Meet Simra Mariam: #Girlboss And Founder Of Reclamation Magazine

Meet Simra Mariam- #girlboss and founder of the renowned Reclamation Magazine, a magazine aiming to amplifying the voices of the marginalized. 

We were able to ask her a few questions about her organization and what advice she has to aspiring young change-makers. Read her inspiring interview below and let us know what you think in the comments!
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What compelled you to start Reclamation Magazine?

Growing up as a first-generation Indian-American Muslim woman, there were countless times I felt like my identity isolated me. Whether it was racism, Islamophobia and later tokenism, I was fully conscious that assimilating in a world that would always perceive me as the ‘other’ would not be easy.

The stereotypes and stigmas associated with my culture or religion were constantly reinforced by the media, and still, I distinctly remember feeling a fleeting sense of fulfillment any time a South-Asian character appeared on-screen, if only for a moment; or a hijabi news anchor made headlines for ‘defying the norm.’

I had to train myself to realize that the bare minimum would never be enough: our intricate and diverse histories across the diaspora, our struggles, our day-to-day experiences in a system constructed to single us out, our cultural and familial ties — they deserved so much more.

I turned to writing as a way to express myself, and it liberated me like nothing else could have. But it was important to me that I never, ever allow myself to reach the top without lifting up others along with me. That’s where the essence for a platform like Reclamation lies, in the responsibility, once you’re handed the privilege of telling your stories, to hold the door open for others to do the same.

Alice Walker says it beautifully: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” As a little girl, if I had been exposed to even a quarter of the platforms that exist today dedicated to giving marginalized communities a voice, to reclaim their identity and to tell their stories the way they deserve to, I wouldn't have felt so alone. And that's the entire purpose of it all — shattering stereotypes, preconceived notions, micro-aggressions, diversity quotas... and building our own table so that future generations don’t have to demand a seat at one that rarely acknowledges their potential.

What is your favorite component of Reclamation Magazine?

Definitely the community that has gradually come together to support one another, whether it be in our personal lives, our professional goals, or the vulnerability we express that’s reciprocated with so much empathy and love.

I’ve often found myself editing articles or poetry submissions where I just break down in tears because I know how hard it is to be that vulnerable on paper, to tell such personal stories, and to find the strength to do so.

And vulnerability is not always loud and explosive, sometimes it’s quiet and beautifully simple — I’m grateful Reclamation has served as an outlet for people to talk about important issues, but also as a platform to publish their art, photography, and other creative ventures and receive well-deserved exposure and recognition. 

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Pictured: Simra Mariam, founder of Reclamation Magazine.

​What does Reclamation Magazine exemplify and mean to the readers?

I hope that it serves as a safe space to initiate conversations that are otherwise pushed under the rug by our culture and society, both universally and in the Western world.

Reclamation is a magazine for a purpose — it’s high time these shunned conversations were brought into the limelight, and what better way to challenge the norm than with art and writing? Poetry, literature, music, photography, film, illustration, and various other art forms are often taken for granted, at face value — but in a deeper, more analytical sense, they can be tools for showcasing human emotion and perspective while simultaneously serving as a voice against injustice in the social and political climate.

Ossie Davis once said, “Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change. It can not only move us, it makes us move.” Every creative is inspired by somebody before them — it is a chain reaction that is, fortunately, never-ending, which provides some comfort when looking ahead at the obstacles and injustices facing our world today. Art is a movement that has proven to withstand the test of time, and I am hopeful that Reclamation is able to integrate within that movement. 


How can students get involved? 

Reclamation’s full-time Contributor position is open to all students if they’d like to apply; in addition to our most recent initiative, the Ambassador Program, where they can utilize their skills in organizing and social media outreach to help construct future projects and content, as well as bring the magazine to their campus.

Our contributors and ambassadors are from around the world, and across various age groups, and I definitely think being a part of a community that diverse and welcoming is a phenomenal opportunity for students to network, receive mentorship, and build their portfolio. 

What is your advice to students who are aspiring change-makers like yourself?

Toni Morrison said, “We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language — that may be the measure of our lives.”

The digital age is changing the way we connect with one another, breaking down the barriers of color, class, and creed, and providing limitless potential to highlight our varied experiences. Take advantage of this, because words really can move mountains.

Media, if used constructively, can empower us to speak freely and step into ourselves; fully, completely, and unapologetically. While change does not always come about instantaneously, I hope the next change-maker will acknowledge that art plays an undeniably significant role in making a statement that it is possible; thus providing a spark of hope that leads to courageous acts of liberation. 

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Read more about Simra and Reclamation Magazine:
reclamationmagazine.com/
​https://www.simplysimra.com/
https://www.instagram.com/reclamationmagazine