As Youth Are Awesome’s Section Editor for Current Events and November’s Blogger of the Month (BOTM), it is apparent that Eddy Gu continues to make an impression through the way he articulates and affirms his opinions. From online controversies like Facebook’s new messaging app to interviewing youth for their perspective on the Honk Kong protests, Eddy innovates the way that youth perceive and read about news. I got the chance to interview our Blogger of the Month. Read the interview below, as we discuss Eddy’s inspirations, his procrastinating habits, and his aspirations.
Q. What/who inspires you to write?
Ever since I was small, I could remember watching the news with my dad. Even though it was often censored by the Chinese government, it was very entertaining and informative to watch, and it counted as father-son bonding time. This was how I first developed my interest in current events.
Then back in Grade 10, I had the pleasure of having an amazing Social Studies teacher in the name of Mr. Hettinga. He was funny and laid back, while often approached class with thoughtfulness and wisdom. Before every class, he would read us the headlines of the Globe and Mail and hold a discussion with us about the events, and their repercussions on the rest of the world. He helped me form a deep sense of connection with the world, and inspired me to join YAA to write about current events in order to help the obscure but important news reach today’s youth.
Q. Why do you like to cover current events?
Every time I write a news article, it’s a new experience. With numerous tabs of news sites open and a stack of newspaper on my desk, the amount of research required to write an extensive and factual article is an undertaking, but also very rewarding. After finishing a post, not only do I feel extremely informed about the topic I’m covering, I can know for a fact that the youth who reads the post will be as well. I feel that it is my social responsibility as today’s youth to be well-aware of the issues surrounding our global community, and to take steps to makes sure that our voices are heard.
Q. What do you think about the present youth perspective on current events?
We are always eager to share a status or a short video detailing a “shocking” or “horrifying” piece of news, and are quickly to rally behind a cause because it is supporting a noble cause. But we have grown increasingly lazy in our tendency to do actual personal research and confirm the validity of the stories. After all, when you have the world’s information at your fingertips, what’s the rush?
One critical example of this was the KONY 2012 campaign, where a video entailing the human rights violations committed by the Ugandan guerrilla group leader Joseph Kony gained massive widespread popularity in North America days after its release. Huge donations and rallies and senate proposals were created. It was later found out that Kony’s troops pulled out of Uganda years before, and that the organization was using the profits largely for themselves.
I believe that we, the millenniums, have a lot of eagerness and energy to change the world, but it is often misdirected. World events are very intricate and extensive, and cannot be summed up in statuses or word of mouth. You want to make a difference or contribute to a cause? Always always do your research first.
Q. What is your favourite post that you have written? Why?
Although I do not have a favourite, the most recent article I wrote detailing China’s forced organ harvesting really impacted me, and hit close to home.
When I was around 12 I took a vacation to China, and then a detour to Hong Kong. As soon as I got off the tour bus I was bombarded with posters and signs and people handing out flyers with horrifying pictures and atrocities of the alleged organ harvesting operations. It was considered illegal to bring any pamphlet of any kind back to the mainland, due to the differing media censorship between the mainland and Hong Kong. I didn’t think much about it then, but now it’s quite disturbing to think and write about it. I find it extremely unsettling that when mentioned to my Chinese friends, many are not even aware of such affairs.
Articles like these are why I am so passionate about current events. Issues like this, no matter how controversial or undetermined they are, has to be made aware by the public. The only thing deadlier than extremism is ignorance.
Q. What do you like to do in your free time?
I never truly have free time because I always have something to do. Any free time would count as procrastination. While procrastinating I like to take naps, watch Netflix, play video games, and volunteer. I also work at Kumon Learning Centre every week for two days.
Q. What do you hope to inspire as a blogger and an editor with YAA?
When I applied for the Editor of Current Events, I had an adamant goal in mind. I wanted to help our bloggers develop an interest in current events as I knew that is was the least popular topic on our website.
I do implore every single blogger to at least write one current events post. The length or the significance of the news is unimportant. It can be international or just right beside your neighbourhood. What is crucial is that you pick a topic or issue that affects and/or matters to you as a youth. I am always available for help or guidance when it comes to sources of news or advice on writing current events blogs, and I do mean always.
I believe that the perpetuated stigma of the tediousness and dullness of news articles is very harmful to our generation. News writing should not be seen as a duty of a blogger as much as a duty to oneself. It is an act of personal and intellectual growth. Today’s youth are very open minded and passionate for change, as we are tomorrow’s leaders. But we cannot be taken seriously until we can form educated and well-informed perspectives on the issues that affect us.