Desmond Tutu and the Power of Apology
YES! co-founder Sarah van Gelder reflects on her conversations with the late Rev. Desmond Tutu, who spoke with YES! for our 2015 “Make It Right” issue.
YES! Article archive
How Scholars Are Countering Well-Funded Attacks on Critical Race Theory
There is a long history of right-wing forces fighting against progressive educational curricula. Now, scholars like Robin D. G. Kelley are working to level the playing field against the moneyed political interests behind the attacks.
Black Farmers Are Rebuilding Agriculture in Coal Country
Jason Tartt saw opportunity in the terraced hillsides of his native West Virginia, both for restoring the land and for other Black farmers.
17 Months Later, Dixie Fire Survivors Are Experiencing a New Kind of Disaster
Getting the mail used to take 5 minutes. Now it's a 50-mile round trip that can take up to 4 hours due to the constant removal of hazardous trees.
The YES! Crossword: Wise Words
January’s puzzle takes a literary theme—are you up for the challenge?
Waiting at the Border, Migrants Lean on Tradition
Stitching mantas—tortilla covers—is a traditional craft among Latin American women. As migrants wait out the U.S. immigration bureaucracy in a Mexican border city, mantas are increasingly a lifeline.
A Year Later, Justice for the Insurrection Remains Elusive
White rage and violence in American society are age-old phenomena. It should not surprise us that the wheels of justice are moving so slowly to respond to last year’s D.C. riots.
The Jan. 6 Insurrection Showed Us the Limits of Polarization
Not all political polarization is bad—some of it is inevitable in a healthy democracy. But the U.S. is not a healthy democracy.
The Case for Slow Work
“Slow work is an exercise in doing less, and more aspirationally, doing nothing.”
Housing Justice for Oakland’s Black Community
Unaffordable housing is a major factor that drives Black Oaklanders out of the California city—so what can we do about it?
Call for Submissions: The Pleasure Issue
Send us your leads and pitches by Jan. 23.
Trustworthy News for a New Normal
For a new normal based on democratic principles, we need a vigilant and truly free press.
Climate Justice Through Divestment
“We are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance.”
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.
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.
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