Media Education is a Must for Curriculum Today
By Rose Carlson and Dr. Benjamin M. Drury
UCIMC, the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, plays a crucial role in addressing the disparities in graduation rates between white students and Black and Latino students by focusing on amplifying the voices of racialized and minoritized communities through art, technology, and media. UCIMC has invested decades of time and energy working to bring educational opportunities designed to broaden student exposure to media-related careers for racialized and minoritized communities. Over the years, the stories and perspectives of these communities have been ignored or misunderstood by people with the best intentions of interpreting them and incorporating them into the textbooks and assignments of school children across the country. UCIMC offers outlets such as newspapers, podcasts, and zines to help rewrite history and create narratives that are interesting and meaningful for marginalized groups. Opportunities to explore media and connect with others in the field empowers students and ensures that their voices are heard, bringing much-needed diversity and representation to the educational landscape. In today’s education system, there is a problem with higher graduation rates for white students compared to Black and Latino students. However, organizations like UCIMC are playing a vital role in addressing this issue. UCIMC…
