Anyone who has lived in the Olympia area for the last decade or so has likely noticed the influx in modern aesthetics flooding the once “hippie city.” While there are still oldies but goodies, such as the farmers market, the Olympia Film Society and Old School pizzeria hosting people in vintage mom jeans with unwashed hair and Birkenstocks, with walls covered in early 80’s rock and roll posters with a rebellious teenager’s bedroom vibes. Downtown Olympia has seen a rush of new young adults ready to convert the city to modern politics, infrastructure and more chain restaurants popping up, changing the famous laid back feel of the city. Having two colleges right outside the city, the Evergreen State College and Saint Martin’s University (SMU) means that more young adults are surrounding their studies with the politics that fill the capital city. Young adults are becoming increasingly involved with protests and making their voices heard nationwide, but it seems that the capital creates a sense of fear, leading to less involvement in political opposition. With old homes being converted into businesses and expensive modern apartments being built on street corners once home to old buildings and city graffiti, Media Island International (MII) keeps that Old-School Olympia alive and well.
Media Island challenges this lack of political participation by going beyond mainstream media and creating an outlet for alternative voices to be heard. Their website explains that MII was founded in 1984, “by a group of dedicated activists with a desire to spread under-published information on critical issues ignored by the mainstream media.” It continues with “Understanding that people's access to information is limited by corporate ownership and control of most communication outlets, MII is dedicated to provide access to alternative media and first-hand sources of information regionally, nationally, and internationally. MII is committed to collecting, processing, and distributing crucial information addressing the social justice, economic democracy, ecological sustainability and peace issues that we all collectively face.” A key trend discussed in the article Key Trends in Social and Digital News Media is the “use of mobile devices for news continues to grow” with close to half of U.S. adults getting their news through a mobile device including smartphones, laptops and even desktop computers. MII is an example of these trends and changes because while you can tune-in locally in Olympia, most listeners, arguably, tune in online. MII plays a huge role in journalism today as a non-profit media organization because they find programs produced by people independently covering typical news, and people covering topics ignored by mainstream media and radio.
Not only is their home plastered with work of local artists such as the murals painted both outside on the fences, garage and common area, but throughout the inside of the home as well. “Art is important in the stories it can tell” station manager Shawna Hawk explained. She has become intentional in who can paint in the space, no longer allowing anyone to come in and paint a mural that matters to them on the walls. The fences are painted with a mural featuring a mother panther and three cubs, painted by local artist Ira Coyne. Hawks’ idea behind the panthers was to create a guardian of the space. The vision then took the image of herself and three children. “The panthers act as a guardian, and are significant especially because MII has started talking about racial justice.” Hawk explained. Before you enter the door into Media Island, the panthers symbolize protection, comfort, and a place of safety to become educated. MII has been looking for more diversity and intention in the art works in the space, the panthers being a step in that direction.
You can feel MII’s push for social justice action through the call to action posters covering their windows. Walking down the sidewalk and peering up the stairs to Media Island’s physical space the traditional glass windows of a 1960’s craftsman, are plastered with posters in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Standing Rock protests over the controversial pipeline project. Even the front door welcomes you with an array of bulletins.
“Change in Olympia and Media Island is needed” Hawk explained, often finding herself asking “you’re doing more than making signs, right?’ There is a difference between excitement about a movement, and realizing that it is a serious matter and people’s lives are being affected by it every day. Olympia has a very dark history that is covered up and needs to come out.” While growing up in Olympia, I only saw the side of the culture that was alternative, rebellious and hippie. I looked up to the people who wore clothes bought from local thrift stores, went days without washing their hair, and had such a carefree spirit about living their life. The local shops always have posters in support of social justice movements, and almost every window has the “safe space” sticker for the LGBTQA community. It wasn’t until meeting Shawna that I learned about the thriving Asian community that once resided where Capital Lake now sits. Even though we support social change and may support social justice movements, Olympians need to become immersed in the action and fight for change rather than simply hanging a poster.
When visiting Media Island with our digital journalism class, I felt immediately accepted in the organization's main space with the warm dim lighting and array of comfortable seating options. Greeted by a book lovers dream, a wall of books from the floor to the ceiling, there are two vintage arm chairs on each side of a beautiful red brick fireplace to bring together the library-esc vibes of the front room. Media Island also boasts a massive book collection, and digital archives section full of hundreds of VCR tapes covering a wide array of political and social justice issues, all available to the public to view. Senior business major Patrick Burns shared his experience working with Media Island, “the site was warm and I could tell that the people who work there work hard.” Burns worked with programming manager Jimmy Mateson in the library archives. While I only worked closely with Hawk and Mateson, their warm smiles and eager attitude showed just how dedicated they are to Media Island. Along with volunteers’ work, MII makes a tremendous effort to create an outlet for voices to shine where conventional media would not cover them, shows tremendously through their work. “I can take my experience as an example of doing something that you set your mind to, even if it doesn’t fit into mainstream ideology” Burns shared.
I worked with my team including myself, Jessilyn Dagum, and Alexis Schupbach to program for their KOWA radio station, available to stream online at KOWAlp.org or on the radio at 106.5 FM. Their organization is volunteer based, meaning that like minded individuals come together to create this social justice empowered radio station. A quick rundown of shows featured on KOWA are “Feminist Hour, Native American Calling, Progressive Masculinity” and many others. KOWA produces a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week radio program. There is never a moment of dead air, all thanks to radio programming volunteers. Considering the radio programming is pieced together from outside content, the interests of the volunteer can shine through. While the listener will not meet the programmer, there is a chance for new education during every show. Perhaps you’ll hear of a new social justice movement you were unaware of, or hear a new take on an issue that is close to your heart. With such a wide array of topics, everyone is bound to find something that they’re interested in listening to. Shows come from across the country, and even from decades in the past. The idea is to create a collective voice.
I felt empowered leaving the station, knowing that I positively impacted them by programming shows, and by being on site and seeing how it all happens, I feel even more excited to continue my work with them and possibly pursue an internship with them in the future. I greatly enjoyed that my comfort within the organizations home allowed me to be involved in creating social justice change through programming the radio show without the pressure of being on the front lines of a protest. Media Island International is a great organization coming together for an amazing cause, and the idea of a local radio station allowing voices to be broadcast to the world is something more people should be excited and want to be involved in.
To listen to this article and get a quick summary of Media Island, you can listen here.
To hear where Saint Martin's students get their news from and whether or not they consider it be credible, you can listen here.
To learn about the most important social justice issues to Saint Martin's students, you can listen here.
 |
| Photo by Irina Gendelman. Street view of Media Island International. |
Media Island challenges this lack of political participation by going beyond mainstream media and creating an outlet for alternative voices to be heard. Their website explains that MII was founded in 1984, “by a group of dedicated activists with a desire to spread under-published information on critical issues ignored by the mainstream media.” It continues with “Understanding that people's access to information is limited by corporate ownership and control of most communication outlets, MII is dedicated to provide access to alternative media and first-hand sources of information regionally, nationally, and internationally. MII is committed to collecting, processing, and distributing crucial information addressing the social justice, economic democracy, ecological sustainability and peace issues that we all collectively face.” A key trend discussed in the article Key Trends in Social and Digital News Media is the “use of mobile devices for news continues to grow” with close to half of U.S. adults getting their news through a mobile device including smartphones, laptops and even desktop computers. MII is an example of these trends and changes because while you can tune-in locally in Olympia, most listeners, arguably, tune in online. MII plays a huge role in journalism today as a non-profit media organization because they find programs produced by people independently covering typical news, and people covering topics ignored by mainstream media and radio.
Not only is their home plastered with work of local artists such as the murals painted both outside on the fences, garage and common area, but throughout the inside of the home as well. “Art is important in the stories it can tell” station manager Shawna Hawk explained. She has become intentional in who can paint in the space, no longer allowing anyone to come in and paint a mural that matters to them on the walls. The fences are painted with a mural featuring a mother panther and three cubs, painted by local artist Ira Coyne. Hawks’ idea behind the panthers was to create a guardian of the space. The vision then took the image of herself and three children. “The panthers act as a guardian, and are significant especially because MII has started talking about racial justice.” Hawk explained. Before you enter the door into Media Island, the panthers symbolize protection, comfort, and a place of safety to become educated. MII has been looking for more diversity and intention in the art works in the space, the panthers being a step in that direction.
 |
| Photo by Irina Gendelman. Panther mural in progress. |
You can feel MII’s push for social justice action through the call to action posters covering their windows. Walking down the sidewalk and peering up the stairs to Media Island’s physical space the traditional glass windows of a 1960’s craftsman, are plastered with posters in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Standing Rock protests over the controversial pipeline project. Even the front door welcomes you with an array of bulletins.
“Change in Olympia and Media Island is needed” Hawk explained, often finding herself asking “you’re doing more than making signs, right?’ There is a difference between excitement about a movement, and realizing that it is a serious matter and people’s lives are being affected by it every day. Olympia has a very dark history that is covered up and needs to come out.” While growing up in Olympia, I only saw the side of the culture that was alternative, rebellious and hippie. I looked up to the people who wore clothes bought from local thrift stores, went days without washing their hair, and had such a carefree spirit about living their life. The local shops always have posters in support of social justice movements, and almost every window has the “safe space” sticker for the LGBTQA community. It wasn’t until meeting Shawna that I learned about the thriving Asian community that once resided where Capital Lake now sits. Even though we support social change and may support social justice movements, Olympians need to become immersed in the action and fight for change rather than simply hanging a poster.
When visiting Media Island with our digital journalism class, I felt immediately accepted in the organization's main space with the warm dim lighting and array of comfortable seating options. Greeted by a book lovers dream, a wall of books from the floor to the ceiling, there are two vintage arm chairs on each side of a beautiful red brick fireplace to bring together the library-esc vibes of the front room. Media Island also boasts a massive book collection, and digital archives section full of hundreds of VCR tapes covering a wide array of political and social justice issues, all available to the public to view. Senior business major Patrick Burns shared his experience working with Media Island, “the site was warm and I could tell that the people who work there work hard.” Burns worked with programming manager Jimmy Mateson in the library archives. While I only worked closely with Hawk and Mateson, their warm smiles and eager attitude showed just how dedicated they are to Media Island. Along with volunteers’ work, MII makes a tremendous effort to create an outlet for voices to shine where conventional media would not cover them, shows tremendously through their work. “I can take my experience as an example of doing something that you set your mind to, even if it doesn’t fit into mainstream ideology” Burns shared.
I worked with my team including myself, Jessilyn Dagum, and Alexis Schupbach to program for their KOWA radio station, available to stream online at KOWAlp.org or on the radio at 106.5 FM. Their organization is volunteer based, meaning that like minded individuals come together to create this social justice empowered radio station. A quick rundown of shows featured on KOWA are “Feminist Hour, Native American Calling, Progressive Masculinity” and many others. KOWA produces a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week radio program. There is never a moment of dead air, all thanks to radio programming volunteers. Considering the radio programming is pieced together from outside content, the interests of the volunteer can shine through. While the listener will not meet the programmer, there is a chance for new education during every show. Perhaps you’ll hear of a new social justice movement you were unaware of, or hear a new take on an issue that is close to your heart. With such a wide array of topics, everyone is bound to find something that they’re interested in listening to. Shows come from across the country, and even from decades in the past. The idea is to create a collective voice.
I felt empowered leaving the station, knowing that I positively impacted them by programming shows, and by being on site and seeing how it all happens, I feel even more excited to continue my work with them and possibly pursue an internship with them in the future. I greatly enjoyed that my comfort within the organizations home allowed me to be involved in creating social justice change through programming the radio show without the pressure of being on the front lines of a protest. Media Island International is a great organization coming together for an amazing cause, and the idea of a local radio station allowing voices to be broadcast to the world is something more people should be excited and want to be involved in.
To listen to this article and get a quick summary of Media Island, you can listen here.
To hear where Saint Martin's students get their news from and whether or not they consider it be credible, you can listen here.
To learn about the most important social justice issues to Saint Martin's students, you can listen here.
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