Though the world of social media can be a somewhat dark and scary space, there are folks out there using the medium to make damn good content. And not just entertaining content, but content that challenges folks to confront their biases, open their minds, and engage in discourse on difficult topics.
So, in the spirit of lifting up those accounts doing the hard work to spotlight important social justice issues, I thought I’d round up a few of them here. This list is by no means definitive but does include pages that have taught me a lot about feminism, anti-racism, environmentalism, classicism, inclusivity, and much, much more.
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Check out my picks below and let me know which ones I missed in the comments.
@theguerrillafeminist
The Guerilla Feminist (aka Lachrista Greco) is one of my favorite accounts on Instagram, period. Her posts are always fresh, topical, and on point, navigating thorny social topics with grace and nuance. Plus, she’s got a wicked sense of humor, tackling issues of feminism, race, gender identity, and sexuality with retweets, memes, works of artwork, and photographs. A must for folks looking to reflect on social justice matters in a frank, funny, and unapologetic space.
@lilnativeboy
I stumbled on @lilnativeboy about a year ago and it has since become a go-to social page for me. Allen — who identifies on his page as part of the Oglala Lakota tribe — writes about issues relevant to indigenous people, including education inequity, food scarcity, voting rights, and cultural appropriation. I’ve learned a lot digging through his archive and am always struck by the honesty and insight in his personal essays and resource round-ups.
@3tokenbrowngirls
On a mission to “amplify marginalized voices,” the folks behind @3tokenbrowngirls use their Instagram page to speak truth to power in an empowering, no-holds-barred fashion. Personally, I love the passion with which they write their many, many posts on feminism, racism, classicism, and anti-capitalism, but the style may not be to everyone’s liking. As they say, they’re not a “101 page,” so it’s best to come in with a foundational understanding of these issues before trying to engage with their content.
@lgbt_history
@lgbt_history is hands-down one of the best photo archives on Instagram. I previously talked about them in my round-up of fantastic LGBTQ+ books, but they’re worth mentioning again (and again, and again) for the important work they do to highlight and preserve queer history. What I especially appreciate about the page is the ground it covers, working as it does to include as many perspectives, experiences, and identities as it can. It truly is a rainbow, y’all.
@thenapministry
One of the most unique pages I follow is @thenapministry, an account that celebrates rest as a form of resistance. The argument goes that capitalism has trained our brains to be so hyper-focused on work and productivity that stepping back and simply taking a nap feels like a waste of time (and, ultimately, capital). So, The Nap Ministry holds nap-ins and workshops to challenge that very notion, promoting rest as a practice in liberation.
@xiyebeara
There are a ton of awesome climate activists on Instagram, but one of my favorites is Xiye Bastida. Originally from Mexico, the 18-year-old environmental advocate now resides in New York City, where she’s emerged as a leader of the global youth climate movement. I’m a big fan of hers, not only because of the incredible work she’s done to mobilize students around the world, but because of how she highlights the impact climate change has on indigenous populations. Her perspective is invaluable and one that’ll surely deepen your understanding of the climate crisis.
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