movements of the ‘80s, zines have created networks of ideas and art throughout history. Outlets like Facebook and Instagram are used by the Changing Womxn Collective to promote their message to a broader audience. Even though the collective uses social media platforms that don’t share their goals of highlighting a range of diverse voices, to them, getting their message out to as many people as possible is the most important thing. As Facebook has recently come under fire for their collection of their users’ private data, some question whether these platforms should even be used. Li addresses the importance of their reach. “I acknowledge that Facebook is so powerful because it reaches so many people. Especially people who might not take the initiative to seek out publications and platforms like ours.” For the collective, the contradiction does not outweigh the importance of the platform’s potential to reach millions of people.
“We’re constantly criticizing Yale for what it has done in its past and what it continues to do, but we’re there. We’re making our own paths, and we’re changing Yale at the same time.” Li compares an inner conflict she has with her own university to put it into perspective. Most of the collective’s masthead attend Yale University, one of the oldest and elite universities in the U.S. Li explains, “Being at Yale University is an internal conflict for all of us at the same time. We’re constantly criticizing Yale for what it has done in its past and what it continues to do, but we’re there. We’re making our own paths, and we’re changing Yale at the same time.” The collective’s ultimate goal is to make a lasting impact on women who may feel like society does not give them a seat at the table. The group strives to achieve a balance of power. The beauty of empowering womxn to raise their own voices and create their own spaces in the face of adversity is unparalleled. 50
Navajo culture strives for hózh̨̨ó, which has no direct translation to English. However, the combination of the English words, “balance,” “beauty,” and “harmony” encapsulate the significance of living a life of hózh̨̨ó. The changing womxn collective believes that by centering artistic expression and the voices of those from traditionally underrepresented communities, the world can get closer to embodying the ideals of balance and harmony.
