Having a platform of any kind is a responsibility, one that I do not take lightly. It’s important to me to always use my platforms to spread awareness and do as much good as possible with the resources I have.
That said, I don’t like the way that a lot of people online jump to conclusions if I don’t make a statement about a news event straight away. There’s a reason I take my time addressing certain things online, and it’s because I think as a creator with a platform that reaches a decent amount of people, not only do I have a responsibility to spread awareness, I also have a responsibility to spread accurate facts.
Since around 2019, I have seen a lot of creators, public figures, and celebrities get dragged online for not addressing social movements, tragedies, or current events in a timely manner. In addition to that, I have seen a lot of public figures circulating false information that is later disproved or disputed. I am not a politician, journalist, professor, or anyone with enough depth of knowledge to give my online community the best, most factual sources of information at the drop of a hat. Any time I address something online, I do so after I have spent time talking to my parents, my team, my friends, and educating myself about the matter at hand, so that I am equipped with enough information to speak on matters that matter, especially if I’m being asked for an opinion.
I understand that we are living in a modern world, where the credible resources I spoke about above are readily available to me online. But I am an 18-year-old girl. Unlike a diplomat or an FBI director, when something hits the news I find out with the rest of the world, in real time, and have my own thoughts, feelings, and emotions to process with that news.
When the news of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was announced, as a woman, I was emotional. In full transparency, my older sister Facetimed me crying and we ended up crying together, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
I also didn’t understand fully what the decision meant. There was a cacophony of voices online telling me how I should feel, what the effects would be, and it all scared me. At the same time, within hours I had people commenting online saying I wasn’t addressing the situation, and that I wasn’t a “real advocate” of women’s rights.
In the time that it took people to judge me and comment hate on my page, I was discussing with my trusted family and team members as well as researching online what the ruling meant. Beyond that, any time I make a statement, I want it to be actionable. Anyone can post a photo and type a caption talking about how saddened they are by tragic news. My goal as a creator and as a human being is to put action behind my words. This is why I decided to support No Buy 3-5 by encouraging anyone shopping on my Sienna Swim website not to purchase anything July 3-5, and incentivizing this by having a 15% off sale on July 7.
This action, to me, was more tangible than an Instagram post. I understand that not everyone will agree with my methods, and that’s okay. My goal is and has always been to engage in our society in a way that feels meaningful to me, not in a way I think will best please the masses.
I am still educating myself behind closed doors, and having important conversations about how I can best support and advocate for causes I care deeply about. I want to encourage you all to do the same, and to remember that just because someone isn’t saying something, doesn’t mean they aren’t doing something. Sending you all love during this changing and sad time. <3
