When we started this project, we wanted to highlight the positives as well as illuminate the problems. While we don't have clear answers, there are plenty of people out there who do have ideas and expertise; from whom we have a lot to learn. We believe there is a lot of good in the world, and a lot of spaces where people are involved in amazing projects which we want to or bring attention to. We want to collaborate with these world and perspective changers. They come in many forms, including: awesome podcasts, insightful research, thoughtful books, inspiring poems, on-point instagrammers, and organizations that have already carved out incredible spaces for people to collaborate, educate, and grow together. We started calling these spaces ‘Bright Spots.’
Bright spots are places that give us hope, that have great potential, where we see things that are being done especially well. We want to listen and learn from the wisdom of those that know what they are talking about! Each Friday, we will highlight bright spots that connect to our contributor’s of the week. This enables us to all continue the conversation and keep learning or connecting to whatever area blows your hair back.
Here are a few of our personal favorites to get started:
Erin's Bright Spots:
Marie Beecham
One of my current favourite educators on Instagram is @mariebeech. Marie is a social justice and anti-racism educator who shares poignant and relevant content in a digestible and actionable way. Her Instagram is a great place to go to learn more about how to be sensitive to racial issues.
The Q-Network
The Q Christian Fellowship is a community that recognizes the church does not always make it easy for those who identify as LGBTQ+ to reconcile these aspects of themselves with their Christian identity. By gathering together, embracing differences, and celebrating shared trust in God’s love in Christ, they seek to point toward the full inclusivity to which God is calling us. The unchanged movement affirms LGBTQ+ Christians and challenges anti-gay rhetoric.
Indy's Bright Spots:
I_Weigh
@I_weigh is a beautiful and inspiring project which addresses an intersectional view on feminism. I_weigh amplifies voices and advocates for others with an ethos of ‘radical inclusivity’. Jameela Jamil, who runs the account, has such a healthy view of being a ‘feminist in progress’ who is constantly learning and owning up to her mistakes.
Our Shared Shelf
@oursharedshelf is a bi-monthly book club founded by actress Emma Watson. The club does a really good job of integrating a whole range of voices and uplifting authors who may not usually enter the mainstream. This is a great resource for people who are trying to diversify their reading or explore books that tackle real and personal issues. Although they have taken Our Shared Shelf in another direction, the archives of books are still super interesting to check out.
What are your bright spots? We would love to hear about them! Please share them with us over dm on Instagram, or over email!
