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‘Create with compassion, build with authority, give like royalty, teach like a student, and work from relaxation’ : Meet Nikita Shuhumar 

23 May 2021

By Mahika Panditha  Get yourselves on Instagram and check out this gem of a person if you have not already. Nikita Shuhumar (@nikitashuhumar) is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology at the University of Melbourne. Aside from being a student, Nikita spends her time creating content focusing on social justice, human rights, violence prevention, and empowerment – she is working side by side with iProbono Equality Law Director and human rights activist Aritha Wickramasinghe to create media for advocacy, which you can find on both of their pages. Nikita is also the frontrunner of the Humanitarian Wing at Seven Seas Holdings Ceylon (Pvt.) Ltd. as well as a part of the Youth Technical Advisory Committee of the Family Planning Association, Sri Lanka (FPA).  “I am passionate about people. I enjoy creating or building anything that serves the purpose of restoring the brokenness of humanity. I love seeing efforts multiply and solutions that were once just an idea, grow,” she said when discussing her goals and passions.  I have been lucky enough to know Nikita for years now and it has been amazing to see her grow and flourish. Her digital content showcases a wide variety of topics worth discussing and debating. We had the chance to chat early last week about all things content and social justice, and this is what she had to say.  So, how did you get into content creation? And what made you want to focus on human rights and social justice?  For me, Instagram has always been a place for creative expression. I always found it convenient to speak about my very controversial experiences, through my online space. I disliked repeating the stories I had to relate while growing up, so this just worked well for me, as I could reach a large audience in one go.  Initially, I shared my daily experiences online as means of encouragement to others. Heaps of people were thrilled to see them, and even made some huge lifestyle changes as a result.  While I was at university, I took a subject called Israel and Palestine: Conflict and Peace. It was when I read academic articles/literature that highlighted the raw experiences of the people of Israel and Palestine, that I started reflecting on my own experiences. I could relate, and felt immense pain when I read each word. At the time, I wasn’t even aware of the injustices I had faced or witnessed in my world. The grace and passion of my lecturer also created the space I needed to explore the meaning of social justice and human rights, for myself.  A few months after, I heard about the police brutality faced by George Floyd. I witnessed the pain my friends who were Black, felt. I was also instantly reminded of the discrimination of Black people I witnessed in Melbourne. I remember having a sleepless night, and in the morning, I instantly took a video and posted it.  In terms of human right violations, I myself have gone through a fair share of gender-based violence, racism, discrimination, ageism, and so on, especially as a minority. Several issues I speak about are from personal experience or the experiences of people I love.  I started off with cyberbullying, as someone I cared about experienced it, and I witnessed their pain. I was moved to speak about it, and continue to do so on up until today. I also took a subject on it at university following what I witnessed.  I started posting about social justice and human rights beyond just my Instagram stories fairly recently. In a year, my audience grew from 1,200 to 5,200.  What inspires you to keep going every day?  What I see when I look around me inspires me. I look at myself in the mirror and I see the battles I’ve overcome, and those that I have won. I then remember how many I am yet to win. I see the gifts or weapons I’ve been given, and one thing I don’t like to do, is waste them. For example, I know I’m skilled at creating content, have access to technology, and an audience to reach. I make sure I take care of all of these things carefully, and continue to appreciate them and build them, rather than pay no attention to them. I strongly believe the more I take care of what I’ve got, the more I will get. I believe investing in what I’ve got will multiply it. I believe in reaping what I sow. Therefore, I’m constantly thinking about building just anything I’ve got.  Make sure you don’t just look around, but see. You will be inspired.  With that said, I’m able to sustainably continue on what I’m doing because I pick and choose my battles. Not every war is mine to fight.  Your posts are amazing and full of knowledge. How do you plan your content and go about it ensuring that it evokes conversation ethically?  Creating content is something that is connected to the core of my being. I feel like I breathe content. I believe we are creative beings, and we all create in our own ways. Here are some of the ways I plan them, sustain this lifestyle, and maintain my ethic.
  1. Rest is a priority. This can be in different forms, and not only limited to physical rest. Without rest, I wouldn’t be able to sustain this lifestyle. Rest could be something we are taught we need to earn, however this isn’t true. I create from rest, rather than for rest 
  2. I have a schedule which reminds me I’ve got to post educational content at least twice a week. This is compulsory. My audience would appreciate someone who is consistent. I do keep posting throughout the week, as much as I can regardless 
  3. I make sure I have a one-to-one view with my audience, as well as a bird’s-eye view. Instagram posts are like regular conversations, but in a different medium. 500 views is actually equivalent to 500 actual people in a room. Keeping this is mind helps with managing a context collapse, and also making sure mostly everyone feels represented 
  4. I create awareness of issues I usually feel a connection with (even if I don’t relate), and keep building on topics/comments that people seem to resonate the most with. Each post is created with compassion 
  5. I try my best to make sure my Instagram community carries on the conversations into their worlds. My page is a place that creates space for growth for everyone 
  6. I also believe I’m accountable, as the culture I’ve created for my IG community is one where everyone’s opinion is valid (if they are genuine). I read feedback and take it very seriously. I always address everything, to the smallest detail 
  7. I think it is very important to be posting from a place of healing. I find it more sustainable, in comparison to posting from a place of anger and open wounds. When I say this, I don’t mean we disregard the words of those in pain; I am simply encouraging everyone to actively work on their healing, as it takes you a long way 
What would you say to young people looking to start their own conversations online?  Do it! Find your purpose first, or else someone else might try to do it for you – and this will usually be limiting. All you need is passion, and basic competency/skill. Both of these will keep growing as you use them and invest in them. Go for it! You have all my support.  Have you had to face criticism? If so, how do you deal with it?  Yes, absolutely. I am all in for constructive criticism, and it even refines my creativity and builds me up. However, what I reject is destructive criticism (it is an attack and usually comes from someone I can’t trust for advice).  I find certain destructive words really do affect us, regardless of our knowledge of those words being untrue. This is because a part of our brokenness believes it to be true. Most attacks get to us because a part of us has thought about it before or we have been attacked in the same way as a child perhaps. Growing to be more whole as a person, and healing my brokenness has helped me face this better. The more I heal in general, the more I find myself unbothered by harsh comments.  I find setting boundaries helpful. I am usually honest about things, and I say I don’t want to hear it right now; or I would shut down the conversation. I find talking to someone I trust helpful. I also speak to myself and make sure my voice is louder than those who want to put me down.  What has been your biggest challenge thus far and how did you overcome it?  I wouldn’t call this the biggest challenge, but it is one of the challenges I faced that I’d like to share. Taking complete ownership of my own online space. It is something I need to do every day. It’s a constant process that needs renewal.  As a young adult, who is a student, single, and a minority in Sri Lanka, there are many people who try to silence me and keep me captive. The most common words I hear right now are, “You are too young and inexperienced to be talking about these things”. As a child, I heard different oppressive opinions. Alongside this, I also hear from people who think they are entitled to command me, on what to post (if it is genuine, I immediately do it, this is about those who aren’t well-wishers).  During these times, I take some time to walk away from the noise, and listen to God’s voice (I remind myself of His words of freedom and empowerment). This helps me shut down the wrong voices, hold on to my authority, and continue taking space. Ultimately, as a young person I do need someone to tell me if I am on the right track. For me, the word of God leads me.  I also remind myself that people who try to belittle me are usually those who haven’t done anything even close to what I have for the betterment of society. If I won’t go to them for advice, I shouldn’t take their criticism either.  Any advice for aspiring content creators?  Whatever you do, do it with love. Be a creative person led by compassion. This could mean you should surrender to your community at times, such as listening to what they are desperately asking you to share (this could be in whispers, so pay attention).  Define your audience and explore yourself. Create something that intersects both. Under-promise and overdeliver. Don’t try to be perfect, but strive for excellence in all you do.  No amount of inspiration can offset the absence of practice, so keep learning and growing in skill. You should also be a student and teacher.  You, and your content are two different things. If people don’t like your work, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you. Please give yourself grace to make mistakes. Rest. Support other creatives. If you find it difficult to talk about things online, start with a topic that is easy to speak about. You can build community first, and then start speaking about heavy topics.  Be patient. First create evidence of your awesome content. Then think about engagement. I just kept posting before I even thought about how much engagement I got.  Be willing to give. You’ve got to serve yourself and also serve your community. Remember to serve from a place of empowerment. Empower yourself first, strengthen your identity every day. Give (in terms of your time, skill, etc.) like you are royalty. Be generous.  What can we look forward to seeing in the near future from you?  Being bigger and better for sure. I do have good news! Stay in touch on Instagram (@nikitashuhumar) to see all the updates.


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