May We Rage and Love Well in 2022
And may we remember that real change demands our active and sustained participation, even in the tender aches of living in the unknown.
YES! Article archive
In Boston, an Approach to Housing That Avoids Eviction
A major for-profit affordable housing provider hasn’t evicted a single tenant since early 2020. How did the company do it, and can its method be a model for other developers?
Garment Workers Organize to End Wage Theft
A historic victory over the fashion industry in California is creating ripples for global change.
Pushing Back Against Gentrification, One Home at a Time
A team of Portland activists is working to keep Black residents in their homes with maintenance and upgrades.
Where Do American Christmas Traditions Come From?
A brief history, including evergreen trees, presents, and Santa Claus.
Electric Solutions to Decarbonize Your Life
“Minimum Viable Planet” is a weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad. This week we look at how you can electrify your life for the planet.
Radicals Go Caroling: The Untold Story of Progressive Choirs
If you are wondering whether a political movement is effective, follow the music.
In Search of Sustainable Spirits
An alcohol aficionado on how spirits like bourbon fit into our food system.
California Forms a State-Level Reparations Task Force
The first of its kind, the nine-member task force will study and develop reparations proposals in order to start repairing the harm done to African American families and communities by U.S. policies.
10 Stories That Gave Readers Hope in 2021
Here at YES!, we’re fortunate to have windows into moments of hope, progress, and positive change.
Murmurations: A Winter Solstice Spell
adrienne maree brown reflects on the sacred rest that comes about with the winter solstice.
How Food Connects Us to Each Other
We asked you to share which foods make you feel connected to your roots. Your answers blew us away.
How (and Why) a Horror Show Soothed My Pregnancy Loss
For years, horror—a sort of safe danger I knew had an end—got me through some seriously traumatic situations.
Can a Major City Go Car-Free? Berlin Might Know Soon Enough
A group of activists in the German capital are pushing an ambitious plan to eliminate private vehicles in the city center, an area twice as big as Manhattan.
11 Books to Give and Share
YES! staff recommend books that influenced and entertained us this year.
Community Organizers Are Helping Immigrants Navigate COVID Misinformation
Lies, conspiracy theories, and quack cures about COVID-19 are all over the internet—and immigrants are particularly vulnerable. But concerted community efforts can combat it.
How One Czech City Is Supporting Its Migrant Population
The city of Brno’s growing migrant population had been mostly served by NGOs. It wasn’t enough. So the city brought the work in-house.
Community Efforts to Clean Up Contaminated Water in One California Town
“Lawmakers need to figure out better ways to balance the interests of industry with protecting people’s health.”
Incarcerated Seniors Deserve a Chance to Come Home for the Holidays
Years of “tough-on-crime” policies have resulted in growing numbers of elderly people remaining in prison for decades. It’s past time to enact policies that help them come home.
Why Are Women of Color in Academia Expected to Do Diversity Work?
Female faculty members of color are disproportionately called upon by both colleagues and students to do diversity, equity, and inclusion work—with no compensation for this labor.
Facial Recognition Tech Perpetuates Racial Bias. So Why Are We Still Using It?
This unregulated technology has served to enhance discriminatory practices by law enforcement and further endanger the lives of communities of color.
How an Inefficient but Resilient Food System Fed a Hospital—and a Community
“When we started our farm-to-hospital concept, we never could have anticipated a global pandemic, but the pandemic provided proof of concept.”
Talking (and Not Talking) About the Climate Emergency With My Kids
“Minimum Viable Planet” is a weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad. This week, how to talk to kids about climate change.
A Tribute to Indigenous Mothers by Their Indipino Children
Indigenous and Aboriginal women on Bainbridge Island had to hide their identity. Now, their adult children embrace it.
Why Public Art Is Good for Cities
Studies show that investments in public art can improve street safety, provide tourism and new jobs, and combat social isolation and anxiety.
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