My name is Sophie Mackin, and I am a rising junior at Bates College. I am a Politics major, and I am very passionate about social justice. I believe that storytelling is actually one of the most effective ways to humanize the issues that are often considered "political," too complicated, and divisive. In today's world, it can be easy to read an article online or even just a tweet and quickly form an opinion about a group of people, a cause, a place, etc. However, we shouldn't be making these decisions or judgments until we truly take the time to listen to people's stories and understand their challenges, triumphs, and day-to-day experiences. By listening to each other and learning from each other, I think we will be able to create political, social, economic, and environmental structures that are more just and more sustainable for everyone involved. 

I have been a staff writer for the student newspaper at both my college and high school. I have written news, arts, leisure, sports, and opinion articles that have required interviews on a variety of topics. I always try to prepare extensively before an interview with enough background research surrounding the interviewee and their work/the topic. 

In the past, writing has been the primary way that I have tried to illuminate different perspectives and share the stories of those who may not have a platform. In collaborating with The Creative Process, I am interested in exploring other vehicles for this important work such as artwork, theater, music, and more. Especially during this pandemic, creative expression has become all the more powerful as a tool to bring people together and continue to foster a human connection. Even though we're apart and most of the practices we consider "normal" are no longer possible, our creative minds are capable of teaching one another, innovating together, and finding ways to evolve in these circumstances. These efforts should be celebrated, and I would be so excited to talk to the artists, writers, photographers, actors, activists, and researchers who can inspire us. Through The Creative Process, I am able to share a sense of hope and optimism as well as an energy for making change with an audience that may be struggling to find those things. Sometimes, a new idea, thought, or approach is all that is needed to restore some faith.