Brainstorm Week 7 - Paul Druta

The usage of social media by undocuqueer activists closely resembles the ideas of Chicanxfuturisms that we learned about in Week 6. Undocuqueer individuals in the United States find themselves in a society that puts them at risk of social death. Society has rejected them on the basis of their immigration status and their sexuality, leading many of these individuals to stay silent to avoid being "found out". Social media has provided these undocuqueer activists with a platform where they are able to express themselves and their challenges to a wider audience in a safe environment. Chicanxfuturisms are all about changing the way that that people perceive Mexican-Americans and redesigning a future where Chicano/as are empowered and free from the constraints of colonialism's lasting influence. In this way, we can see social media as an extension of Chicanxfuturisms since it allows marginalized groups to be able to expand awareness for the injustices they face and reshape the way that people in these marginalized groups see themselves and also the way that people outside of these groups view them. The accessibility of social medias and modern technology allows undocuqueer activists to connect with activist leaders and members of other social movements and develop larger coalitions of people fighting against the confines of neoliberalism. Julio Salgado touches upon this intersection of different social movements by stating: "Immigration and LGBTIQ issues are controversial topics that have gained prominence in political and social circles throughout the nation and at the ballot boxes. These are not parallel movements, but intersecting ones in the fight for social justice. This is true for those who are undocumented and identify as queer, but also for those who are in one or the other (or neither) because of the interconnectedness of all those fighting for human rights" ("Undocuqueer Movement").

Beyond serving as a way for social movements to manifest through connections on social media, modern technology also doubles as a practice of resilience as well. Undocuqueer activists use social media as a way to express themselves and not be forgotten. Social media allows queer artists to share their art to wider audiences. Channeling creativity into art for online consumption is a way for undocuqueer activists to cope with the frustrations and challenges of being undocumented and queer in America. This is exactly what led Julio Salgado to start making his art: "Still making burritos after college graduation, Salgado decided to channel his anger and energy into writing, art, and political action." (Seif).