In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be unveiling a new project that we are collaborating on with digital media and performance artists. I believe in the power of storytelling to provide a human element to issues that affect our communities.  More importantly they put a face to the struggle or the hate that people feel against certain populations.

Storytelling also provides a sense of therapy for those that share their stories with others. Most importantly it creates a sense of validation for their experiences and it informs them that they exist and that they are acknowledged in a system that has them living in the shadows. Perhaps, they can’t come out of the shadows, but they are people, they are human, they have faced things that others could never imagine, and their struggle matters and it is real.

The Urban Arts Partnership, an arts non-profit in Manhattan works with immigrant students to tell their stories in a digital storytelling workshop. Through the Urban Arts Media Lab, the students do not only learn how to create and edit their own videos, but they also learn English at the same time. It’s a powerful program and the kids love it.

Here’s an excerpt from one of the students:

My name is Eduardo, I am a rising Junior at Gregorio Luperon High School in Washington Heights. I arrived from the Dominican Republic two years ago when I was 15-years-old. This is my second year in Media Lab – it has been a good experience for me because I am improving my skills in video production. I have taken on the roles of cinematographer (the camera operator) and editor. For Undocumented and Unafraid, I have been the main cinematographer for “Camera A”, which captures the principle photography and some B-roll. During the past week, we have been working hard on production for Undocumented and Unafraid.

In the beginning of the week, we visited Melissa at Lehman College, where she is a sophomore in Psychology and Sociology. Our interview focused on her experience as an undocumented student. She shared with us the importance of education (especially for undocumented youth) and the importance of the government passing the DREAM Act. Later in the week, we started capturing lyrical shots for the film – this is footage that very poetic and experimental and will be intercut with the more traditional footage of the interviews.