Week 7 Brainstorm

The use of social media by undocuqueer artivistas to share their stories and build community is very much an important part of Chicanxfuturism. It is a practice of using modern technology, which in itself is Chicanxfuturism because it defies stereotypes that Chicanx people can't use modern technology and also because it is a way of liberating Chicanx people through technology. The way Julio describes his feelings about the community he's found through his projects makes it sound like he's found something invaluable. He'd turn away the financial benefits of citizenship to retain this special thing he's found in undocuqueers through social media.
Their use of social media refuses Cacho's description of "social death" by sharing the stories of these people who you'd might think to be destined to social death. Being queer is hard enough in this country, but that combined with being undocumented brings a whole other level of challenges. People having to deal with both are likely victims of social death, however the way social media is used by Dreamers Adrift and projects like and within in give these people an outlet to share their story and show people that they matter and that reveal the horrible circumstances they have to deal with. It's a great way of opposing social death. Their practice is absolutely a form of resilience, it's a great way to thrive and fight back, especially because things like Youtube have the potential to reach large and wide audiences, which is a crucial part of wide-scale resilience. Connecting to other undocumented and/or undocuqueer people across the country is community-building and makes everyone in the community stronger and feel supported.