The right kind of influencer; speaking to Jordan Risa
Image via @jordanrisa on Instagram.
Jordan Santos is a social media strategist and content creator, but not the type of online personality you’re perhaps used to seeing. Amongst her carefully curated feed is a reminder of reality that is rare in the social media world, with a dedication to activism and constantly drawing her followers’ focus back to the causes often amiss within the social media space.
@jordanrisa / @seenaesthetic / @baddlosangeles
You’ve worked in social media for a while, how does this and content creation allow you to do
what you’re passionate about?
Or do you feel that the platforms you work on/for are adequate for advocacy?
Since working in the social media world since 2013 by building up brands and brand partnerships, I've simultaneously grown a following. While social media itself doesn't necessarily affect whether or not I learn about the things I'm passionate about - like issues re: racial inequality, for example - it does help me amplify what I learn and action items to a larger audience, which I'm grateful for.
Do you remember the first time you recognised an imbalance and lack of representation online? Or
was it a gradual realisation?
It was definitely a gradual realisation. I was blind to lack of representation for a long time, at least until my 20s. It was about 6 years ago that I started to realize that Instagram after Instagram on brand pages, I saw white model after white model, without any BIPOC represented. As representation may have improved over those years, I would say representation behind-the-scenes have not and while brands are starting to cast diverse models, the diversity on their teams is still lacking. There is also a lack of diversity within the diversity -- hair, body, disability, etc. representation absolutely needs to be considered, as well.
How responsible do you feel social media – and those with a large presence on it – is in education
today? Do you see this as a fault or growth?
I think it's only the first step. Many people think just because they are sharing stories about things going on in the world, that they are changing it. While awareness is good, it can't be the final step - there needs to be action attached and commitment to the cause.
Something you said that I think is especially poignant is that we don’t choose what we advocate
for. Do you think experience shapes our advocacy or lack thereof?
Absolutely. For example, I was involved in a near-fatal drunk driving crash and since then, I have been an advocate against drinking and driving and feel that it's my duty to speak out on the dangers of it so less people have to experience what I had to experience. But I also think we have the ability to see what's outside ourselves and recognize that while we may not have experienced a specific experience or issue, we can still use our privilege and platform to speak on it.
Through your efforts with BADD (Babes Against Drunk Driving), have you seen a want for
attention to issues as ‘normalised’ as drunk driving?
I wouldn't necessarily say that I've seen a want for attention for it, but I have gotten messages from people who said they've been impacted by a drunk driver and are appreciative to see someone speaking out on it. I think the key is to speak out, even if there's not a want -- but to show people there is a NEED.
For the ‘Learn Through Literature’ section of the website, can you give us a book recommendation
for this month?
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall: one of the most important books I’ve ever read. if you consider yourself a feminist, have walked in the women’s march, claim to care about the wellbeing of women or just people in general... you need to read this.
