WHY IS SELF-DOCUMENTATION IMPORTANT?
There are many reasons why self-documentation is important to us. Oftentimes marginalized voices are quieted, sometimes to the point of complete silence. Even the sounds of our names, a most basic representation, can be drowned out by all the dominant noises. It can be empowering to a person to record their own history. This agency that comes with controlling the ways in which your histories are remembered informs how we treat ourselves and our communities, with love, care, and value. We are storytellers and we have the power to change our own narratives and shape collective narratives. The documenting options are limitless and by creating on our own (D.I.Y.) we make accessibility a principle.
In June 2016, more than 70 zinemakers responded to the prompt, IN FIVE WORDS, WHY IS SELF-DOCUMENTATION IMPORTANT? Here's what they said.
Because it facilitates self reflection. - Adam Longhurst
Map of shortcomings and growth. - Aidan Delaney
Progressively evolving mass cultural awareness! - Alex Rivera
Heal and grow despite all efforts. - Alex B
All voices must be heard - Angelica
Taking hold of our history! - Ari Perezdiez
Because all of us matter! - Ashlie Andrade
to mark we were here - Austin
Saving face, self exploration, memories - Avery Spencer
preservation of who we are - Andrew Lopez
To make the invisible visible. - Bean Tupou
Your story matters to someone - Beatriz Lopez
growing in clarity and accuracy - Benny O'Hara
To personally write our history. - Buffalo
Allows for community truth telling - Cellista
to see how you grow - Claudia
for something to hold onto - Corbin
I won't compromise my vision. - Cristal Olivas
Experiencing candidly through others' perception. - Danita Sylvester
To remind myself, I exist. - Danny Tran
Remind yourself of your roots - Edgar Godinez
Knowledge of self is everything. - Erica Benton
Give voice to my self - Estrellita Munoz
Tracking growth, and lack thereof. - Haley BG
It helps you find yourself! - Hector
it proves we are here - Holly Jo
Reflection. Growth. Becoming self aware. - Iris Santos
Exploring different pathways of understanding - Jack Hela
avoid fleeting into thin air - Jane Ruby
community / survival / growth / healing / preservation - Jasmine
Reflection is crucial for growth - Jason Rodriguez
KNOW THYSELF KNOW THYSELF KNOW - Jennifer Love
The underground needs a voice - John Hugo Schmidt
Bringing together a vast community. - Jose Francisco Govea
Stories and self-expression are survival. - Julia Halprin Jackson
Necessary representation of the under-represented - Julie Cardenas
It reminds us we exist. - Kar A Johnson
To remember a hard femme! - Kar
Helps you reflect and grow - Kelly Long
mainstream media IS white supremacy! - Kian Martin
you are not actually alone - Laura Godoy
To avoid misremembering the present. - Li Patron
good for growth and grounding - Lindsay Rodriguez
We are each living history. - Lynn Rogers
There's only one of me. - Maryela Perez
remind yourself about yourself - Matthew Valdez
depression eats at my memory - Maureen O'Neill
I MUST tell my story - Max Maker
To remember why you ached. - Melina Ramirez
to quietly prove i existed - Meredith Wallace
to give my voice power - Michelle Anna Boire
Keeps you true to yourself. - Nas Johnson
To always grow / always remember - Otessa Crandall
We have stories to tell - Poliana Irizarry
I can always be better - Rich G
my work will survive me - Ryan X
documentation must challenge dominant narratives - Sam I
Meaning exists only through narrative - Sebastian Gomez
Who else will do it? - Shahani
To live, and not forget - Sharanya Sanjay
recorded history helps you grow - Sherrise
we only have our selves - Simone Larson
Processing my past to heal. - Sprout Scheier
authenticity, self-actualization, awareness, and reflection - Stephanie Waslohn
What if I'm not remembered? - Tricia Ramos
i'm never that person again. - Zachary Durian
Personal vulnerability for political causes. - Zain Ahmed
communication with other life forms. - Zaina Alsous
Summer of Discontent was a three-month-long event, collaboratively organized by four San Jose groups: Think & Die Thinking, Silicon Valley De-Bug, My Dungeon Shook, and Cheers from the Wasteland. It was created in 2014 as an experiment in kick-starting some creativity and making space for people who might not always feel they get to be creative. It serves to document our experiences and record our collective histories, through self-publishing. The project stretches from the end of spring til the end of summer. Participants create a new zine or zines over the period of the summer and present and trade them at an end of summer event.