According to the 2022 North Carolina Census, over 1.4 million people aged 15 to 24 lived in the state. Accounting for more than 13% of the population, the support and engagement of young people are more important than ever in securing a safe and just future for all North Carolinians.

With that in mind, the ACLU of North Carolina is excited to present The Future Echoes: A Zine Anthology, which is aligned with our work to ensure the voices of all North Carolinians are heard and valued.

At its core, The Future Echoes aims to increase young people’s interest and encourage their agency in advocating for their rights through zine-making, a non-traditional artistic medium. Additionally, this project is designed to showcase and preserve young people’s ideas and experiences as scholarship and cement their pages as markers of this era’s zeitgeist.

This anthropological collection serves to embed their stories in history, using both virtual and physical archiving measures to ensure they are recognized and remembered for years to come.

While social media has expanded the reach of younger voices, we hope that, through this art advocacy project, the voices of today’s youth will be unignorable.

When it comes to political discourse, it’s no secret that young people's opinions and involvement are often overlooked and discredited.

Wait, what are zines? A Brief History

A zine (short for “fanzine” or “magazine”) is a small-circulation and typically self-published work used as a creative way for people to connect.

Emerging from the sci-fi and punk subcultures of the 30s and 40s—and before that, the “little magazines” of the Harlem Renaissance in the 20s (and before that, Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517!)—zines have historically served as media for marginalized voices and alternative viewpoints.

Typically, zines are made by hand using analog methods—good ole printer paper and a writing utensil—although modern zine creation may include digital design tools like Adobe Photoshop. They often contain information and viewpoints not usually shared in traditional mass media. Examples include personal experiences suffering from AIDS during the 80s epidemic and educational materials surrounding menstruation management and reproductive health.

To learn more about zines and their history, download our Creative Advocacy toolkit!

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina brings together litigation, legislative advocacy, communications, and organizing strategies to empower communities and achieve our objectives in major issue areas, including criminal law reform, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ equality, reproductive freedom, and the rights of immigrants. With nearly 30,000 members and supporters across the state, the ACLU-NC has a staff of more than 25 people with an office in Raleigh. To learn more, visit www.acluofnc.org.

About the ACLU of
North Carolina

Our Values

  • We stand against racist and oppressive systems.

  • We purposely center dignity, respect, and compassion for all people – utilizing both holistic and integrated advocacy.

  • We pursue radical transparency in service of accountability.

  • We value and model equity, inclusivity, and grace.

  • We strive for both internal and community sustainability.