By Guadi Rabino
Staff Writer
Due to their strong perspectives on many social issues such as the discrimination towards race, religion, gender, sex and sexuality, Mira Costa senior Natalie Oliveras and Costa junior Lucy McDonald decided to take matters into their own hands.
This past March, Oliveras and McDonald decided to come together to start an Instagram account, @friendlyfeministsquad, in which they post encouraging feminist art from various artists, numerous posts in appreciation of several famous feminist supporting artists, and important news to empower women. Via the hashtag feministappreciation they show support for their community.
“We hope that this account creates a more open environment of acceptance and love,” Oliveras said. “ Our goal is that people see our posts and open up to the idea of equality. Being best friends, we share common values and we both want to end girl hate.”
With shared passion for certain topics such as the constant discrimination against different social groups and shared views on many controversial subjects such as sex and sexuality, Oliveras believed it was only logical that she ask McDonald to work with her to run such a meaningful account.
“I know Natalie is a strong willed person with only good intentions and great ideas,” McDonald said. “I would say we have extremely similar if not identical views on many subjects. I think the account just shows that people care about these issues and we see them.”
The two said they started @friendlyfeministsquad in hopes of opening up people’s eyes to issues and injustices around the world, and as a way for them to use their privileges to help. McDonald said that they hope to bring more awareness to pre existing problems and to create a warm welcoming community.
“I felt like there was nowhere for me to say what I wanted about the subjects I care about so I used social media as my platform,” Oliveras said. “It is important to make people aware because in my opinion, education and knowledge are power, and that is what is going to make a difference in the fight for gender equality and the end of discrimination.”
The art featured in the account’s posts come from a variety of different artists and sources such as tumblr, inspiring Instagram accounts and mutual friends. However, their posts are not limited to just pictures and works of art, their account also includes a variety of quotes and cartoons.
“I never hold back from what I post on this account,” Oliveras said. “Whatever I think I should post I just do because it is just a way for me to express my opinion so I just say why not?”
With 105 followers, Oliveras said that by posting a plethora of inspiring pictures, it wasn’t hard for the two co-creators to gain followers. Many of their loyal followers have been able to discover their account due to the new Instagram feature of suggested follows.
“We didn’t necessarily expect to get so much support. Our goal was not to become a popular account by any means,” McDonald said. “ We just want to create a safe environment.”
Through this account, McDonald and Oliveras hope to come into contact with many others who share their same passions. Oliveras said they want to create a community of people who help raise awareness of these social issues and support each other.
“I hope that people are able to go up to Lucy or I and know we are down to talk art, music, feminism, politics and cartoons,” Oliveras said. “Also, that people who are discriminated against are heard and known, and their struggle is valid, we are here to fight with you against haters.”
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