Counterstream Media
Shifting the Power Dynamics of Storytelling
As more and more of us reckon with the limitations of legacy media, we’re interested in supporting a dynamic and diverse media landscape that centers rigorously researched and community-led storytelling. In the face of racist algorithms and technocratic institutions, investing in multiple media projects is critical.
It’s in this context that Counterstream Media has emerged as a powerful platform for uplifting stories of environmental justice and systemic change. As Counterstream says in their vision statement, “we envision a future where the mainstream environmental narrative centers the experiences of Indigenous communities and people of color who are most impacted by—and best positioned to solve—environmental injustice.”
Inspired by this perspective, Loam co-editors Kailea and Kate connected with Counterstream Co-Founder Shilpi Chhotray to delve deeper into multicultural media and narrative multiplicity.
Loam: Counterstream Media, previously People over Plastic, is a multicultural media hub centered on environmental justice. First off, we love the name and notion of what Counterstream elicits. Could you speak more to why you chose this new name, and what sets this work apart from other media platforms?
Shilpi: Thank you, and I'm so glad it resonates with the Loam team. We really wanted our name to symbolize resistance and disruption and the power of narratives that center the voices of communities and individuals most impacted by environmental and social injustices. The name Counterstream reflects our ongoing commitment to challenging these mainstream narratives that are often dominated by whiteness.
Unlike traditional media platforms that often perpetuate a single story, we aim to amplify diverse perspectives from communities that have been historically excluded in public discourse, public policy and mainstream ways of thinking. We're not only sharing stories, we're also shifting the power dynamics of storytelling. We believe when you change the narrative, you change the world.
A clear example of this is the ongoing coverage of Palestine, where the narrative has been overwhelmingly one sided, especially in Western legacy media platforms like the New York Times. So at Counterstream, we center Palestinian voices. We're committed to uncovering and sharing the stories that challenge these biased narratives, while also standing in solidarity with voices that have been silenced.
Spread from Counterstream Media's Peace & Riot Zine
Loam: Shifting the power dynamics of storytelling is such a powerful point. Could you bring us further into the analysis that Counterstream holds in relation to systemic change? How does focusing on the stories that have been silenced and or sidelined affect transformation?
Shilpi: That's a great question. And [that desire to affect transformation] was one of the main reasons we wanted to pivot to a platform that centers systemic change. Because we can't create systemic change without directly addressing the narratives that uphold the status quo.
As you both know, mainstream media often neglects the lived experiences of frontline communities. By focusing on these often silenced perspectives, we're challenging the existing power structures and bringing attention to the root causes of these issues.
On a personal anecdote, I came into the work of media justice after spending many years as a plastic pollution activist working alongside frontline communities all over the world. One significant shift we focused on is moving the conversation beyond plastics recycling and saving marine life, which is obviously important, to also addressing how plastics impact human health, particularly through toxic petrochemicals and incinerator facilities.
This is why we were originally called People over Plastic. I think our analysis is powerful because it's rooted in the understanding that storytelling is a tool for change. It's not enough just to raise awareness. We have to actually galvanize action on the ground.
Loam: Although this work is focused on media making and narrative change, we love that one of your programs Solidarity Rides is aimed at bringing people together in person. Could you share more about the origin of Solidarity Rides, what takes place during one, and what you're trying to strategically achieve through them?
Convening at Food Literacy Project, whose mission is to see young people transforming their communities through food, farming, and the land. Photography by Jon Cherry for Counterstream Media.
Shilpi: I'm so glad you're a fan of Solidarity Rides! These Rides are a beautiful embodiment of our mission to bridge the gap between media and grassroots activism. The idea was inspired by our executive director, Michael McKenzie, who is at the heart of it. He's a community strategist based out of Houston, Texas, and he drew from the legacy of the Freedom Riders of the 1960s. As someone who spent a lot of time with narrative strategy, he was moved to create a counter-narrative to the concept of “toxic tours,” which tour through a community to see all the pollution that they're suffering with.
Labeling these communities as toxic is something we had a fundamental concern with. At Counterstream, we believe no community is toxic. Rather, it’s the systems and structures that oppress these communities that are what need to be addressed. During these Solidarity Rides, participants get on a bus to visit significant sites of environmental and social justice struggles, and engage directly with communities affected. But the Rides are also about empowering solutions that are led by these communities.
Loam: What an important origin story in terms of creating a reframe to the toxic tours. We love the simplicity of a bus ride where there is the opportunity to talk story with community members along the way.
You also serve as the Executive Producer of the Counterstream Media podcast, which is now in its fifth season. As Executive Producer, you have interviewed countless organizers, changemakers and innovators who are tackling various issues related to these broad, overarching themes of justice and social movements. What are some patterns that you have seen emerge in terms of what people are reporting from the ground? What is working, and where do we need to consider pivoting?
Shilpi: That's such an important question! I can't believe we're now in production for our fifth season of the People over Plastic podcast, which is listened to in 50 countries now. It's gotten some incredible reach, which is exciting! But one of the most striking patterns I've observed is the resilience and creativity of frontline communities that go way beyond the talking points of the mainstream media outlets that tend to focus on doom and gloom. In some cases, there are a lot of wins in frontline organizing that we just don't hear about. So despite the systemic barriers that a lot of these community organizers face, there is a profound commitment to finding solutions that are not just “sustainable”, but really rooted in justice and equity. And again, I think this is what's being missed from the mainstream dialogue.
We often talk about climate tech, which is really the wild, wild west, coming to save the day. But these are not solutions that are grounded in equity and justice, and they seldom incorporate the interests and perspectives of frontline communities. I also think that there is this growing recognition within our spaces that environmental justice can't be separated from social and racial justice.
In terms of where we need to pivot, I do think that there is a resource allocation and support issue. So many frontline organizations, grassroots orgs, even media entities like ours, you know, we're doing incredible work with limited resources. And so there's a real need for more substantial, sustained investment in these communities and projects. There also remains a challenge in translating the awareness surrounding environmental injustice to concrete policy changes and actions at the local and global levels.
To close, I want to leave readers with the power of community-led media and how it’s instrumental in shifting the narrative toward a future where justice and equity are at the forefront. Thank you for this conversation, and for being such dedicated partners in the work of anti-racist narrative transformation.