How Cultural Isolation has Created a Bubble Within the Urban Environment During Covid-19
by
Jasmine Burns
This audio piece aims to point out the difference between the culturally vibrant community of Frog Hollow and Trinity’s campus, while also examining the lasting effects of covid-19 through sound. With the obvious disconnect between Trinity’s majority white campus and the surrounding neighborhood’s large Latinx community, the exploration of both urban environments through sound allowed for the topic of Latinxfuturism to be applied. The places examined include Mather Hall, El Sarape, Edwin Market, and the sounds of the natural environment on and off-campus. Throughout the process of recording, there were very clear differences between the public spaces on and off-campus, but the natural environments sounded very similar. Covid-19 and the harsh winter have led to far fewer outdoor or group activities, which led to cars or buses being the only auditory expression of the urban environment. The public spaces were the perfect example of a cultural disconnect and can be seen in the language and activities heard in these environments. Looking into the future, the goal of inclusivity can be achieved by introducing various Latinx cultures on campus, and the films discussed in the class show why this should be done.
The films Sleep Dealer and The Last Angel of History directly relate to this audio piece because the overarching purpose of both films was representation. The fact that there were never any Latinx characters in sci-fi movies indicated the intended absence of space for diversity in the future, but Sleep Dealer helped to hear and visualize what Latinxfuturism is. All of this relates to the study of Trinity College and the disconnect from the Latinx neighborhood surrounding it because the people on this campus are the future, meaning the students here graduate and begin to mold the future urban landscape. The representation of Latinx cultures, as well as community members, on campus would help to diversify the thoughts of the future. Solidifying the space for people of color to be included in the future.
References
Akomfrah, John et al. The Last Angel of History. Brooklyn, New York: [Distributed by] Icarus Films, 2016. Film.
Rivera, Alex, director. Sleep Dealer. 2009.