Growing up in Gen Z, media has always been a big part of our lives. From movies, to books, tv shows, music and more, none of our lives would be the same without them. We asked our CNU Chapter what pieces of media have shaped their lives and how. Here’s what our girls had to say!
Little WOmen
Brynne: “A piece of media that has shaped my life is Greta Gerwig’s Little Women movie from 2019. I have always loved the book and when her movie depiction came out, I fell even more in love with the story. I identify very strongly with my March Sister, Beth, and I love the way she was depicted in this adaptation! Little Women has been my go-to comfort movie since it came out and I think I saw it in theaters three or four times!”
Define “Normal” by: Julie a. Peters
Tiffany: “It would have to be ‘Define “Normal”‘ by Julie A. Peters. I found this book at a local book sale when I was in middle school and was really drawn in by how cool the book cover looked (the black 2000s cover version). Like any kid, I always thought that my life was the hardest and that no one would ever understand what I was going through. But this story about two young girls – a “punk” and “prep” – overcoming hardships and forming an unlikely friendship after meeting in a peer-counseling program made me realize that I should be more empathic towards others and to understand that people should be more compassionate in life. It was so relatable that I still have the book with me to this day.”
Aquamarine
Brooke: “A piece of sacred media that represents my childhood is the movie Aquamarine (2006). I had chronic nightmares as a child and needed a source of light and sound as I went to sleep to feel safe. I used a DVD player to play the movie Aquamarine, as it brought me happiness and comfort (and still does as a 20-year-old). I fell asleep to this movie replaying for about a year. As a result, my brain subconsciously memorized every line, song, and sound effect. I can recite the movie perfectly like a public speech and picture the exact moment in my head like a film roll.”
Barbie
Sierra: “It may seem silly, but the Barbie movies completely shaped me as a kid, like to the point where I still watch them to this day. I remember feeling so inspired by the vibrant visuals, creative settings, and memorable characters. My personal favorite is probably Barbie: Fairytopia, although I could easily compile a top-10 list with some other solid contenders.”
Apple Music and spotify
Graciela: “I think music media like Apple Music/Spotify has shaped me because music is a huge part of my life. Being able to listen to music is very stress relieving and I like to find songs I relate to. These apps allow me to explore all kinds of music, as well. I am able to expand my genre/artist knowledge giving me more opportunities to find cool songs.”
Percy Jackson and The Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Nora: “When I was younger, I was the type of kid to bring a book with me everywhere I went, and this series was the standout favorite of my childhood. It’s based around Greek mythology and my early self-identification as a “child of Athena” can still be seen in my over-achiever (and over-thinker) personality today. I reread them all during early quarantine and they triggered a renaissance of my reading habits. I feel like I grew up with the characters and these books and the subsequent series will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Avatar the last airbender
Avery: “The first thing that comes to mind is Avatar: The Last Airbender. I remember watching this show on Nickelodeon as a kid. It has become one of my go-to comfort shows over the years. I am obsessed with the style of animation and also the music. I find the music really inspiring and soothing. The music makes up half my homework playlist. The show also makes me laugh every time I watch it, so it’s something that I reach for when I’m feeling stressed or anxious.”
Music
Shaunny: “Music, in general, has shaped me as a person. Over the years, I’ve discovered my music taste. I’ve learned that 90s R&B and early 2000s R&B have a special place in my heart. Listening to music is also like therapy to me; it calms me down and makes me relax in stressful situations. Music has also empowered me through the representation of minority women in the industry. Seeing successful women who look like me makes me feel like I can achieve my goals.”
Youtube
Alauni: “I spend a lot of my media time on Youtube. It’s been a part of my childhood for a long time. I remember I would rush to finish my homework to watch Jacksepticeye & other fun videos from YouTubers that have now grown to be more recognizable in the media.”
TV
Chaeli: “Generally, I feel that tv shows have shaped who I am as a person. Growing up I was a really lonely kid. Tv shows helped me to gain some form of social awareness out in public. Even though what I was watching was fiction, it helped me to gain an understanding of how people can be based on the tiny kernels of truth in each scripted scenario. I believe art imitates life and tv shows are just one example of that. That may make me sound like I was not socialized well enough, but I feel like tv shows help me to pick out the nuances about the complexities of humanity. Tv shows are mirrors of life to me.”
Youtube
Emilie: “YouTube has been really influential in my life. I have used it for educational purposes and for entertainment. Also, it introduced me to vine and I quote the most well-known ones almost everyday.”
The Fault in our stars by: john green
Allison: “This book was character defining for me when I first read it in 2014. It was the catalyst of my reading obsession and I’ve accumulated many copies of it over the years. For me, it was just so real. I feel like it was the first piece of media that depicted what life really is, not some happily ever after fairy tale catered to kids. I was really struggling with my mental health when I first read it, and it made me feel seen in the sense that other people struggle too, and that’s okay, it’s normal.”