Co-Curricular Activity Reflection

Explore My Co-Curricular Activity Reflection: Related to My Minor Journey

Uzuegbunam’s lecture, Digitality, Mobility, and Sociality in Context: A Decolonial-Exploratory Study of Youth in South Africa, provided a nuanced perspective on digital disparities, youth agency, and decolonial research approaches. As a student minoring in Media and Politics, this talk resonated deeply with my academic focus on how media structures are shaped by political and social power dynamics as also Uzuegbunam’s research explores how digital media access intersects with systemic inequalities, revealing how marginalized youth repurpose media despite economic and infrastructural constraints.  

One of the most compelling takeaways from his talk was his critique of the "lack approach," which frames marginalized youth as passive victims of socio-economic and technological trends. This resonates with key themes in my minor studies, particularly media representation and power in a globalized world, as it challenges dominant narratives and highlights the agency of marginalized communities. His argument aligns with one of the readings I studied in a class, which was by Joschka Philipps, his critique in “A Global Generation? Youth Studies in a Postcolonial World”, which challenges the assumption that all young people experience globalization in the same way. Both scholars emphasize the importance of local socio-historical contexts in shaping youth experiences. This perspective is central to media studies' concerns about representation, agency, and media access. This critique aligns with broader debates in youth studies that challenge universalist assumptions about globalization. It reinforces the importance of analyzing media consumption and production within specific social and historical contexts. Moreover, Uzuegbunam’s decolonial research methods, particularly his use of PhotoVoice, demonstrate how media can serve as a tool for empowerment rather than merely a subject of analysis. By allowing young people to document their digital realities through photography, his approach challenges traditional media narratives that often depict African youth through a lens of deficiency. By shifting power to those traditionally marginalized, this participatory method underscores a key theme in the media and politics minor which is media’s ability not only to reflect but to shape public discourse and policy. This highlights broader questions in digital media governance, particularly regarding whose voices are heard and who controls the platforms shaping public narratives.

Another key connection between Uzuegbunam’s work and the minor is his analysis of digital inequality as a continuation of colonial power structures. His critique of how modern media environments are shaped by colonial legacies echoes broader discussions in media and politics regarding digital sovereignty and access. Many debates in digital governance explore how global tech platforms reinforce Western-centric power structures, limiting the agency of users from the Global South. This has practical implications for policy development, particularly in ensuring equitable access to digital resources and media representation. Addressing these challenges requires not only greater investment in digital infrastructure but also policies that empower local media initiatives and support alternative narratives that challenge dominant global media discourses. Uzuegbunam’s talk left me with critical questions about how scholars can balance highlighting disparities without reinforcing deficit-based narratives. It also made me reflect on how decolonial approaches can be more effectively integrated into policy and technology design to ensure marginalized youth are not merely studied but are active participants in shaping digital futures. 

Overall, as I’m deeply interested in media and politics, I believe these discussions reaffirm the importance of examining media through a political lens. Access to digital tools is not merely about technology, it is about power. Ensuring equitable digital access requires rethinking governance structures, amplifying marginalized voices, and fostering media policies that challenge dominant power dynamics.

Works cited : 

Philipps, J. (2018, February 27). A global generation? Youth Studies in a postcolonial world. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/8/1/14