Afghan Feminists Told Us War Wouldn’t Free Them
Afghan feminists told the world 20 years ago what to do (and what not to do) to help them. The U.S. didn’t listen, and today’s disastrous outcome is the inevitable result.
YES! Article archive
Opinion
If We Can Pass Big Infrastructure Bills, Why Can’t We Keep People in Their Homes?
We keep saying we can’t go back to the way we were before the pandemic. But we just might be doing that.
How to Prevent Crime Without Relying on Police
Crime is rising in America. But rather than rely on the knee-jerk response of increased policing, one violence-prevention expert offers his solutions on using a justice-lens to reduce crime.
Being Disabled Shouldn’t Mean Living in Poverty
Supplemental Security Income, a lifeline for the elderly and disabled, hasn’t been updated since the 1970s. Now is the time to close the gap.
How “Whitey on the Moon” Perfectly Captures Bezos’ Space Joy Ride
The themes of Gill Scott-Heron’s seminal poem written decades ago resonate more strongly than ever as billionaires like Jeff Bezos spend their money on lavish vanity projects.
When Less Is More
If we’re going to survive as a species and heal the Earth, we’ll need to drastically cut back on our consumption.
Decolonizing Our Dreams
Dreams aren’t practical, they are a vision of what is possible.
Shapeshifting: Discovering the “We” in Mixed-Race Experiences
For mixed-race people, especially those of us who have one White parent, the answers to questions of identity can be confusing to sort out.
The Fight to Protect Voting Rights Enters the Next Round
Congress members getting arrested is nothing new. It’s just the latest iteration of suppressing Black people’s voting rights.
How I Survived Prison With Native Spirituality and Mystery Science Theater 3000
A Native writer finds meaningful connections between his heritage and his love for a show about bad movies and goofy robots.
Hiking as Medicine
With a body weakened by chemotherapy, flat, low-elevation hikes have become my new obsession.
The Unsung Caribbean Roots of the Vegan Food Movement
While eating a plant-based diet is often presented as a white, millennial fad that accompanies gentrification, Black people have a long and rich tradition of plant-based eating.
Protesting Shouldn’t Be Banned at the Olympics
Athletes continue to be punished for speaking out at the Olympics. But that’s contrary to the celebration of intercultural connections that the Olympics are supposed to represent.
Does Every Vote Still Count?
Democrats don’t seem too worried about the current Republican war on voting rights. They should be.
Why the Shift from “Climate Change” to “Climate Emergency” Matters
“Minimum Viable Planet” is a weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad. This week, emergence through emergency.
On July 4, We Need to Prioritize Interdependence. Our Future Depends on It.
This fraught holiday is a time to hold the truth that we need each other to survive and thrive.
Finding Joy in the Struggle
Embracing joy as part of our everyday lives can expand our ability to heal ourselves and our communities.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Politi-Speak
If we want to bridge political divides, we can start by being mindful of the words we use.
America’s Recovery Depends on an Infrastructure of Care
It’s time to catch up with the global community in enacting a permanent national paid leave policy and other caregiving supports.
Rethinking Masculinity: Fathers as Caregivers
To care for their disabled children, the fathers I met had to grow beyond the usual ideas of “what men do.”
Why Juneteenth Matters for White People, Too
The same ethical failing that allowed White people to enslave Africans continues today with indifference to continued Black suffering. It’s time to say “enough.”
Juneteenth Reminds Us That Reparations Are Due
Observances and paid holidays alone can’t fix the problems caused by White supremacy.
Don’t Tell Me to Despair About the Climate: Hope Is a Right We Must Protect
There is no point at which we can no longer strive to make the future better than it otherwise would be.
My Suffering Is Not for Sale
We must redistribute wealth and not look at it as a favor, but a call to action
Calling Foul on Laws Targeting Trans Athletes
Exclusionary laws banning transgender youth from team sports are not only unsportsmanlike, they’re also rooted in falsehoods, says this trans journalist.
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