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Theeba Soundararajan, Media &
Technology Justice Director
Third World MajorityPower comes in many forms. The young women of color that run the Third World Majority organization realized that there was power in creating a media training and production resource center that was concerned with global justice and social change. By taking community activism and organizing to the digital world, Third World Majority has resonated with a large audience interested in making change in education rights, domestic violence, education and other very important issues. Theeba Soundararajan, 29, Co-Founder and Media & Technology Justice Director takes some time with The DesiConnect Magazine to show just how important and necessary it is to arm young adults with information, tools, resources and support. Learn more about the great work, great ideas and great changes to come as a result of Third World Majority as we feature it in this week's Non-Profit Spotlight.
Non-Profit
Third World Majority
Founded
September 2001
Website
www.cultureisaweapon.org
Name, Title
Theeba Soundararajan
Media & Technology Justice Director
Age
29
Hometown
Berkeley, California
Current residence
Berkeley, California
Education
University of California - Irvine, BA in International Studies, 2001
Work Experience
Co Founder, Third World Majority 2001 - 2007;
Program Assistant, WITNESS 2003 - 2005;
Media Instructor, Bay Area Video Coalition 2001 - 2003;
O Núcleo de Estudo e Ação sobre o Menor -(NEAM) Rio de Janeiro Brasil 2000 - 2001.
Ethnicity
Tamil - South Indian!
About the non-profit
Third World Majority (TWM) is a new media training and production resource center run by a collective of young women of color and our allies dedicated to developing new media practices that affect global justice and social change through grassroots political organizing. Through our collaborations with other organizations, we support organizing for social change and global justice in real, representational and virtual worlds where communities of color are centered in the production, distribution and educational processes.
Our principal organizing focus is the community digital storytelling workshop. This three-day workshop is a unique training approach that integrates aspects of popular education, creative writing, oral history, facilitative filmmaking, and digital media manipulation to assist people in telling their stories as three-to-five minute digital videos based on the found materials in their lives (like photographs, personal drawings and letters, newspaper clippings, etc.).
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
Since we are a small non profit I wear multiple hats throughout the day. This can involve answering phones, meeting with potential partners for an upcoming training or workshop, researching, writing, and editing curriculum, maintaining and updating content for our website and working with our development team to carry out fundraising strategies.
We are in the process of developing two part anthology and published curriculum called "Media Justice NOW! " which looks at different ways organizers have incorporated media tools in their organizing campaigns.
Most notable milestones
Tell it LIke it is: Oakland California - In August 2001 we brought together young activists from around the country to Oakland, California and taught them how to make their own movies. Using these tools, these young people made their own movies about the work they do in their respective communities. Topics ranged from education rights, gentrification, border violence, domestic violence, and queer rights. It was one of the most profound workshops we have hosted; the young people brought so much to the workshop and we all grew and learned within those three days!
November 2005: The Media Justice Delegation to the World Summit on Information Society[WSIS] WSIS was a global convening that brought NGOS, private and public sectors, and "Civil Society" to talk about the future of technology and communication rights. We brought activists from around the country to this convening, held in Tunisia, and not only attended these unprecedented panels but also facilitated and spoke on multiple panels on the experience of organizers of color in the United States.
Media Justice Arts Initiative
in June 2006 we launched the Media Justice Arts Initiative ; a more strategic approach to our current workshop structure. The initiative is a series of three workshops hosted in different regions around the country focusing on different sectors: LGBT rights, Reproductive Rights, Environmental Justice, and Indigenous Rights.
What's the niche?
Our approach to Technology makes us unique. In our trainings there is no "one" teacher who has all the answers. Our workshops are places where everyone is learning. For us being able to impart our knowledge in media production to other activsts is in itself an act of revolution - in this age of growing media consolidation, our voices as people of color are being more and more shut out from mainstream outlets. It is our political belief that we take back our voices through media production! We are also one of the few women of color media resources in the nation - our staff and consultants are Filipina, South Indian, African American, Somali, Chicana, and Cuban.
What's the biggest challenge?
Much of our work involves debunking conception of technology & media production. Many times without realizing it, we internalize the values of patriarchy that oppress us as people of color: terms like "Master & Slave" or "Female, Male" to refer to computer parts or servers. For us we had to be extremely deliberate about how we approached media production. We switched up terms from "Master and Slave" to "Sister Drive", or we renamed all the computers comprising our laptop lab after famous women of color activists: Phoolan Devi, Assata Shakur, Nawal el Sadawi, Leilani Trask, to name a few.
What's in store for the future?
We will continue tor provide media resources and training support for activists interested in incorporating media in their organizing endeavors. Furthermore, we are currently publishing our curriculum in book format and will be distributing it soon!
Who would you like to be contacted by?
We would like to be contacted by anyone interested in media or technology production. If you are also interested in interning or volunteering with us we would love to hear from you! Also if you are interested in hosting a Third World Majority training in your area feel free to contact us!
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Best way to keep a competitive edge
Keep on Learning! We're always taking classes, attending conferences, and signing up for trainings. The field of media is always changing, what you know now maybe obsolete tomorrow.
“When I started out as a web developer I had a hard time finding women mentors who were doing the same type of technical work I wanted to do. I realized that if I wanted female technology mentors, I would have to work to build that space.” Guiding principle in life
Media Justice NOW! All of us believe that TWM is crucial in so many ways to so many people, and we have seen the difference having a supportive space where people can learn and share their stories.
Yardstick of success
How do we know the work we do is having an impact? One way we've seen this is that many of our workshop participants go on to either produce their own media pieces or become peer trainers in future workshops.
Goal yet to be achieved
To get my masters in computer science!
Best practical advice
Don't listen to what people tell you about what you can't do. If you want something bad enough nothing should get in your way of getting it!
Also, don't hold back from telling your own story - if you want to make a move, a website or other way to express yourself just do it! And for practical help contact us, we'll help you out.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
Remember to take time out for yourself.
Mentor
Phoolan Devi. She showed me how to love without fear. She also showed me that nothing should stand in the way of a getting a good education.
What motivated you to get started?
When I started out as a web developer I had a hard time finding women mentors who were doing the same type of technical work I wanted to do. I realized that if I wanted female technology mentors, I would have to work to build that space.
Like best about what you do?
I love working with people and meeting activists doing amazing work.
Like least about what you do?
Can't really think of anything.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to work with people around the world - not sure what though! I just knew I wanted to travel.
What was your first job?
I was working in San Francisco teaching people how to make websites. It was fun, not only did my students learn but I was always learning.
Biggest pastime outside of work
Attending Geeky conferences like Macworld, Linux User Groups, and the Game Developer's Conference!!
Person most interested in meeting
Phoolan Devi. Even though she has passed she has shaped a large part of my life.
Leader in business most interested in meeting
Steve Jobs. I would like to get inside the mind of the CEO of apple computers to see what his next plans are for Apple for the next millennium!
Three interesting facts about yourself
1. I am 5"1'
2. I am 29 years old
3. I speak Spanish, Portuguese & Tamil
Three characteristics that describe you
1. A non-traditional thinker
2. Workaholic
3. Outgoing
Three greatest passions
1. Revolution
2. Love
3. Art
Favorite book
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
Favorite cause
Revolution.
Is there anything else you!d like to add?
Media Justice NOW!
"From da Celly to da Telly we know we're livin' in the Belly of da Beast!"
[Media Justice chant, taken from one of our workshops]
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