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.