Hello, blog universe! This week in my Digital Media Literacy class, we started learning about the concept of the Civic Imagination Project. It’s all about recognizing our roles as civic agents to spark change, build a sense of collective identity, and embrace empathy for others, especially those who may be different from us. As a huge Marvel fan, I couldn’t resist choosing “Black Panther” as my focus for this composition.

So why “Black Panther“? Well, it stands out from the typical superhero narrative by emphasizing the power of the collective over the individual. This film is a reimagining that challenges how many of us view African identity through the lens of American media.

“Black Panther” was directed by Ryan Coogler and hit theaters in 2018, “Black Panther” features the late Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, the king of the technologically advanced fictional African nation of Wakanda. The film opens with a glimpse into the socio-economic struggles in Oakland, California, in 1992 before returning to the world of Wakanda, a place rich in African culture and cutting-edge technology. Through this contrast, “Black Panther” depicts Wakanda and its people in a positive light through identity, empowerment, and community, pushing back against the negative stereotypes often associated with Africa.

The film is reimagined as an alternative to the historical views many perceive of the African continent and its people, with images of poverty and conflict. Instead, the film repositions the African people as leaders and stewards instead of casting them as victims of years of historical injustices. Watching this film allows audiences to rethink preconceived notions about Africa’s cultural diversity and its innovative spirit.

The narrative told throughout “Black Panther” is not just about entertainment; it’s about sparking change in how stories are told surrounding culture. The film not only depicts African culture positively but further showcases the incredible strength of sisterhood among its female characters, revealing their vital leadership roles within Wakandan society. It tackles the complexities of race and culture, encouraging us to see ourselves as potential agents of social change. This reexamination of our societal attitudes calls for a systemic change in how we portray African experiences and the values of gender and racial equality.

One of the standout moments for me is the speech at the end of the movie, where T’Challa addresses the United Nations and delivers a resonant message: “We will strive to be an example of how we, as brothers and sisters on this earth, should treat one another. Now, more than ever, the illusions of division pose a threat to our very existence.” These words not only underline the need for unity but reflect the heart of civic imagination itself.

“Black Panther” is playing a vital role in dismantling long-standing stereotypes about race, African culture, and gender roles. It has made the Black community feel seen and sparked necessary dialogues around representation. Plus, let’s not forget how the Wakanda Forever salute has become a pop culture phenomenon, akin to the three-fingered salute from “The Hunger Games.” The visibility for social justice and cultural identity since the film’s release has been remarkable, even though Wakanda itself is an aspirational idea.

To wrap it up, “Black Panther” is more than just a superhero movie; it’s a cultural milestone redefining narratives about African identity and empowerment. Its influence stretches beyond entertainment, inspiring us to envision a future where diversity and innovation thrive. Engaging with such transformative works not only broadens our perspectives on social issues but also fuels our passion for advocating positive change. As we lift up diverse narratives, we move closer to the ideals of unity, respect, and equity that “Black Panther” so powerfully embodies.

Hey there! In this blog post, I’m excited to share insights from my 24-hour media diary, where I’ll explore my media consumption habits. By tracking when and how I interact with various types of media, my goal is to gain a better understanding of my usage patterns and evaluate the credibility of the sources I rely on.

6:00 a.m. 1/15/2025 My alarm goes off, and like clockwork, I hit snooze for a solid nine minutes while scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. Isn’t this how everyone wakes up?

6:15 a.m. Time to get moving! I open my Spotify app and pump up my morning exercise playlist. Heavy workout playlist.

7:30-9:00 a.m. I’m juggling two laptops now—one for work and one for school. I start with checking my work emails and peeking at my calendar. Meanwhile, my personal laptop is open, and I’m keeping tabs on my school emails while ABC News plays in the background on TV. I start writing and working on any assignments or discussions for the week. I found that I operate best in the morning when I first get up.

9:30 a.m. Fieldwork kicks off, which means lots of driving around Indianapolis. During these long drives, I’m all about the mix—Spotify playlists, engaging podcasts, uplifting tunes, and audiobooks. I also tune in to NPR on 90.1 FM. Oh, and since I’m getting ready for a media, culture, and society class in Cuba, I’m squeezing in some survival Spanish practice. I’m using a PDF through the Spotify app to help me out!

11:00 a.m. I hop onto a Microsoft Teams meeting with my supervisor to discuss the week’s main issues and objectives.

11:30 a.m. After the meeting wraps up, I keep NPR on while I scroll through my phone and grab lunch. I take this time to check Facebook, Instagram, and my emails. I also open a couple of workout apps, such as Train Heroic, which I use to see what I’m coaching for the day, log my meals on the Fat Secret app, and jot down a few thoughts in my journal.

12:20-7:30 p.m. Since I’m flying solo for most of the day, I’m using Spotify a ton to fill my ears with music. If I turn on the radio, it’s usually NPR. I coach later in the evening and keep rocking those Spotify workout playlists while I coach, work out, or head home.

8:00 p.m. Now it’s time to get down to business and crack open my “History of Mass Communication” book and read Chapters 1-3. I’ve got a deep focus playlist going on Spotify in the background, which really helps me retain all that information.

9:12 p.m. I wrap up journaling for the day and set a few emails through Microsoft Outloook to go out first thing in the morning.

10:15 p.m. This is where things can get tricky—sleeping can be tough once school starts up. So, I turn on “No Reservations” with Anthony Bourdain to unwind. It really calms my mind after a busy day. I also spend about 10-20 minutes scrolling through Handshake messages, most of which are just spam.

Reflection

Tracking my daily media usage revealed some eye-opening patterns. Given that I spend most of my day alone, I find that I listen to music, audiobooks, or podcasts on Spotify for about 6-8 hours a day. I also realized I’m on Facebook for about 2 hours and Instagram for around an hour and a half. Plus, I enjoy about an hour of NPR and spend another hour and a half checking and replying to emails.

Most of my media use falls into the categories of entertainment, education, news, and socialization. Honestly, I was expecting to find that I spend more time on classic social sites like Facebook and Instagram, but it turns out that I’m not as glued to them as I thought.

Media Sources

When I think about the media sources I engaged with over the last 24 hours, here are the ones I trust the most:

Spotify/Music/Podcast/Audiobook/Education: I mainly use Spotify for music, but it’s also great for podcasts and educational content like audiobooks for learning Spanish. Overall, It’s a solid all-around resource for me.

Radio News/National Public Radio/NPR: NPR is my go-to for news. I find their reporting reliable, covering global and local stories with a focus on quality. Plus, as a non-profit, they operate independently of corporations and government entities, so I feel good about tuning in.

Hulu/Streaming Service: Hulu has made a name for itself as a reputable source of entertainment and news, especially with its partnership with ABC News, which often runs in the background while I tackle my day.

Keeping track of my media consumption has really encouraged me to take a closer look at my habits and to reflect on how I spend my time, as well as which sources I find reliable. As I progress through my digital media literacy course, I aim to sharpen my media consumption skills, placing greater emphasis on trustworthy sources while considering the impact media has on my daily life and that of my community.