Working with Ms. has shown me the problems— and the solutions

Working with Ms. has shown me the problems— and the solutions

By Meredith Abdelnour, Ms. Editorial Fellow

 

Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to constantly follow the news, learning about all of the terrible injustices happening all over the world. Working in journalism can be even more disheartening, as being informed and up-to-date on current events is an important part of the job.

 

But working at Ms., I’ve learned the power of solutions journalism— journalism that covers possible solutions to the problems that we’re writing about and focuses on the incredible women and activists doing work to dismantle systems of oppression and create a better world for women everywhere.

 

There are many problems facing women and other marginalized groups all over the world, and it’s important to tell those stories and report on these injustices. But it’s also important to remember that there are many people fighting for marginalized groups and striving to make the world a better place.

 

I recently interviewed Victoria Kirby Smith, deputy director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), about the Lavender Book, a project that’s the result of a collaboration between the NBJC and Out in Tech, an LGBTQ non-profit. Lavender Book provides a directory of safe and welcoming spaces for Black queer people.

 

I’ve also been learning about Emergency Contraception 4 Every Campus (EC4EC), an organization that helps students across the country to make emergency contraception more accessible on their campuses through peer-to-peer distribution or emergency contraception vending machines. Some students at Catholic universities do this work because their universities refuse to sell or distribute any contraceptives, and these student-run reproductive health organizations on campus are the only option for safer sex supplies. One of these organizations, Big Easy EC, even exists on Tulane’s campus and has recently extended their resources to our neighboring Jesuit university.

 

There is a lot of work to do to ensure safety and security for marginalized groups and oppressed people across the world, and it’s far from done. But when you’re overwhelmed with a barrage of terrible news, take a minute to acknowledge and celebrate the people fighting for progress.