Edith Cruz, 21, of Lexington was nominated and selected for her audio podcasting work that explores social justice and feminism within the Latinx Community. Edith’s primary mediums are audio podcasting, storytelling and citizen journalism. Her podcasts center storytelling around immigration, biculturalism and bilingualism, specifically the experiences of persons with DACA, POC and Immigrant youth.
Edith says of her work, “My work is unique because I give others a platform and a guide for them to tell their own stories. That’s what radio/podcasting is all about or at least that’s what it should be. When we have big media outlets tell the stories of many immigrant and Latinx Youth, those stories lose their meaning and reality because they are told by someone who has no relation to it. I believe that the best way to keep story-telling raw and real is by letting each person tell their own story. This is what I do in my work, I open the conversations of very real and unique events that connect to the immigrant/Latinx community. At the same time, I bring a different person each time to use their own voice in order to tell their story.”
Edith focuses on telling and highlighting stories of young immigrant youth with a focus on young women, POC and members of the LGBTQIA community. “She is unapologetically focused on creating stories that humanize immigrants and bring LGBTQIA front and center,” said her nominator.
Her podcasts focus on showing the impact of attacks on DACA and how the lack of humane reform have left youth struggling with imaging their futures. Edith uses her voice and storytelling to discuss why DACA is so important, but also how it falls short in supporting and protecting people without documentation. She uses her podcast to talk about the need for comprehensive immigration policies that allow for greater access for all persons, not just those immigrants who are desirable.