About the Author and Blog
Updated June 18, 2021
Webs of Rebellion on Facebook (strictly blog-related)
Webs of Rebellion/Taryn on Twitter (mix of blog-related and personal)
Taryn on Instagram (personal) Now, more than ever, it's important to make our voices heard. Though I try to do this often on social media, there are things I want to write about in such detail that I can't fit them into a Facebook post. I decided to create a place of my own online where what I write is limitless -- and public. My hope is that my words can help inspire, be thought-provoking, and maybe even make an impact on someone or change a perspective. I would say that one of the main concepts of my blog is bringing different perspectives to light. This blog will be mostly focused on activism and related topics, and occasionally lifestyle topics such as mental health or personal relationships. I will be sharing my unique perspectives on what it's like to be a Muslim convert, on the asexual spectrum, a front-line healthcare worker, childfree, and other unconventional aspects of my personality and identity -- with occasional fun stuff thrown in, such as reviews of favorite or least-favorite media. So allow me to introduce myself. I go by Taryn or the nickname Web Spinner. I'm an emergency medical technician and I work in an emergency room somewhere in the Phoenix metro area. Prior to the ER, I worked with the homeless, mentally ill, and addicted populations for several years. I'm a progressive Muslim woman, an activist, a singer, a volunteer, a supporter of the arts, and an ally to all marginalized communities. I've always had a desire to help people, and a tendency to support the underdog. I also like gothic fashion and other alternative aesthetics, and am known for my love of spiders, hence the design and title of my blog. I'm quite the unconventional woman, but a very authentic one. For most of my life, I had never been "into politics" and had certainly never pictured myself getting involved in political activism. And yes, I absolutely recognize my own privilege that allowed me to choose to ignore politics when others do not have that choice. But one thing I have always believed in is being kind to others, treating others equally and with respect. It pains me to see others being mistreated. When it got to a point where we, as a country, were actually seriously considering Donald Trump as president after all of his racist and sexist rhetoric, bragging about sexual assault and mocking a disabled reporter -- and so much more -- it made me realize that things were getting too bad for me to stay silent anymore. Staying silent is a choice I will never make again. Refugees in particular became a group of people near to my heart. They were the most demonized group in the media at that time, and it made me sick to the stomach. I wanted to do something to help them and show them that not all Americans are hateful and unwelcoming. So I began volunteering with refugees in 2016, and have had some of the best experiences working face-to-face with them (prior to COVID-19). The activist side of me was born when Trump was inaugurated and almost immediately issued the first refugee ban or "Muslim ban." The news came right after I had gotten home from volunteering with one of my refugee clients, a very sweet Iraqi Muslim man. I was so angry and sad about it that I couldn't sleep for days. I was more than enthusiastic to attend my first protest at that point. Since then, I've made it a point to stand up, speak up, and protest for not only refugees, but for black lives, trans lives, DACA recipients, Jewish communities, and anyone else who's in danger of violence or having their human rights stripped away. The same night as my first protest, I also went to a mosque for the first time after being interested in Islam for a while. It was a religious tradition that I had mostly begun studying because of how demonized it had become, as well as simply having an interest in learning about other cultures and beliefs. I didn't believe any of the lies circulating about Muslims, and I wanted to become more educated so that I could help educate others. The more I studied it, the more at home I felt. I began wearing a hijab sometimes, and eventually said the shahada (the declaration of faith) and officially became Muslim myself. Beginning in February 2020, after years of being "different," I realized I was not straight, and not gay, but asexual and biromantic. That was the beginning of yet another self-discovery journey that I hope to share and bring awareness to. There are a lot of different types of privilege that exist, and some people get upset if you point out the fact that they have privilege. But most of us do have an advantage over someone else in at least one category, some people more than one. I don't have the privilege of being wealthy, Christian, or a man, but I do "blend in" well even in the areas where I'm in the minority. I only wear a hijab part-time, so when I take it off, you can't tell I'm a minority religion. I'm LGBTQIA, but since I currently want to stay single and most of my past relationships have been with men, if I didn't tell you, you wouldn't know I'm not straight. My skin is pale, and though I'm tomboyish, I am (and give the appearance of) a cis woman. And I know that it's my responsibility to not only recognize the privileges I do have, but to use them to make my voice heard. I also view it as my responsibility to educate, and bring awareness to the aspects of myself that are not as widely accepted, so that others who come after me might have it a little easier. You can call me radical, leftist, antifa. I take them all as compliments. Even being called terrorist doesn't offend me, because, while I am clearly not a terrorist in any way, it's gotten to the point that if a right-winger calls you a terrorist, you must be doing something right. It's a word they (incorrectly) use for anyone who poses a threat to the status quo. The people mean more to me than the establishment, and if that makes me a radical, I will wear that label proudly. On a more personal level, my biggest interest is music, in particular European heavy metal and darkwave, as well as oldies and other genres; but I will always be a metalhead first and foremost. I am well-known for my passion for my favorite bands (such as Battle Beast and Kamelot) and for always being in the front row of concerts. Other things I'm a fan of include the theatre, obviously writing, art of all kinds, paranormal/ghost hunting, Star Wars, dancing, martial arts, gothic fashion/home decor/DIY projects. I am also known for my long hair, my unexpected obsession with Devo, and my intense love for the most-hated Star Wars movie. As well as its director (I will protect Rian Johnson with my life). I'm a highly passionate person, and the people I enjoy most in life are those who are equally intense.