TobeZine - Amplifying Voices Through Zines

Representation in art, media, and literature is powerful. It shapes how we see ourselves and how others see us. For marginalized communities, authentic representation is especially important—it validates identities, tells the full story, and affirms a sense of belonging in a world that often erases or misunderstands them.

Zines have always felt like a home for these voices. As grassroots and accessible creations, zines give people the space to share their experiences, challenge stereotypes, and reclaim their narratives. They’re raw, real, and unapologetically personal.

At To Be Zine, I’m reminded of the power of these small but mighty publications. They amplify stories that need to be told and create connections through shared truths. To me, they’re a reminder that everyone’s story matters and deserves to be heard.

What stories have shaped how you see yourself? How do you want to be seen? Let’s celebrate the power of authentic voices, one story at a time.

The Power of Representation in Zines

Zines allow creators to bypass traditional media gatekeepers and take control of their own stories. For marginalized communities, this is especially important. Zines can:

• Reclaim Narratives: Challenge harmful stereotypes and misrepresentations by sharing stories from a lived, authentic perspective.

• Celebrate Diversity: Highlight the richness and variety of experiences within a community, breaking down the idea of a single story.

• Foster Solidarity: Build connections across different communities by sharing experiences of struggle, joy, and resilience.

• Educate and Inspire: Raise awareness about social issues, cultural heritage, and historical events often excluded from mainstream narratives.

Ideas for Zines About Identity and Representation

Here are some ideas to explore identity and representation in your zines:

1. Who I Am -Share a personal story about how your identity has shaped your life—whether through art, storytelling, or collage.

2. The Media We Deserve -Create a critique of current representation in media, pointing out gaps and envisioning what authentic representation could look like.

3. Cultural Celebration -Highlight aspects of your culture, traditions, or heritage that are meaningful to you and often overlooked in mainstream media.

4. Invisible Stories -Share the experiences of communities or individuals whose voices are often silenced or underrepresented.

5. Art as Resistance -Use art to express how marginalized identities resist erasure and create space for themselves.

6. Representation Wins - Celebrate moments where you felt seen or valued because of a book, movie, artwork, or public figure that represented your identity authentically.

7. Intersectional Experiences -Explore how overlapping identities (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, ability) shape your experiences in unique ways.

8. Letters to the Future -Write a letter to future creators or media-makers, sharing your hopes for representation in the years to come.

9. Zine Anthology - Collaborate with others from your community to create a collection of zines that reflect diverse perspectives and experiences.

10. Representation in Action - Share ideas or actions people can take to advocate for better representation in media, art, and literature.

    
    

A Call to Create

Representation matters because it shapes not just how others see us, but how we see ourselves. By creating and sharing zines that explore identity and representation, we can build a more inclusive, understanding, and affirming world.

—Annecy Báez

I am a writer, educator, psychotherapist, and mixed media artist passionate about creativity and healing. My book, My Daughter’s Eyes and Other Stories (2007), won the Mármol Prize for First Latina Fiction and explores themes of identity, resilience, and connection.

As an Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) facilitator and expressive arts educator, I create inclusive spaces where storytelling and creativity become tools for self-discovery and growth. My love for zines began in the 1990s when I discovered handmade magazines in East Coast bookstores. These zines, raw and full of personal stories, sparked a deep appreciation for their ability to amplify underrepresented voices.

Today, I teach zine-making as part of my Expressive Arts in Social Work Practice course at Touro University Graduate School of Social Work. I also lead workshops on zines, storytelling, and self-expression through To Be Zine.

I’m the author of My Daughter’s Eyes and Other Stories, and my poetry, fiction, and digital artwork have been featured in journals and anthologies like 4:33. Through zines, I aim to explore themes of belonging, identity, and representation, celebrating the power of authentic voices.

Thank you for joining me on this journey to amplify creativity and connection!