Optimism: In This Day & Age?
Hi Friends -
The world has really been such a bummer lately. And as much as I love critiquing and pointing out more inconsistencies and inequities in the world, I just feel like collectively we don't need that right now. Or maybe I just don't need that right now. All of the posts I have in the works cover some pretty big topics - whiteness as property, cultural appropriation - anti-blackness edition, antisemitism, addressing the bias of DEI...none of these are light topics. I've been trying to think of a way to give you something to read that also might be enjoyable. Last week, I realized that even though I mostly deal with heavy topics that make me question the very essence of humanity, I've also become a lot more hopeful and optimistic these last couple of years. I've had the opportunity to read, listen, learn, and be in community with some truly amazing people over the past couple of years. Meeting people who really care deeply about this world has restored a little bit of my faith in humanity. It has restored in me a desire to treat others with a little more grace each and every day.
So I want to introduce you to some of the people who have made my world a little brighter. I tend to be a little more academically minded, and I think this list might reflect that. However, I think there is a false narrative that people who are educated or produce academic work have a greater or more significant influence on the world. This is something that I was socialized to believe. I am trying to break this belief, because it's so clearly a lie. It is easy to link to the pages and work of people who are published or have access to the internet. But there is no need to prove your worth to be alive. So please keep in mind that existing is all one really has to do to be valid and worthy.
I started writing this list SEVERAL weeks ago, but then life happened. I wanted to make a super list, but I think instead this is going to be a list in parts.
Dr. Yaba Blay
I first became acquainted with Dr. Yaba Blay through her book One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race which was one of my top books of last year. I've also had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Blay give a couple of lectures on identity and body politics. Concisely, I so often see researchers manipulate people's stories to fit their narrative. I've appreciated that my perception of Dr. Blay is that she prefers to let people present their own stories and experiences. It's not revolutionary, but it also...is. It's really refreshing. We so often surround ourself with people who have similar ideologies, which leads to limited diversity in thought. I appreciate when I'm exposed to new ideas and perspectives, especially ones that make me frown. Because ultimately that means the idea is making me think.
Website: https://www.yabablay.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yabablay/
Dr. Devon Price
If I was going to be in a fan club, I would definitely be in the Devon Price fan club. Personally, I've never been interested in celebrities, famous people, infamous people, my coworkers, or people in general - but ever since getting to know Devon I'm just like wow, I'm interested. I first heard of Dr. Price's book - Laziness Does Not Exist - another one of my top books of 2021 from @allisonreadsdc (who is also a wonderful human being). Being the person I am, I thought - "a non-Black person talking about rest, I'll keep it under consideration." I happened to later see some threads Devon wrote floating around and shortly after followed him on Instagram. And wow, from Devon fragrance to having to look up who Grimes is to my deep seated (I had to look this up, I thought it was deep seeded) fear of chinchillas (sorry Dump Trunk) to really insightful commentary on society, since Devon has come into my life I am always thinking. Like Dr. Blay, I appreciate that Dr. Price isn't just postulating. He often asks questions of his audience and redirects to others - both those who have academic knowledge and those have more tangible experiences. I also think that the conversations that Devon has around parasocial relationships and interactions on social media are important. They've been helpful to me in maintaining boundaries and the level of interaction I want to have with people who don't know me intimately. Oh! And he JUST released a book called Unmasking Autism. I got to read an early copy and it's great! Pick it up, listen to the audiobook (he reads it!), and be sure to write a review!
Medium: https://devonprice.medium.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdevonprice
Yasmine (formerly @yasmine.dreamz, currently @yafa.yasmine)
Yasmine is someone who I met via Instagram at some point in 2020. What some folks don't know about me is that I've always had a lot of internet friends. As a teenager, while I had friends in school, I frequently formed connections with people online where I could express myself in a more authentic way. Yasmine is the definition of a real one. She is kind, compassionate, cares about others, and is not afraid to have your back when things get serious. Yasmine has been talking about her experiences as an Israeli, disabled, Jewish mother raising two Black & Jewish sons online for many years. She is a survivor of domestic violence, and uses her personal experiences to give others some insight into other lived experiences within the SWANA Jewish community. I'm beyond blessed to be able to call Yasmine a friend. The greater world is blessed that Yasmine continues to share her experiences, especially when people can be so filled with hatred.
One of the things I appreciate the post about Yasmine is that even when discussing difficult topics, she centers beauty and joy. When talking about difficult topics such as antisemitism, it can be really easy to get caught up in the negative. Yasmine does a wonderful job of centering Jewish joy and hope while still addressing and combating harmful stereotypes and tropes that are often associated with us as Jews. She does this when talking about mental illness, disability, self-care, and working with a therapist. Yasmine balances difficult topics with joyful images in order to remind us that we have to try to find that balance in ourselves and in our experiences. And frankly, every time I see a post of hers I'm thankful for the reminder.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/QuarterWaterDreams/posts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yafa.yasmine