Peek Inside the Black Lives Issue
We are proud to introduce the Fall 2020 edition of YES!, the Black Lives issue. Since the police killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, millions of people across
YES! Article archive
Vigilante Violence Is an American Tradition
Research suggests vigilantism doesn't arise from an absent or weak government, but rather when the very principles that make up a government and its people themselves seem to be changing.
How the Police Killing of a Black Brazilian Teen Sparked a Movement
The police killing of João Pedro Mattos Pinto, a 14-year-old Black Brazilian in Rio de Janeiro, unmasked the scope of police brutality amid a pandemic and led to an unprecedented court decision.
The Key to Achieving Gender Equality in Tech
The tech field failed a 25-year challenge to achieve gender equality by 2020. But the shift can start with a culture change.
How Families Can Support Kids’ Mental Health During the Pandemic
Regardless of schooling situation, these four strategies belong in every child's mental health toolkit.
How to Save the Sea: Lessons from an Italian Fishing Community
How one small stretch of coastline went from a hotbed of drug smuggling to a model of ecological restoration.
The Climate Window
“Minimum Viable Planet” is a weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad.
Where the Post Office Goes, So Goes America
Trump’s war on the post office is primarily about cheating to win re-election. But it’s also part of the Republican Party’s long-term plan to destroy government.
What Women’s Suffrage Owes to Indigenous Culture
The example of gender equality in Haudenosaunee society gave 19th-century White women some big ideas.
COVID-19 Lockdown Demonstrates How Economy-Wide Transformation Can Halt Climate Change
The blip in emissions will not have a longterm impact unless we invest in sustainable solutions on a grand scale.
Historically, White Americans Have Failed to See Racism as a Systemic Issue. Is That Changing?
After the civil rights movement, White people in the U.S. were still widely uncommitted to systemic solutions and policies to support racial equality. Although attitudes have shifted since, it’s not enough for transformative change.
Lack of Leadership Worsened the Pandemic, Not Young People
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, politicians from both parties are scapegoating youth—just as they’ve done before with crime and drugs.
This Native Tribe’s Response to COVID-19 Is Working—and Addressing Another Community Problem
The Eastern Band of Cherokees is applying lessons from the pandemic to help them fight addiction in their community.
How Montana Is Cleaning Up Abandoned Oil Wells
Oil wells pollute even after the drilling and pumping stop, so this work could help prevent thousands of tons of potent greenhouse gases from contaminating air and water.
Young Black Voters May Be the Key to a Biden Victory—If They Vote For Him
Surveys show that, rather than reflexively voting Democratic, young Black voters are pessimistic any Democrat can make a difference.
Kamala Harris and the Legacy of Black Women Running for President
Shirley Chisholm and other Black women have set their eyes on the Oval Office for 50 years. Now it’s within reach.
How Environmental Organizations Can Cultivate Real Inclusivity
It’s one thing to recognize systemic racism; it’s another to actually do something about it.
How to Find and Support Black-Owned Businesses
If you’re focused on fighting systemic racism and want to put your money where your mouth is, here are 7 ways to find Black businesses.
Hip-Hop Continues a Protest Tradition That Dates Back to the Blues
Hip hop artists have protested police violence in their music for decades, just like Southern blues and jazz artists did in the late 1800s.
Police Violence Meets Spiritual Resistance in the Struggle Over DAPL
An appeals court overruled the shutdown of DAPL, pending a full environmental review. The fight against a pipeline that provoked unprecedented resistance continues.
Do Mountain Forests Hold the Answers for Climate Science?
As fire and disease move up the mountains, researchers race to find answers.
How Black Photographers Are Shaping the Movement for Black Lives
Three photographers offer perspectives on documenting the moment: “The revolution needs to be irresistible, right?”
Advocating for Climate Justice as an Act of Love
“Minimum Viable Planet” is a weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad. This week, what “I love lamp” has to do with climate communications.
How Cities Are Keeping People in Their Homes
Tenant-protection policies are spreading across California in response to pandemic-related housing insecurity.
How Urban Planning Keeps Cities Segregated—and Maintains White Supremacy
Across the U.S., racial segregation was not the byproduct of urban planning but often its intention. Minneapolis, one of the most liberal cities in the country, is no exception.
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