shit!": What Counts as "Politics"? Henry Jenkins Sangita Shresthova 253

Afterword: Necessary Learning Elisabeth Soep 290

Notes 309

Bibliography 311

Index 335

About the Authors 347

Editorial Reviews

"In line with civic media scholarship that focuses on the opportunities for emerging technologies and digital cultures to buttress collective action, By Any Media Necessary suggests the important role of new media and technologies in facilitating political engagement and participatory practice. The notions of transmedia activism and mobilization are effectively analyzed to discuss how youth tap into the potentials of media platforms and networked communications—from social media, spreadable videos, and Internet memes—and use their digital skills in a collaborative and participatory manner in seeking to bring about political change."

International Journal of Communication

"By Any Media Necessaryis fascinating continuation of Jenkinss previous work and should be of great use for media studies scholars, as well as anyone interested in better understanding youth perceptions and actions related to the political realm."

Journal of American Culture

"Readers are given a nuanced picture of the successes and complications of youth activism and participatory politics in the current era."

Choice

"Understanding the connections between practices of media consumption andenduringcivic engagement is one of the most exciting challenges that cultural studies currently faces. For over a decade, Henry Jenkins has been exploring this issue, and now he and an excellent team of co-authors offer the most searching examination of this question for a U.S. context that we have. An inspiring and enlivening book, this is a definite must read!"

Nick Couldry

"A much-needed narration of political agency that tackles its many contradictions head on, without losing sight of nuance. The books case studies, rich in detail, are wonderful invitations to think more and better about the role of empathy, care, ethics, empowerment, and participation in our contemporary political realities."

Nico Carpentier

"An indispensable guide to the changing shape of civic and political agency in a digital age. With richly detailed case studies, Jenkins and his team have captured an origin story: the moment when participatory culture got hooked up with politics and the fundamentals of modern democracies shifted beneath our feet."

Danielle Allen

"Fantasy is not an escape from our world; its an invitation to go deeper into it. The most relevant book of our era, it will undoubtedly inspire you and those you love to join the millions of people who are transforming our world: by any media necessary."

Andrew Slack

"A far-reaching book that explores the many different digital strategies and platforms young people use to have their voices heard and their political agendas advanced. The case studies at the heart of this book are powerful, telling the story of how young people across demographic categories are using digital media to engage in a new form of politicsParticipatory Politicsthat is destined to significantly shape civic life for years to come."

Cathy J. Cohen

An indispensable guide to the changing shape of civic and political agency in a digital age. With richly detailed case studies, Jenkins and his team have captured an origin story: the moment when participatory culture got hooked up with politics and the fundamentals of modern democracies shifted beneath our feet.”-Danielle Allen,co-editor of From Voice to Influence: Understanding Citizenship in the Digital Age

“Understanding the connections between practices of media consumption and enduring civic engagement is one of the most exciting challenges that cultural studies currently faces. For over a decade, Henry Jenkins has been exploring this issue, and now he and an excellent team of co-authors offer the most searching examination of this question for a U.S. context that we have. An inspiring and enlivening book, this is a definite must read!”-Nick Couldry, London School of Economics and Political Science

“Fantasy is not an escape from our world; it’s an invitation to go deeper into it. The most relevant book of our era, it will undoubtedly inspire you and those you love to join the millions of people who are transforming our world: by any media necessary.”-Andrew Slack,creator/co-founder of the Harry Potter Alliance

“A much-needed narration of political agency that tackles its many contradictions head on, without losing sight of nuance. The book’s case studies, rich in detail, are wonderful invitations to think more and better about the role of empathy, care, ethics, empowerment, and participation in our contemporary political realities.”-Nico Carpentier,Uppsala University, Sweden

“A far-reaching book that explores the many different digital strategies and platforms young people use to have their voices heard and their political agendas advanced. The case studies at the heart of this book are powerful, telling the story of how young people across demographic categories are using digital media to engage in a new form of politics—Participatory Politics—that is destined to significantly shape civic life for years to come.”-Cathy J. Cohen,author of Democracy Remixed: Black Youth and the Future of American Politics

From the Publisher