Toolkit for "Ask Angy"

Introduction

The subject of this TT interview, Angy Rivera, started the first advice blog for undocumented youth and is a core member of the New York State Youth Leadership Council, the first organization in New York led by undocumented youth. Rivera has a YouTube channel where viewers can access her advice, poetry, humor and activism. 

Essential Questions

1. How can social media be used for activism to promote dialogue and understanding around difficult issues?
2. What problems do undocumented youth face in everyday life?

Procedure

1. Visit the “Ask Angy” YouTube Channel. 
2. Review the videos listed below in advance of showing them to students. It’s important to remember that you may have undocumented students in your classroom who have not revealed their immigration status to you. As you review the videos, mentally prepare to respond to the strong emotions that these videos may evoke in students.
3. Begin by sharing Rivera’s story with students: Undocumented and Unafraid in New York. 

Use the videos and prompts below to engage your students in discussion and writing about immigration and the experiences of undocumented youth.

Undocumented - A Day In My New York Life

Prompt: What might a day in the life of an undocumented person be like in your community?

Uncertain Undocumented Future

Prompt: Where do you see yourself in five years? Two years? One year? Are you scared of the future?

More Than 9 Digits

Prompt: What is something that you are “more than”? What part of your identity do people have trouble seeing past?

Coming Out Undocumented for the First Time 2010

Prompt: Put yourself in Angy’s shoes that day. How does it feel? Would you have been able to do what she did?

Hater’s Gon’ Hate - Undocumented Unafraid

Prompt: What is the best piece of advice you can take from Angy’s video?

Health vs. Immigration Status

Prompt: Do you think health services should be provided to undocumented immigrants?

My Siblings Are Citizens

Prompt: How does immigration policy affect mixed-status families?

Friendship-ing While Undocumented  

Prompt: What do you hear Angy saying she needs from her friends?

Dating While Undocumented

Prompt: Would you date—or have you ever dated—someone with a different immigration status from yours?