Clean air, food, Indigenous history: At Comic-Con, San Diego advocates and creators share their work on an international stage
Harnessing Comic-Con's Spotlight to Amplify Local Voices and Causes
San Diego's Comic-Con has long been a hub for pop culture enthusiasts, but this year, the convention is also serving as a platform for local creators and organizers to shine a light on pressing social issues. From air quality concerns in San Ysidro to the rich history and culture of the Kumeyaay people, these local advocates are harnessing the convention's popularity to educate and inspire attendees through the power of art and storytelling.Empowering Local Voices and Causes at Comic-Con
Preserving the Kumeyaay Legacy Through Visual Storytelling
The Kumeyaay people have a rich and complex history in San Diego County, and a panel at this year's Comic-Con is dedicated to exploring their story through the medium of a comic book. Ethan Banegas, a lecturer at San Diego State University, is part of the team behind this yearslong project, which aims to educate attendees about the Kumeyaay's past, including the challenges they have faced, such as colonization and the loss of their language. Banegas believes that the comic book format is an innovative way to share this history, likening it to a "Trojan horse" that can captivate readers while imparting important lessons.Addressing Air Quality Concerns in San Ysidro
Another local issue taking center stage at Comic-Con is the air quality concerns in San Ysidro, where thousands of vehicles cross the U.S.-Mexico border each day. Mabelle Reynoso, a playwright, collaborated with public artist Johnny Bear Contreras to adapt her local theater performance, "Somos Aire," into a comic book format. This decision was driven by Reynoso's desire to reach a wider audience and overcome the limitations of traditional theater, especially for communities of color. The comic book format, she believes, provides a more accessible and engaging way to share the story and raise awareness about the pressing environmental challenges faced by the San Ysidro community.Inspiring Youth to Combat Hunger Through Comics and Art
Feeding San Diego, a local nonprofit, is also leveraging the platform of Comic-Con to address the issue of food insecurity in the region. The organization has collaborated with the Comic-Con Museum to create a comic book called "Hunger Action Heroes Unite!," which shares the origin stories of superheroes inspired by the designs of San Diego County students. This project aims to educate the public about hunger and food waste, while also inspiring young people to take action and become part of the solution. Dana Williams, the marketing and communications director at Feeding San Diego, sees this as an opportunity to tap into the untapped potential of Comic-Con to make "purpose a part of the DNA of the event."Harnessing the Power of E-sports to Promote Emotional Intelligence
In addition to these local social issues, Comic-Con is also providing a platform for educators to explore the impact of e-sports on students' emotional intelligence. A panel this year brought together educators from Helix Charter High School, Feaster Charter School, and UC San Diego to share their experiences and insights on how e-sports can be leveraged to enhance students' social and emotional skills, using specific examples from San Diego schools.Competing for Attention in the Celebrity Spotlight
The panelists acknowledge that they face the challenge of competing for attention with the larger celebrity panels at Comic-Con, but they remain undaunted. Reynoso points out that the convention attracts people from all walks of life, and there is a growing interest in using this platform to advocate for important causes. She believes that even attendees who come primarily to catch the latest movie or get an autograph from a celebrity may stumble upon these panels and find themselves unexpectedly engaged with local issues they had never considered before.The organizers and creators behind these panels are determined to leverage the popularity and reach of Comic-Con to amplify the voices and concerns of their local communities. By presenting complex topics in engaging and accessible formats, such as comics and visual storytelling, they aim to educate and inspire attendees to take action and become agents of change in their own communities. As Comic-Con continues to evolve, these local advocates are proving that the convention can be a powerful tool for driving social impact and promoting civic engagement.
