Bidding Change.org Farewell and Embarking on the New

Well, friends, as I'm sure you can figure out from the title, I'm leaving Change.org today, and this will be my last contribution to this space, though as I'll explain in the latter part of this post, I'll be continuing elsewhere and hope you'll visit me there. But first, of course, a look back and some thank-yous:

When I managed to snag this gig a year and a half ago, I'd been aching for a long time to feel like I was contributing something to the world. I truly love running a freelance editing business from home, for many reasons, but I am an activist at heart, and despite loving my work, I additionally wanted to be doing something more meaningful on the side, something that I believed in -- animal rights, in particular. But as an editor and writer living in St. Louis, I wasn't sure how to parlay my particular skill set and location into impactful animal rights activism.

Then this incredible opportunity arose. And suddenly, I had the chance to write about animal rights every day from right where I already was, to daily get information and a message of compassion, respect, and nonviolence out to a mainstream audience -- and even be paid a modest stipend to do it, to boot. I could keep doing the editing I love while also using the written word to advocate for and educate about the most oppressed victims on this planet and for what I know to be the most important movement of our time. I knew this platform could be a life-changing opportunity, not just for me, but for the potential readers and for our fellow animals as well.

And for me, it certainly has been. Writing about animal rights twice a day, trying to keep abreast of all that is happening in this area, and working to keep up with the constant flow of information (and messages) has meant daily, constant immersion in animal rights issues and in the animal rights movement for the last year and a half. And though this has been exhausting, it also has given me a wealth of new experiences, perspectives, knowledge, and connections. There are so many of you out there who have touched my heart and become a part of my life -- and who have both supported and educated me -- whom I never would have met or developed these connections with sans this platform. And I know that this corner of the blogosphere has been something special and in some cases even life-changing for many of you too. You have shared that with me, and I will carry your words and your stories in my heart always. I am so very grateful for you and for your commitment to living your values, with respect and kindness for your fellow animals. Indeed, dear readers, colleagues, and friends, it turns out that I said much of what is in my heart already last month, on Thanksgiving. That day's post would be perfectly fitting today. So rather than repeat, I'll just direct you to it and let you read it on your own, the last half of it especially: Animal Rights and Gratefulness, for the Animals and for Each Other.

The decision to move on from Change.org has been anything but an easy one. There are pieces of my heart scattered throughout this space, from the words I've written to the connections I've made to even the photo of the pig I selected for the design, when that face hit me right in the heart. So the tears have certainly flowed, and there is a heavy pit in my stomach as I prepare to publish this. But though I will forever be grateful for the connections, opportunities, and even parts of myself I found here, the site and I are no longer the right fit for each other, and it's time.

But this doesn't have to be a goodbye in all ways because I'm not going to stop writing, and I hope you won't stop reading and joining in. Starting today, I'll be hanging out in a new, developing space, Animal Rights & AntiOppression, with some fellow antioppression-minded animal rights advocates you've seen pop up on this blog from time to time. Please visit us there and also check out and sign up for our mailing list, and I'll update you as everything comes together and as exciting new developments unfold. I will miss this community and this space and am heartbroken about leaving it, but the new space will provide some interesting flexibility, in my writing and in my life, and I'm excited about both the project and the people with whom I am sharing it. You'll see some of the same kinds of posts and series there that you're accustomed to seeing here, but also lots of new stuff, on both animal rights and other issues.

I hope to see you there. But if I don't, thank you for having joined me here, for giving me so much while I was here, and for continuing to be a voice for our fellow animals.

With love, with gratitude, and--yes--with tears,

Stephanie

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Related links:

• Animal Rights & AntiOppression
• Mailing list and possible discussion list (you may also send a blank e-mail to challengeoppression-subscribe@yahoogroups.com)
• Animal Rights and Gratefulness, for the Animals and for Each Other

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