commUNITY, career pressure, and creating after loss
Celebrating Native Women through film, Android/Samsung screen reader, and animated short about finding inspiration to create
IN THE MARGINS
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
I hated being asked that as a child during a drawing exercise and I hated being asked that as a teenager just before exams for university applications. Maybe other countries are different, but in the States the pressure to define your career, and inherently your value or worth to society, starts at a young age. What you do to make money somehow has become equated with who you are as a person. Kids and young adults are asked to have their futures planned out and know what they want out of life as if it were some permanent plan that can’t change yet the adults asking them don’t even have their shit together.
I do see things changing as new careers arise and new pathways to traditional ones are paved. With job titles like “influencer” or the ability to build a “personal brand”, the line between personal and professional is increasingly blurry. But even through those shifts, what you do isn’t who you are. (Unless you’re an evil ass billionaire lol #BullyTheBillionaires)
So instead of asking “what do you want to be when you grow up”, let's instead ask:
“What type of person do you want to be?”
“How many dreams do you want to chase?”
“In what ways do you want to help yourself and others?”
ACCESSIBILITY
Android + Samsung Screen Reader
Samsung has been putting their money where their mouth is in regards to their “ongoing commitment” to creating a mobile experience that is inclusive and accessible to everyone. They recently partnered with Android for the screen reader TalkBack to add new gestures and an updated menu system.
While it’s great that TalkBack will become the default screen reader for all new Samsung Galaxy phones, it falls short in helping people with other models and/or older phones. I’m keeping an eye out to see how, or if, they address that.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Film Celebration of Native Women
Join Vision Maker Media for a month-long worldwide online streaming event in celebration of Women’s History Month. “commUNITY: Herald Native Women” features a curation of online films all produced and/or directed by Native women
The event portrays Native women in leadership, coming of age, and language revitalization stories suitable for the entire family. Accompanying the films, Vision Maker Media, in partnership with Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO), will host a free moderated panel with effective Native women leaders for social change.
Making Matriarchs
This discussion will feature 4 Native women leaders from AIO’s Ambassadors Program - the only national leadership training that encourages Native leaders to weave their traditional tribal values in a contemporary reality in order to affect positive social change and advance human rights. On March 16th at 7:00 PM CT, join as they show the importance of female leadership, the influence of matriarchy, and Indigenous values-based leadership development.
ART & DESIGN
Reclaiming Creativity and Passion
There aren’t many Black creators in the animation field but Black film director Frank Abney is raking in recognition for his 9-minute animated short ‘Canvas’. The film takes place after a heartbreaking loss, showing a grandfather struggling to reclaim his passion for painting and finding the inspiration to create again.
Aside from the many positive reviews in the press, ‘Canvas’ has received industry accolades as well. A few nominations include:
“Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)” by the NAACP Image Awards®️
“Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing– Animation Short Form” by the Golden Reel Awards
“Best Short Film” by the Hollywood Critics Association
Watch 'Canvas' on Netflix // More Behind the Scenes
Signing off from the Starship SBLTN,
Laneen
Pronouns: they/them/theirs, she/her/hers
🎧 Listening - "Oceano" by Roberto Cacciapaglia
👀 Watching - Deborah Anderson, Black Woman Animator's YouTube channel
📖 Reading - "Creative Strategy & The Business of Design" by Douglas Davis
💬 Quote - “Working, teaching, and learning are inseparable in a profession that keeps changing” - Douglas Davis