Reflections From Maven: Joining Righting Relations

My name is Maven, and I have recently joined the Righting Relations team as the communications intern. I am also currently a student at Humber in the Professional Writing and Communication Program, the program requires that each student complete a 400-hour internship. I knew right away that I wanted to complete my internship with an organization that was making a positive impact. When I began to look for an internship and was introduced to Righting Relations, I felt really excited at the prospect of working for an organization that was committed to positive change at a community level. I was especially drawn to Righting Relations because their mission focused on promoting gender equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression education and committed to community building all of which feel especially important to me. 

Having previously worked as a tutor at On Your Mark, a program designed for students who are first-generation Canadians who may not get as much English practice at home, I gained a deeper appreciation for the way that education and community can change lives and foster deeper connections. So the Righting Relations mission really spoke to me because the organization is also focused on education and community building.

Righting Relations was especially interesting to me because they offer resources that help individuals reshape the way they view the world.  For example, I have already been influenced to rethink the way I gain knowledge on new topics; it is easy, especially coming from an academic background, to get boxed into believing that only certain forms of knowledge are “valid” and that certain dominant narratives are universally true. For example, at the beginning of my internship I was conducting research for a future social media post and mentioned to Chrystal Toop (Content and Communications Coordinator) and Ally Crockford (National Coordinator) that I had been reading some peer-reviewed sources, to which they reminded me that it wasn’t necessary to only use peer-reviewed sources and that I could use alternative sources of knowledge such as someone retelling their experiences in a blog in my research. 

Working for Righting Relations is helping me to question and unlearn many beliefs I’ve accepted as true or valid. I am excited to challenge myself to broaden my perspectives, learn new skills and make a positive impact on my community.