WIYL blog, v. 2011.0

courtesy of queering.tumblr.com

I never liked New Year’s as a holiday. In fact, on my list of holidays, New Year’s ranks pretty close to the bottom, a long way down from Halloween and Easter and one up from, well, I don’t know, National Fried Oreo day? It just seems to me, that to make an official holiday out of what’s mostly a system re-boot seems contrived, and just another reason to yell a lot, get wasted, and not mean any of it at all.

Not that those are bad things! But I like my new beginnings to be quiet, unobtrusive, because that’s how you learn most, by listening to the world, the insides of yourself, and the people around you. And I’ve resolved that that’s exactly how my new year’s going to be.

It starts with this space! As the newest editor of the WIYL blog, I’m excited that we’re going to be introducing brave new voices with important experiences, hearing from special guests, and most importantly, engaging in dialogue with you, dear reader.

I joined this campaign just a couple of months ago, as a development intern most interested in funding feminist art and writing – because i feel strongly that it aestheticizes the smallest voice, amplifies it with color, noise, and seeks out other voices that feel the same. It becomes a force to be reckoned with. What I’ve learned is that this can occur in any safe space, with any number of women. Want things to change? You’ve got to simply start Doing, and WIYL has given me the opportunity and platform for my own writing, thoughts, political opinions. And I look forward to the beautiful work we’re going to do this year.

This blog is an integral part of a wider political movement, one where women don’t sit down and shut up, but speak up about their differences and learn from each other. Where there are equal opportunities to explore your sexuality without punitive consequences. Lived experiences count for a lot, and I’m most proud that everyone on this blog, writers and readers, has a face, a stance, and life-events they’re willing to share.

So this year, we’d love to continue hearing from you – because dialogue is the best vehicle of change, and the best way to embrace difference. Something strikes you? Comment on it! We’d love to hear your opinion. Encourage our new bloggers! Disagree respectfully, because we love debate! Let us know what you’d like this year out of this blog!

This year is about learning, dialogue, and inspiring slow cultural change. And WIYL wants you! Give us your hand, dear reader, cause we’re going places, and making differences, and that’s a promise.

Tags: activism, Announcements, Education, feminism, Media, power, trust, women