We live in a society where a plethora of information is available at our fingertips, whether it be in the form of social media, documentaries, films, or news sites. While these innovations unite our diverse communities, these sources of information are often rooted in tragedy. All too often, media probes the darker aspects of humanity, and I have noticed a chronic shortage of popular stories that celebrate solutions.
Where are the student voices who are slaving over coding new apps, volunteering at local food banks, or fundraising for research projects?
A remarkable source I discovered recently that inspired my journey to search for possibility and positivity in the news is a platform that has received attention from notable newspapers such as the New York Times: GoodGoodGood.co. Their mission statement centers around striving for hopeful progress, and you can find a diverse assortment of topics on their website from pop culture, women’s policy, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Other organizations such as Ecosia and Tab for a Cause are worth exploring to rekindle your faith in humanity and get involved in grassroots-level advocacy.
Unfiltered coverage is necessary so we can be held accountable for the riven injustices in our world and remind ourselves of our constant fight against systemic barriers. Even so, an influx of depressing media can spread empathic distress and perpetrate burnout instead of a call to action for fresh perspectives. Despite the disaster and chaos looming over our planet, what outlets of hope and renewal can our generation turn toward?
Dear readers: allow me to introduce the Youth ChangeMakers Initiative.
Throughout 2024, I will be spotlighting twenty-five organizations led by teenagers who are finding innovative solutions to systemic challenges and barriers. These topics can range from climate change activists, nonprofit organizations dedicated to amplifying awareness about medicine, a therapeutic art blog, or a young entrepreneur who is starting a tutoring business.
My three goals for this project are to Reach aspiring advocates and teens who need a platform for their new ideas, Inspire youth to pursue ideas they are passionate about even if they are unconventional, and Redefine what it means to be well-informed about current issues.
As an aspiring mental health advocate and student who is eager to make a difference in her community, I learned that progress starts small. At times, progress can mean moving backward to fix a foundational inconsistency.
We are not choosing to remain ignorant of the world’s problems by grounding ourselves in good news. Sometimes, advocates need to remind themselves who they are fighting for in a world mired by hateful sentiments. While not everyone is a compassionate, honest individual, nobody embodies the perfect human.
Monumental changes are reorienting my blog, and I am dedicated to cultivating a close-knit community where we take a step back to value good news. Hopefully, my interviews and initiative become your monthly source of positivity while you navigate your lives. Keep an eye out for that first post to kick off our cycle. Remember to be receptive.
I might continue posting writing and short-form blogs about overall student life, but the categories will be archived soon. On a different note, my ‘Events and Projects’ page has been updated so you can check out a few projects I am working to complete in 2024.
If whoever stumbles across this post feels as though they made a sizable difference in their community or pursued an act of service they are proud of, feel free to reach out with a short proposal. I would love to hear from you and learn more about the initiatives you are leading.
Before I sign off, I’ll leave you with a song recommendation and a quote!
Song currently stuck in my head: Stick Season by Noah Kahan
Quote/Affirmation: “The middle is messy, but it is also where the magic happens." — Brené Brown
Interesting word of the month: Su generis is the Latin phrase for “constituting a class alone : unique, peculiar.”
Image from Pexels by Markus Spiske.