Car Scene Injustice

 Hector Arroyo 

Professor Alison Aziz

ART 3170-02

5 November 2020

Civic Engagement Project 

What is Civic Engagement?

1.    The two definitions I found were, “Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.” (The Definition of Civic Engagement) and “Civic engagement involves “working to make a difference in the civic life of one’s community and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference.” (Civic Engagement).

2.    My definition of civic engagement would be coming together to solve any type of issue that is affecting you or your community.

3.    A major issue in my community or state would be how the car community is seen. The car community for the most part in this state is seen as criminals.

Problem Definition

1.    Step 1 Research

a.     My two resources are going to be a negative and positive view of the car scene. One to show how the car scene is seen and the other to actually tell you what is happening and how it is misinterpreted. First resource is an article called “Are cars the new tobacco?” by Margaret J. Douglas and the second resources is another article called “What do to if police show up at your car meet, you have mods and you don’t want a ticket” by Paulo Acoba.

b.     First, I will talk about how the community sees the car scene and how they see the people involved in it as criminals. The first article by Margaret J. Douglas talks about how cars are seen like a new drug because in the way they are modified and how they are just affecting the environment. This article is not specific to car meet but it shows how they describe cars as a drug and when in large groups at car meets they get lots of negative comments as well as cops seeing them as criminals for gathering with other with the same interest. (Douglas). The second are is more of what actually happens but still shows how we are treated. This article by Paulo Acoba talks how you can avoid a ticket when a police officer pulls up to a car meet. This already is wrong as it is because they are basically just parked and talking to other people with similar interested, but police officers see that as a crime and start giving tickets to the modified cars. (Paulo).

2.    Step 2 Personal

a.      This issue affects me directly because I also very involved in the car scene. There have been lots of times where I have gotten pulled over for not doing anything and treated like I’ve committed a crime.

b.     I chose this issue because it is something that I feel that needs to be fixed because not people that are involved in the car scene are criminals or are breaking laws. 

Gathering Evidence

1.    Skipped due to COVID 19

Dissemination of Research to a public Audience

 

Reflection

1.    My understanding of civic engagement changed a bit because I learned if you come together you can change an issue that is affecting many of you guys.

2.    I wasn’t able to ask people around due to COVID but from my experiences a lot of people in the car community agree with the point of view that the car scene is seen as a crime.

3.    I did not go out due to COVID, but I feel like I wouldn’t really have an issue asking people if they were affected by this issue.

4.    Some of the feedback I could have received would be like ways they could help out to make a change.

5.    If I would to re do this assignment I would just add more information to back up my topic. 

6.    I feel like this topic is successful because it is something you experience in everyday life whether you are the one affect or see someone being affected by it.

7.    No questions or comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

-, Paulo Acoba, et al. “What to Do If Police Show up at Your Car Meet, You Have Mods,                        & Don't Want a Ticket.” Alt Car News, 21 Jan.                                                             2019. 
“Civic Engagement.” Civic Engagement |                                        

 “The Definition of Civic Engagement.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 July                  2003, 

Douglas, Margaret J., et al. “Are Cars the New Tobacco?” OUP Academic, Oxford University                Press, 1 June 2011,