My mom extended an invite to join 518 Rainbow Hunt in the overwhelming beginning weeks of the Coronavirus. After clicking the link, the browser opens to a page full of color; bringing out the best and brightest of humanity via DIY rainbows on front-facing windows. After 20 minutes of scrolling, I wondered who was responsible for this community masterpiece and found the admin, Kristyn Dayter. Kristyn, a 31 year old dental assistant and new mom from Scotia, New York, created the original Facebook page. She wanted to give kids some visual hope during the lockdown. What started as an inclusive neighborhood art project has expanded into a unifying movement.
Gaining 1,000 members in its first day of creation, and 20,000 in the first week, 518 Rainbow Hunt has become an international sensation in over 10 countries. Families make rainbow paintings and hunt down other creative ideas. Now it’s been a few weeks and there are an active 109,000 members and growing; naturally, people are getting imaginative with their spare time and resources.
This is a difficult time for families all around the world. Millions of people are out of work or forced to work at home; others risk their health every day in attempt to put food on the table and to keep our country going. Doctors’ orders are to stay home, and that’s what a majority of people are doing. Within weeks of the viruses’ arrival, it has engulfed the U.S. in mass hysteria; as if it were on a war path to destroy faith. Lucky for the members, 518 Rainbow Hunt is giving some much-needed hope.
Almost immediately after sending Kristyn a message inquiring about an interview, she replied that she’d be happy to chat and share some answers:
“I started the group after seeing young families in my area making rainbows for their windows following school closures. It is a way to show unity while remaining socially distant during this Covid-19 pandemic. I thought it would be great to create a group and a hashtag to organize all the rainbows in one place; which I thought would be easier to share and spread the word to get more people on board.
I created a Google map so everyone could map where the rainbows are located so others could go out hunting for them! So many creative ideas and positive vibes have come from this “movement” as I like to call it! It’s really bringing people together while being apart. I see a lot of people also just really enjoy scrolling through the photos submitted to help brighten their days. There’s new members and new rainbow art daily!
I started the group originally for my hometown but included 518, as in our area code. But it went viral and has reached all around the world. There are people in New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Germany; the list goes on!”
When asked where the idea of using rainbows came from, Kristyn humbly replied:
“The idea of hanging rainbow [flags] in unity was being done in Italy already during the Coronavirus pandemic. They were [in] quarantine before us.”
Italy has had one of the highest death tolls worldwide from this pandemic. In spite of their losses, Italy’s had one of the most unified responses to the crisis; influencing countries across the world. Italian and rainbow flags have been famously seen hanging from balconies; blowing in the wind against the backdrop of songs of unity sung by the many isolated families in quarantine. Their slogan became, “Andrà tutto bene”, translated to – everything will be alright – keeping heads, hearts and hope higher.
Rainbows have often been a source of hope for people who have felt isolated, like the LGBTQ community. In 1978, Gilbert Baker designed the rainbow flag ; his goal was to reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ community. To many, the rainbow flag is best known as a symbol of pride; but also a reminder of the importance and need for justice, equality and change.
Initially, I was hesitant to join the group; fearful that it would be a stampede of judgemental moms discouraging me from joining. However, it’s proven to be a welcoming space for the LGBTQ community. People from around the world have posted and acknowledged their identity in their post; their honesty was met with acceptance, words of affirmation and validation. That kind of support is a direct reflection of the leader. Kristyn, considering all possibilities of marketing, said to me, “I’m trying to get a hold of Ellen DeGeneres! I think she’d love this!”
The rainbow flag has always embodied a symbol of hope, in my eyes. Stumbling upon a hand-crafted rainbow– delicately placed in someone’s window– I feel a sense of solidarity with them. One block away from my quarantine den, are two beautiful rainbows. Finding them makes me feel like my partner and I are welcomed; and that they, too, are for a bright and unified future.
In response to the final question, Kristyn responded, “To anyone who has not joined the worldwide movement yet, create a rainbow and display it!
Ultimately, there is one thing connecting us all: we are individually fighting our way through this alone, together. Like every storm, this too shall pass; yet without the storm, the rainbow doesn’t exists. Rainbows have always been a sign of love and peace. Now everyone can join a collection of togetherness, progress, positivity and history.
Featured Image by Shanna Taub (@fuegnog on Instagram)
Photos from Kristyn Dayter and the 518 Rainbow Hunt
Edited by Colin Stockkdale
Great post, I love how colourful they are and what they signify
Us too, thanks so much! Stay safe!