Activists That You Need to Follow on Instagram
It has truly never been easier to stay informed than it is today. When we want to support a business or stay up to date with someone, we can follow them on Instagram or Twitter. Boom, everything they do and say is right in the palm of our hands. Technology is pretty great that way.
Personally, my level of engagement in activism changed drastically when I stopped following celebs and memes on Instagram and instead started following activists, powerful women, and organizations I love. Now, I get notified on social issues and policy changes faster than I did when I only read the news.
Disclaimer: Please read the news too. And pretty please fact-check the things you find on social media before reposting anything. Social media gets a lot of flak for being a hot spot for the viral spread of misinformation — and that’s definitely true since many accounts spread incorrect info. It can be used as a helpful tool, though, if we do our best to stay diligent and follow respected, trusted sources.
Speaking of respected, trusted sources, there are many incredible, powerful, and all-around cool women speaking up, getting loud, and using their platforms for good. I’ve compiled a list of six notable, Instagram-active womxn activists. They will get the most passive of us fired up and empowered. While this list could go on forever, it’s a great start for getting engaged and informed:
Sophia Bush: @sophiabush
You may remember her as fan-fave Brooke Davis from One Tree Hill. I’m pretty sure her character arc from promiscuous, mean girl to feminist businesswoman was inspired by the actress herself. In real life, Sophia Bush is a total badass and a lifelong activist. She has been involved in just about every cause you can think of, with a track record dating back to the early 2000s. She helped found Time’s Up, which works to end workplace sexual harassment. She was also named one of Oprah’s most influential people on her SuperSoul 100 list. I recommend listening to her incredible podcast, Work in Progress, which has introduced me to inspiring change makers around the world. Bush is super active on Instagram, posting about everything from science, to human trafficking, to politics. Her comprehensive explanations make her one of my favorite people to follow.
Ericka Hart: @ihartericka
This sex educator, writer, and self-proclaimed “racial/social/gender justice disruptor” is probably one of the most important voices on Instagram. As a fighter for equality, she made me take a hard look in the mirror and recognize my blind spots. Ericka Hart is quick to critique the status quo and reminds their audience to recognize the perspectives of the most marginalized groups in society. This isn’t a sunshine and rainbows account, and it’s why their work is so essential. She is super active on Instagram and focuses on colorism, black femmes, hypocrisy in our political systems, and honestly, ourselves. Consider their work to be your daily accountability reminder to do better.
Rachel Cargle: @rachel.cargle
As a poet, scholar, and business owner, Rachel Cargle reached new heights of fame during the 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. She started an organization called the Loveland Foundation, which provides free and accessible therapy for Black women. She also opened a bookstore called Elizabeth’s, where part of the proceeds goes back to her foundation. Most notably, she created The Great Unlearn, which explores the intersection of race and womanhood through comprehensive, monthly syllabi. The amount of resources this woman provides is astounding and her branding is on point. Her Instagram showcases her life, her poetry, and her activism.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: @aoc
If you go on Instagram enough, chances are you have heard of the legendary Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). She established herself in more than just New York when this former bartender became the House Representative for New York’s 14th District in 2018. Her speeches quickly went viral in a way no other representative’s speeches have. She is a progressive politician and a true activist. What has made AOC and her squad so popular is their willingness to speak for the people, advocate for the people, and point out corruption and bad policies from both parties. She is extremely active on Instagram, sharing news, videos, live streams, and tweets. She is just as active off-screen, regularly joining protests.
Indya Moore: @indyamoore
I must confess, I discovered Indya Moore this year after getting obsessed with the show Pose. This show about the LGBTQ+ community pushes against the standard heteronormative Hollywood viewpoint by starring primarily transgender women. As an openly transgender woman, Moore pushes for transgender rights off-screen. Moore is young but wise. Their linktree alone is chock-full of resources, petitions, and organizations to support. Their page is filled with honest, raw photos and videos of themself and their experiences. New to the national spotlight, Indya is taking the world by storm.
Melina Abdullah: @docmellymel
If her name sounds familiar, it might be because she’s the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter LA Chapter. A recipient of the Racial Justice Award and Freedom Now Award, she is one of LA’s 10 most influential leaders. Abdullah is an accomplished professor at Cal State LA and former Chair of Pan-African Studies. Abdullah is a true grassroots organizer and has re-awakened the “take to the streets” mentality in LA. She doesn’t let arrests or critiques stop her from being a leading voice in the movement to defund the police. She also advocates for Black families who have lost loved ones to police brutality. If you’re looking to get involved in BLM, or simply informed on how to organize and start a movement, you definitely want to follow her on Instagram.
Call To Action:
Instagram is a powerful platform when used as a tool for activism. Through Instagram, we can create change in the world we live in. Be sure to follow these six activists as well as the causes they support. Not only do they have personal Instagrams, but they also have accounts for their foundations, which you can check out below. Happy learning!
- Check out Rachel Cargle’s The Loveland Foundation
- Educate yourself with Cargle’s The Great Unlearn
- Join the Black Lives Matter movement
- Join Melina Abdullah at BLM LA
- Follow Sophia Bush’s Time’s Up
- Listen to Bush’s Work in Progress podcast
-Alicia Briggs, Content Creator