P3: Explainer
For this project, we must utilize our motion graphic to communication an issue, and provide a call to action to address that issue. I have narrowed my brainstorming into three concepts.
Idea 1: Why the Electoral College is outdated
General Idea:
The Electoral College is an old system that determines our elections despite not applying well to the current state of America, and is subtracting from true Democracy.
Key Points:
- It’s Outdated — This ancient system was created in 1788 by the Founding Fathers as a way to ensure the most qualified people were making the decision of who would be in office. Keep in mind that this was a time when there were many uneducated, ill-informed citizens. The Electoral College was a way to safeguard against these people.
- It’s Biased — The system was also thought to be bias-free among the voters. Unfortunately, electoral voters are already expected to vote for their party candidates, completely disregarding their own opinions.
- Doesn’t Represent the People — keeping the Electoral College would allow just 538 people to decide the president rather than roughly 300 million US citizens. By allowing this, the people’s voices don’t have any effect on the outcome of elections. So, what’s the point of even voting? Supporters of the Electoral College make the argument that abolishing the system will give larger states more power. Eric Levitz of Intelligencer, a supporter of abolishing the Electoral College, provides us with the quote from the opposing side: “counting votes equally would give voters in populous states too much power.” This quote refers to California, where twelve percent of the population lives. The quote is really just a different way of saying that one doesn’t agree with democracy because voting is a right that we have by living in a democratic country! Not only that, why should people who live in bigger cities/states be undeserving of democratic equality? Populous states should have the same equality as other smaller states when it comes to voting.
Sources
https://usafacts.org/visualizations/electoral-college-states-representation/
Idea 2: The Effects Discrimination has on LGBT Health
General Idea:
Shedding lights on the psychological effects Homophobia creates and the higher statistics of mental health issues amongst members of the LGBT community
Key Points:
- More Likely to experience mental health issues — LGBTQ individuals are three times more likely to experience major depression or generalized anxiety due to “minority stress”.
- Concept of Minority Stress — Minority stress comes from a variety of individual and combined factors including social stigma, discrimination, prejudice, denial of civil and human rights, abuse, harassment, victimization, social and family exclusion/rejection.
- Statistics on Discrimination — But to date, neither the federal government nor most states have explicit statutory nondiscrimination laws protecting people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT people still face widespread discrimination: Between 11 percent and 28 percent of LGB workers report losing a promotion simply because of their sexual orientation, and 27 percent of transgender workers report being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion in the past year. Discrimination also routinely affects LGBT people beyond the workplace, sometimes costing them their homes, access to education, and even the ability to engage in public life.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2072932/
Idea 2: The Importance of Sleep
General Idea:
Shedding lights on the importance of sleep, and exploring the negative consequences of a lack of sleep, and how to improve your quality of sleep.
Key Points:
Positive Effects of Quality Sleep
- Improves Metabolism / Helps maintain healthy weight
- Improves cognitive function
- Lowers stress levels
- Increases energy
- Improves Immune System
Negative Effects of Poor Sleep
- Increases risk of heart disease
- Increases risk of depression
- Shortens lifespan
- Increases inflammation
- Decreases cognitive Function
How to Improve Sleep
- Get in sync with your circadian rhythm
- Control your exposure to light
- Stay Active during the day
- Limit caffeine and nicotine
- Time your meals strategically
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-why-good-sleep-is-important
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/getting-better-sleep.htm
Narrowing down to one: LGBT Mental Health
After some careful consideration, I decided my topic would revolve around the topic of LGBT Mental Health, specifically because I think it could provide many unique options for visuals, and because I feel it is an important issue to address stigma around.
Big Idea: How does discrimination affect the mental health of LGBT people, and what you can do to help.
topic:
My topic will address the heightened risk LGBT+ individuals are at for mental health issues, providing statistics to prove it, and then a call to action on ways to address the stigma, and alleviate discrimination.
position:
My position on this topic is that if these issues are not addressed, the direct consequence is leaving more LGBT individuals at risk. My position will follow that of the modern world, that discrimination is not welcomed and should be addressed and done away with.
audience:
My target audience is cisgender/heteronormative individuals who may not have much knowledge regarding LGBT issues. I will approach this topic with the assumption that they may disregard the message because it doesn’t apply to them, so I will utilize statistics that can make them empathize and see the bigger picture regardless of their ability to directly relate. I will provide statistics to shine light on the fact that someone they know and care about personally is probably LGBT, to further draw an emotional attachment.
transformation:
The transformation I am looking to achieve is reducing the stigma that LGBT people have, while shining light on the prominent mental health crisis within the community. For my target audience, I want to give them a basic idea of the issues LGBT people face to encourage sympathy. I want them to acknowledge how their previous behavior may have been harmful, or work harder to not be a bystander and to speak out when they witness discrimination, to protect and improve the lives of LGBT people they know and love.
Rough Narrative Script
Someone you know and love is LGBT.
Are you a member of the LGBT community? If not, someone close to you probably is! LGBT people make up 4.5% of America’s population, that’s almost 15 Million citizens! In fact, it’s twice as likely for someone to be LGBT than to be born with red hair, and think of how many red-haired people you’ve met already!
LGBT youth are at risk of mental health issues.
Out of that 4.5%, over 39% of LGBT people struggle with mental illness, LGBTQ+ youth are more than twice as likely to feel suicidal and over four times as likely to attempt suicide compared to heterosexual youth, now let’s take a look at why that is.
Anecdotal story on the effects of growing up LGBT.
Here is Emma, she grew up confident in the fact that she liked boys. She saw herself reflected in the media she consumed, and when she started dating a boy from her class, she was supported by her parents. She felt normal and safe in her identity, and never developed any mental health issues as a result of discrimination, because she liked boys.
Here is Sean, he grew up worried that he was different from his friends. His only perception of LGBT characters were often portrayed as villains, or for comic relief. When he started dating a boy from his class, his parents kicked him out. He felt wrong and unsafe in his identity, and developed depression and anxiety as a result of discrimination, because he liked boys.
Discrimination is the reason LGBT people are at Risk.
Researchers link these health disparities to a variety of issues, including societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of human rights. So what can we do to combat these issues and create a safer America for our growing population of LGBT citizens?
What you can do to help.
The good news is, you’re already part way there! Just acknowledging the stigma LGBT people face is a step in the right direction. Here are four easy ways you can help address this
- Speak out against discrimination when you see it
- Donate to LGBT charities in your area
- Advocate for LGBT friendly laws
- Most importantly, just do your best to be open to listening , and support your LGBT friends! Everyone has to work together to make today’s society more welcoming to LGBT kids, and today it starts with you!
Style Frames
Rough Storyboard
