Elena Blogs for a Change

                                                          What would you do if you were having trouble finding a safe, accepting place where you felt free to be yourself? Sixteen-year-old Tabby Bellanor decided to create her own, @safebispace, which now has over 80,000 followers on Instagram.     When and why did you start your Instagram page? What was your original vision and mission? Has it evolved?   I started my page on June 10th, 2019, so about a year ago. I started it because I felt alone, to be honest. I was attending a high school that wasn't terribly accepting and I didn't know anyone else who was LGBTQ+ that I felt like I could talk to. I wanted a space where I was free to be me, and free to like who I liked without fear or shame.  I figured maybe other people could use a space li...

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was brutally murdered by Minneapolis police officers. Video of the senseless killing quickly went viral and sparked protests around the world. Below are the thoughtful perspectives of two of my friends, Fatoumata Soumare and Tália Rangel, who have also curated a great list of resources for anyone striving to better understand the issues of racism and police brutality and eager to take meaningful action.   (You also can check out some of my previous posts on criminal justice and racism: Locking Up Our Own ,  Racism in Prisons , Interview with Racial Justice Activist and Author Rinku Sen , and Volunteering at San Quentin ). Thank you, Fatoumata (left) and Tália (right)! INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES from Fatoumata and Tália Police brutality is an issue with a long history and tremendous weight. Having conversations and spreading awareness is important, but it is equally important to be respectful and sensitive to the experie...

Reuters/Robert Galbraith Craig Newmark is best known for founding Craigslist, but he is also a Web pioneer, philanthropist, and advocate. He created Craig Newmark Philanthropies in 2016 to support organizations fighting for trustworthy journalism, voter protection, women in technology, and veterans & military families.  You describe yourself as a nerd. How would you define that term?  In my case, for whatever reasons, I was never socialized, growing up without social skills and oblivious to social norms. Today, I'm only simulating social skills that I really don't have.  (This is the original sense of "nerd", which is different these days.) Why did you start Craigslist? Were you surprised when it turned into a global enterprise and part of the popular culture? Is there anything you wish had happened differently or decisions you wish you could go back and change?  After I started telling people about local events, people asked for more, and I followed t...