Three Inspiring Takeaways from #BlogHer15
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| Patranila attends #BlogHer15 |
BlogHer15 Takeaway #3 ~ You know more than you think you do
The theme of ‘experts among us’ was particularly strong throughout the keynote addresses and panel discussions. In other words, the answers you seek are closer than you think.How often do you have a Wizard of Oz ‘Dorothy’ moment? You launch yourself on a quest for answers and information only to discover that you already knew the broad strokes and most of the fine details you were seeking. I am guilty of doing this time and again because oftentimes I think there’s a great big pot of crucial information that I’ve yet to stumble upon and until I do, I don’t necessarily have the confidence to put my plan in motion. We all need to have fewer Dorothy moments and more ‘Just Do It’ Nike moments.The next time you’re looking for answers, mine your own knowledge base on the subject first. Then ask one or two in-the-know friends to see if there’s something you’re missing. You’ll likely be surprised at the sheer volume of information that’s right at your fingertips.
BlogHer15 Takeaway #2 ~ Own your creativity and your work
One of the major highlights of BlogHer15 was the #BlackLivesMatter / #WomensLives opening keynote address. Black Lives Matter was birthed on Twitter and has taken over the equal justice narrative in the wake of the murders of black women and men in the US at the hands of police and vigilantes. Say what you want about hashtag activism but the #BlackLivesMatter movement has served to shape the dialogue and actions around equal protection for black people in this country. It’s so powerful and pervasive that the current crop of presidential candidates must demonstrate how they square with the movement or risk political suicide.
The thing is, I never thought about how the hashtag came about, who created it and what, if any, organizing structure was behind it. It was just suddenly there, it came out of the ether. I’m downright embarrassed by my own naivete and ignorance. Especially as a creator and a creative, I know that things don’t just come out of the ether. Someone injects the ether with their idea and from that injection, many things grow.
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| Black Lives Matter Co-Founders, Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullers |
Enter Patrisse Cullers, Opal Tometi and Alicia Garza, the co-founders of Black Lives Matter and creators of the social media hashtag. Ms. Garza was not in attendance, but Ms. Cullers and Ms. Tometi were front and center talking about how the movement started, grew legs and became the rallying cry for those fighting for justice. They also spoke at length about how media entities, businesses and community organizations, both mainstream and independent, were publishing reams of content around the Black Lives Matter movement but had never invited its founders to participate in the conversations. How allies and enemies alike were co-opting the work of the movement, adapting the message and creating alternative narratives, asking the founders for advice without ever acknowledging the genesis of #BlackLivesMatter.
Of course, the founders quickly sprang into action, solidified their ownership and authorship and have since become diligent in protecting the integrity and mission of their creation.
Personally, I was struck by how often and how easily we give away our creativity and passions without forthrightly claiming ownership and authorship of our ideas and demanding credit be given where due. You have a right (and duty) to claim your babies because if you don’t, someone will come along, take over your sh*t and act like they never even saw you.
Which dovetails perfectly to my #1 Takeaway from BlogHer15.
BlogHer15 Takeaway #1 ~ Stop waiting for permission!
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| Ava DuVernay in a reflective moment. |
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| BlogHer15 ~ Experts Among Us |
Be your own expert, own your work and don’t wait for permission. Three inspiring messages that will stand me in good stead for years to come. I hope they’ll do the same for you.For more information on the BlogHer Conference and SheKnows Media visit the BlogHer site.
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you are a fucking rockstar. glad to call you friend and be inspired by you!!!!!
Right back at ya babe!! Miss you!
Such an inspiration and great takeaways. I wasn't able to attend this year, but I hope to be able to attend a BlogHer conference one day. Thanks for sharing!
Great messages! Ava Duvernay is such an inspiration! I hope to make it to BlogHer one year
I LOVED BlogHer this year. So many great gems and takeaways. I can't wait for next year.
These are some really great takeaways! I have never been to BlogHer but I look forward to attending at least once.
Wow, these are some awesome takeaways! All of them are equally powerful and important, thanks for sharing!
I am do looking forward to attending next yesr.
I loved every minute of Blogher this year! It was so inspiring all around!
This is a great review. I have been using my blog to inform people about some aspects of the Black Lives Matter Movement. I have gotten a lot of positive feed back. I think it is important to use our blogs for things that are bigger than us. Aisha Johnson Adams #BBLOVE
Agreed!
Really wish we could've gone to Blogher. Hopefully we will next year.
This Blogher conference seems to have been one of the greats. #BlackLivesMatter did seem to drop from the sky and others have indeed sought to take it as their own and alter it from it's unique and intended purpose. I knew from fairly early on , it was created by three women. They deserve a seat at ANY table when the topic is discussed with no apologies. This is one movement that will be carried on for lifetimes and I will be right there helping to push it forward.
This is a wonderful, insightful take on what you took from the BlogHer conference and I enjoyed it greatly.
I'll be pushing it forward as well!
This was my 4th Blogher. It is such an amazing conference and every year I take away so many important things. Great post!
Fourth? Wow. I'll soon be a veteran like you!
Nice! wish I could have made it!
Just do it is what I took away from what I saw online and from a few blog buddies. I think that we do know more than we think and we should aspire to put that knowledge to good use.
Finding inspiration is always good to share. I am glad you found yours at the conference!
Sounds like you were able to take a lot away with you from this conference. These are so great lessons!
It sounds like a great event. These are great takeaways
I love the idea of not waiting for permission. Go for it; charge ahead!
Sounds like you learned a lot from BlogHer15. I would have like the Expects Among Us workshop. We can sometimes second guess ourselves, when we need to just try our gut.
Wonderful event. I agree don't keep putting things on the back burner.
This sounds like an awesome event. You are right in saying that these key points can be applied to every woman's life.
Blogher 15 is such an amazing event. For sure you all got fully motivated and empowered from the stories you heard and lessons your learned.
Looks like a great event. I hope to go to a blogger conference some day soon.
I hope to join this event, too. It sounds fun and I'm sure we will learn a lot from this.
Such a great article! I just loved BlogHer15 🙂
You're right, these are great messages for everyone! But I think creatives have an especially hard time with them. BlogHer sounds like it was a great event!
Jealous! Wish I could have gone!
Love this. I was sad to miss BlogHer this year. Thanks for the recap!
Great looking event, people and even great thoughts!
Glad you enjoyed yourself. I was one of the few that skipped going, but I am ok with it 🙂
Sounds and looks like such a great event. I'm sad I missed it this year.
Jessica
the way to my Hart
This event looked great and very inspiring. Hopefully I'll be able to attend BlogHer next year.