How do you think art, music, and film can empower youth?
So Guamology community, I’d like to pose a question in hopes of hearing what you all have to say.
So how do you, the fun and intellectual readers of Guamology, think art, music, and film can empower youth? And how do you think arts can impact the youth into building a stronger community around them?
Sanctuary Inc. and the Micronesian Youth Services Network are having an oratorical contest next week. The winner of the contest will deliver the winning speech at the 5th Annual MYSN Conference in Saipan at the end March. The them of the oratorical contest is “Strengthening Micronesian Communities One Youth at a Time”. I am joining the contest and using the perspective that the arts can impact, empower, and compel youth to do more in their communities.
The following is an excerpt of my working draft for the competition, constructive criticism and support is always welcomed! But I’d really love for you all to share your perspective and insight on how the arts can have a great effect on the youth.
Excerpt:
Victor Hugo, once wrote, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent”. The theme of this year’s conference is “Strengthening Micronesian Communities One Youth at a Time”. I strongly believe that one of the greatest ways to impact, empower, and compel the youth of our region to find unity in diversity is through music and the other arts. Through music and art, the silenced voices of our youth can be heard and understood – whether it is through music, poetry, storytelling, filmmaking, painting, sculpting, or dance –our youth can explore new and positive ways to express themselves and to help influence positive changes in our regions communities. Whether it is within villages, within an island, between islands, and between our different states and nations, the arts can greatly help give our youth new ways to effect change.
My name is Jayton Okada. I am 18 years old and I am from Guam. I graduated top of my class at Southern High School, Guam last June. Since then I’ve gone on to be a student at the University of Guam. My biggest achievement of the past two years has to be the group I’ve formed – The Guam Musicians Initiative. We are comprised of over 40 of Guam’s various youth rock and alternative bands. We are also one of Guam’s largest artist collectives with more than 150 different musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, dancers, and performing artists.
I formed this group because for a period of time on Guam there was a major lack of opportunities for the youth bands and musicians of our island to share their passion for music and to let their voices be heard. As a young teen I had the opportunity to attend these all-ages music events hosted by local rock radio stations, which have since then shut down or changed format. At these events is where I would become fascinated with the world of music and the arts.
At these events I watched teen musicians live on stage, performing with vigor and excitement, and playing original music that spoke about the troubles they’ve seen on our island. These events gave me so much hope and inspiration. After time these shows became near-extinct on Guam and like many other youth, I was saddened that these performers, the same age as me, whom I regarded as heroes had no place to perform. They had no place to share their talents and to spread their craft. This lack of opportunities for these bands drove me to take matters into my own hands, to affect change within my own small youth community, and to make a positive difference for everyone.
Our group is one of the few groups supporting and advocating for the spread of creative freedom and the spread of arts appreciation and awareness for youth rock musicians and other artists. Through the numerous events we’ve had over the past 1 ½ years, I’ve seen the power that music and art has on communities. I’ve experienced the power music and art has on the youth, and how art can empower all of us to do better for our families, our friends, our neighbors, our communities, and also our neighboring islands.
Kel, how about naming it Fanohge Chamoru? The only thing is the announcer might have problems with the pronunciation. 
Yes Miget and Linda, I do concur. She does win for PURE CUTENESS! Hmmm...you just gave me an idea - ...
too adorable! 
Hafa Adai Lillian,
I came across this trying to confirm the word "yanggen." After reading this I felt compelled to ...
Comment by Sarah on 26 February 2009:
A+ Jayton!
Comment by Don Muna on 1 March 2009:
“How do you think art, music, and film can empower youth? And how do you think arts can impact the youth into building a stronger community around them?”
I feel that art empowers the youth by providing them with the practice of creative thinking. A strong community is just the byproduct of a creative mind.
When da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa did he know that people would flock from all parts of the world just to see his work? Or did he know that every Catholic household on Guam would have the Last Supper hanging on the wall of their outside kitchen?
Or when Bill gates developed codes to help invent the PC do you think he knew that eventually the entire world of business would need to be computer savvy? Or do you think he knew that it would change the world’s way of communication forever? I doubt it.
The creative thinker creates because of their undeniable passion to manifest their greatest thoughts and ideas. Art is the manifestation of the creative mind. And great art attracts the likes of great minds, therefore building a strong community. In other words… Jayton you da man bro! Nice job!
Comment by Kel Muna on 2 March 2009:
Art in any form (yes, even cooking!) exercises overcoming obstacles through problem solving, creative thinking and most of all, growth – not just from the artist, but from its interpreters as well. Art spawns communication, self-awareness, communal awareness since the artists almost always pulls from his/her outside emotional influences and turns that emotional angst into art.
It brings people together through its process and its interpretations. Also, it helps to preserve cultures, beliefs and documents a time in a world that’s quickly reaching more and more into the global cookie jar.
And Sarah, I would say Jayton deserves an A+, but I believe he specifically deserves a C++! (Get it? Jayton works with binary code. C++ is the coder’s language. Okay, I won’t tell anymore jokes.)
Comment by Jayton Okada on 2 March 2009:
Haha, thanks everyone.
Turns out, I’m the only one who submitted a draft.
The other 6 or 7 people that picked up registration forms never turned in one.
So… we’ll see what happens.
It’s not really a competition when your competing against yourself!
And nice joke with the C++ Kel!
Comment by JB on 3 March 2009:
Jayton – great excerpt, you are a stud! When I first met you, I only knew you as “the dude behind the counter at ComPacific”. Like most everything…you can’t judge the book by the cover and it’s been a pleasure getting a “read” on you over the past few months!
You are extremely bright but more importantly you are very passionate and you take ACTION on that passion. Sometimes I forget you are still a “kid” (I’m twice as old as you, so I’m allowed to call you a kid! haha!) You have a maturity FAR beyond your years and you are a great example for others to follow, both young and old.
Keep up the great work!!
Keep strummin’,
JB
Comment by Jayton Okada on 8 March 2009:
Update!. I lost the contest by 3 points, but they liked my speech that one of the judges decided she’d pay for my plane ticket and MYSN will pay for my conference fees and accommodations! So I’ll be attending the 5th Annual Micronesian Youth Services Network conference in Saipan at the end of the month! Woohoo!
Thanks to Don and Kel for their time and letting me interview them, and thanks to Dr. Kirk Johnson for his short interview as well!
Many many thanks to all the musicians and artists who’ve inspired me over the course of the last 4 years who gave me the determination and willing to take the initiative to do what I do!
Comment by Kel Muna on 8 March 2009:
That’s GREAT NEWS, Jayton! Way to go! I’m just glad that I could be of some help. You’re inspiring others out there through leading by example! Congratulations, bro! Oh – and my interview will cost you a Saipan refrigerator magnet!
Comment by Michael Lujan Bevacqua on 8 March 2009:
Congratulations Jayton! Sen maolek i bidada-mu!
Comment by Jayton Okada on 8 March 2009:
Fridge magnets and some ice keke sounds good to me
There’s also going to be a street party/carnival after the conference.. I’m planning on trying to get Matala out there to perform..
They’re former drummer from their Core and early-Matala days has lived in Saipan for the past few years… so who knows!
Comment by Jayton Okada on 8 March 2009:
I have to give major props to the contest winner, Greg Ecle.
He’s a year older than me but also graduated from Southern High.
He sang a chant in Chamoru which gave me chills and I’m glad that he’s going to be the keynote speaker from Guam!
Comment by Sarah on 8 March 2009:
Congratulations, Jayton! That is fantastic!
Kel, I am impressed at the pun! Good one!
Comment by Joseph Certeza on 10 March 2009:
I like the choices of words you use in, “Through music and art, the silenced voices of our youth can be heard and understood”, says a lot man. Well much love to what you’re doing, keep it up, been waiting for someone to start something.