Reflective Journal

Reflective Journal

Mansouri, F. and Kirpitchenko, L., 2015. Practices of Active Citizenship among Migrant Youth: Beyond Conventionalities. Social Identities, pp.1-17.

The authors of this article discuss the empirical manifestations regarding active citizenship as viewed by migrant youth. They focus on active citizenship practices through creative civic engagements and involvement in social networks. In this way, the paper can examine the multifaceted and complex nature of social networking among young migrants and the extent that their approach to engagement depends on local environment specificities, cultural norms and the nature of social issues in an individual’s cultural heritage. Mansouri and Kipitchenko (2015) highlight fundamental empirical insights derived from qualitative and quantitative research conducted among young migrant from Pacific islands, Africa, and Arab-speaking states. The researchers use these insights to explore the changing active citizenship perceptions among young migrants and the engendering of social participation and civic engagement through non-traditional networks.

Loader, B.D., Vromen, A. and Xenos, M.A., 2015. Performing for the Young Networked Citizen? Celebrity Politics, Social Networking and the Political Engagement of Young People. Media, Culture & Society, p.0163443715608261.

The utilization of social media Platforms like Twitter and Facebook by political figures and entertainers to communicate with the young population is a classic instance of emerging celebrity politics (Couldry, 2012). In fact, some commentators regard this development as a trivialization of politics, but the authors of this article adopt a different approach.  They consider the social media as democratizing, all-inclusive, and influential especially in the enactment of government policies. Until recently, celebrity politics focus on media performances by representatives and political celebrities with little or no empirical evidence. As a result, this article focuses on youths from late-modern democracies (like the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia) and their thoughts on how social media use by politicians influence their outlook.

Political Visit

The political visit to the parliament house was informative. Being my first visit, I gained knowledge on the importance of the house in making laws and enactment of policies. I conducted my observations while standing to maximize the benefit of my visit to the parliament. The building utilized classic architectural design borrowed mostly from the Great Britain. The decorations of the interiors were kept at a minimum though wood carvings and symbolic sculptures were visible (Sharky, 2016). The workers dressed formally in special attire. Besides, the tour guide informed us of the rules to be observed during the proceedings, which include silence unless given a chance to speak. Reserved seats at the podium demonstrate hierarchies in the house (Economou & Ghazarian, 2011). The setting was exhilarating. It made me feel excited.

Bibliography

Couldry, N., 2012. Media, Society, World: Social Theory and Digital Media Practice. Pennsylvania: Polity.

Economou, N., & Ghazarian, Z. (2011). Australian Politics for Dummies. Hoboken, John Wiley & Sons. http://www.123library.org/book_details/?id=28927.

Loader, B.D., Vromen, A. and Xenos, M.A., 2015. Performing for the Young Networked Citizen? Celebrity Politics, Social Networking and the Political Engagement of Young People. Media, Culture & Society, p.0163443715608261.

Mansouri, F. and Kirpitchenko, L., 2015. Practices of Active Citizenship among Migrant Youth: Beyond Conventionalities. Social Identities, pp.1-17.

Sharky, B., 2016. Thinking about Landscape Architecture: Principles of a Design Profession for the 21st Century. London:  Routledge.