Meet a Progressive: Larissa 'Lolly' Hopwood
"It's one thing to say that you support the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and diversity. But it's another thing to show up when these events are happening."
What inspired you to start working for progressive social change?
I'm one of the many people who started to get more involved during the 2016 election and its aftermath. The shock of seeing how quickly people’s rights were being taken away or threatened, especially trans folks, people with disabilities, and people of color, made me realize that I needed to do everything I could to counteract those attacks. Getting the tools to de-escalate volatile situations, showing up at (or organizing) rallies, and getting more involved politically were really important first steps. But I also saw that we each have our own platform where we can make a profound impact. As someone who works with kids, I noticed that there were a lot of parents and children who were just as worried as I was about the seemingly sudden shift that the world took. That has only intensified over the years.
While I do try to keep a balance between my “professional” and “activist” lives, the thing that's at the core of both of them is empathy. It's so important to be the kind of grown-up who models how to show courage when we see something bad happening. It's easy to walk away from conflict when you're not being observed. But when you're intentionally trying to show the kids in your lives how to be kind and how to be an advocate or ally, it's natural to set a higher standard for yourself. That can look a lot of different ways! But courage and empathy are at the heart of positive change. If we can all do our part to take responsibility and make our own corners of the world more empathetic and safe, it will make a huge impact, now and in the future.
What do you identify as the top issue progressives must confront a) locally, b) statewide in PA, c) across the nation, and d) around the globe?
a) Locally, we're being bombarded at schools, especially at school board meetings. I know that this is happening across the country, but if you have to pick a place to pay attention and do the hard work, a lot of help is needed at the school board level. Things like censorship (yep, book bans), LBGTQ erasure, racism, and ableism are just a few battles that are being waged in several local school districts. Paying attention to what's on the agenda, showing up, and speaking from the heart are the best things you can do.
b) Statewide, it doesn't take much to see that things like LGBTQ issues (especially Trans rights), and reproductive rights are about to be put under the microscope on a state-by-state basis. I have special connections in Florida and Texas. My boyfriend and his kids live in Denton, TX, so we've looked at that as an extension of our home for years. As far as I can see, we are a step away from things like the 'Don't Say Gay' Bill and restrictive body autonomy legislation right here in Pennsylvania. As the parent of a trans son with a chronic medical condition, I have a very real understanding of how much we rely on the framework of our state government to protect us. And I also know that your voice has more of an impact when you're calling your state legislator or senator than your representatives in Washington.
c) Addressing the systemic racism in this country is long overdue. In the past couple of years, there has been a lot of action in that area, especially in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmud Arbery. Unfortunately, there has been a huge backlash against that action. We're seeing it in conservative media, in the fights over school curriculum, and in our government. There are so many issues that we need to continue to confront on a national level. Systemic racism can't be put on the backburner again. And it's up to each of us, especially white allies, to keep pushing for lasting change.
d) Globally, climate change is the biggest issue that we need to be fighting for. We've had so many heavy (and very important) things shake us to the core over the past few years. But we really need to take bold action on a large scale to save the planet. We're way beyond the 'think globally, act locally' phase. Big changes need to be made. Or else everything else that we're fighting for is moot.
What types of organizing and projects are you working on right now?
I have the pleasure of being an honorary member of the Desis Of Doylestown. They're planning events for Holi at Burpee Park on April 23rd & Eid on May 7th at the moment. They're also hosting a Saree Run on March 27th in honor of women's history month, which is such a brilliant idea! I'm so excited to see all of these events come to fruition!
I've also been working closely with the Michener Art Museum and BC ARC to organize events that celebrate the diversity in our community! We had a 3 Kings Day celebration in January, an amazingly personal Martin Luther King exhibit, and a series of events celebrating Black History Month. We're looking forward to some exciting events in the next year at the Michener, but we're also working with businesses in town, the Mercer Museum, the County Theater, and venues throughout Bucks County to uplift marginalized voices in our community.
As far as the work I do with kids, I've been holding Smash the Patriarchy Story Times via Zoom on Wednesday nights. These sessions were inspired by the kidergarten pod and summer camp that I ran last year. I was really fortunate to have the space and support in 2020 and 2021 to explore how to talk with kids about subjects that a lot of grown-ups are hesitant to approach. These Wednesday sessions, which are attended by kids of all genders, are a really fun and empowering way to open up discussions about some really interesting subjects. For example, last week, I started off by reading the Paper Bag Princess, which is about a princess whose kingdom is ravaged by a dragon. She sets off to defeat the dragon and save her fiance with nothing but a paper bag and a melted crown to wear. She's brave and clever. And, in the end, she conquors the dragon and leaves the fiance who is only interested in her when she LOOKS the part of a princess. That launched us into a discussion about our inside selves and our outside selves. We learned about Helen Keller, Alek Wek (the famous supermodel who fled Sudan during a war) and Beatrice Vio (who became a fencing world champion after she lost her hand and legs to meningitis). Teaching these kids about strong, smart, brave people helps them to see their own inner and outer strength and teaches them to have more empathy and understanding of the world around them.
How can folks get engaged and involved?
Go to school board meetings! Bring friends! I know people who go and knit because they're not comfortable with public speaking. But they show up. And they are there supporting speakers who are trying to prevent book bans, who are trying to give kids the social and emotional support they need in school, who are speaking out to support LGBTQ kids in school, who are advocating for students with disabilities, and so much more.
Support the amazing events that are being organized by groups like BC ARC, Desis of Doylestown, the Rainbow Room, Rise Up Doylestown, and more! It's one thing to say that you support the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and diversity. But it's another thing to show up when these events are happening.
If you live someplace where you're not seeing a lot of action when it comes to this kind of support, make it happen! Last year, my son and I helped start Roy G Biv, a group for LGBTQ+ kids from 10-14 years old. It's led by an incredible friend of ours who is nonbinary, which is so wonderful for the kids who are attending. We started it up just by making a few phone calls and posting info on our instagram accounts. The need was there, so we just did it. We also started up a yoga class for queer kids. Our friend Adi (aka the Yoga Gnome) runs that class. It's so important for queer kids to have a space to feel safe in their own bodies. Again, we saw a need for this and, by just reaching out to someone, we were able to make it happen.
Which journalists, writers, podcasts, and publications do you turn to for information and inspiration?
I bounce between places to get my daily news. I rely on sources like NPR, the BBC, the Washington Post, NY Times and the Guardian as accurate and reliable new sources. Keeping up with everything that's happening can be overwhelming and, frankly, very upsetting. So it's also therapeutic to re-listen to the news through Colbert, John Oliver and Trevor Noah now and then. I don't look at them as news sources. But they're great ways to help process things.
I'm not much of a podcast person, but I do have some people on my Instagram feed who always help me see things differently.
@fredtjoseph is an author and an activist whose perspective always makes me sit down, check my privilege, and really think about what needs to be done. @i_weigh is a really powerful account that was started by actress & activist Jameela Jamil. She's constantly learning, amplifying others, correcting her own mistakes & challenging the way we look at the world (especially when it comes to self worth, mental health, and body image). @wokekindergarten is another great account. And @thejeffreymarsh is one of my favorite people to follow. They're a beautiful, wonderful nonbinary angel of a person who puts themself out there and confronts the emotional healing that they go through. It's a great way to understand the journey of so many LGBTQ+ people and to learn how to be a true ally.
As far as what I read, I think I should break this down into two categories. One for grown-up activists and one for kids & families. Either way, I have been very conscious about reading books by authors & illustrators of color, those from the LGBTQ+ community and those that take care to represent the diversity in the world around us. Representation matters! It's the simplest and one of the most important ways to build a better future.
For Grown-Ups:
I'm making my way through the 1619 Project, which is such an important book. I've had to set it aside a few times since it's so much to digest. But it's essential to look at the mistakes (or outright horrors) of the past so we can make real change in the future.
“When They Call You a Terrorist” by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, one of the founding members of the Black Lives Matter movement, was a lifechanging book for me, especially since BLM is not about a specific person. It's bigger than the ideas of the founders of the movement. It's about giving a voice and a space to address the pain that systemic racism has caused. And it's about standing up for change.
I recently read “The Sentence” by Louise Erdrich. It's fiction, but sometimes I think we can do the most learning and growing from works of fiction. Not only is it a story set in modern times (they deal with the pandemic throughout the story), it's also written about native people by an Indigenous author. Plus there's a bit of a magical realism element woven in, which I LOVE.
For Kids & Families:
I am deeply committed to the amazing world of children's entertainment and picture books! I've been conducting story times for over 20 years. Something that I always noticed is that kids want to talk about topics that may seem complicated or intimidating to parents. They want to take a moment to recognize that a character that is having an emotional outburst is relatable. They're OK talking about times that they were sad, angry, worried, hurt or felt left out. It's important to allow for those spaces! That being said, the following titles are ones that I think are great children's books in general, but also ones that can be a segue into opening up bigger conversations!
The Little People, Big Dreams series is so extensive! It's a great way to learn about important historical figures in an age appropriate way.
Pretty much anything by Christian Robinson is essential! His illustrations remind me of Ezra Jack Keats or Eric Carle. He is so intentional about including children of all colors, abilities, and ethnicities. I especially love his new book about Nina Simone! “Just in Case You Want to Fly” and “You Matter” are two wonderfully sweet books, and 'Last Stop on Market Street' is an amazing window into a world that every kid should see.
I adore Zachariah Ohora's books. He always leaves little easter eggs (like a Tribe Called Quest album) in the background, or naming characters after legendary musicians. But the way that so many of the books that he is involved with deal with embarrassment, anger, misplaced feelings, misunderstandings, and bullying can not only help kids to figure out how to handle complicated situations, but they can help grown-ups to make sense of those feelings, too.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is one of the series' that I use a lot. I've learned so much from it and kids love it!
Meet Other Progressives
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Meet a Progressive: Teacher Ben Hodge
Advocating for Progressive Social Change with Nick Pressley
Meet a Progressive: Alisa Shargorodsky
Fighting for the Working Class with Rick Smith
Meet a Progressive: Investigative Journalist Dawn Paley
Build Bridges, Not Walls with Todd Miller
Creating a Cleaner, Greener Future with Donna Kohut
Professional Good Troublemaker Kadida Kenner
Repairing the World with Eve Gutman
From Punk Rock to Podcasting with Kevin Mahoney
Think Globally, Act Locally with Hanna Dahlström
The Con OH Show's Connor OHanlon
Defending Democracy with Rotimi Adeoye
Activism You Can Dance to with Bonnie Chang
Creating A Nuclear Weapon Free World with Ira Helfand
Sue-Ann DiVito Fights for Immigrants’ Rights in Bucks County
Bucks County Activist Kierstyn Zolfo Is Relentless
Bucks County's Eric Miller and the Daily Bern
Peace and Nonviolence with Rev. John Dear
Anti-Racism Organizing in Bucks County with Kevin E. Leven