The Origin of Black History Month—and Why It Still Matters
While the roots of Black History Month began 94 years ago, there is still much inspiration and guidance to be gleaned from the past, says the Secretary of the Smithsonian.
YES! Article archive
Social Justice
Black and Brown Trans People Have a New Place to Call Home in New York City
A building offering affordable housing now stands as a symbol of trans self-reliance and resilience.
A Supreme Symbol of Hope: The Life of Paul Robeson
A new comic depicts the life of the legendary Black singer, star, and activist.
Not Just Angry White Men: White Women Stormed the Capitol, Too
The women who took part in the siege of the Capitol are part of a long history of women’s participation in extremist violence, both in the United States and abroad.
The Capitol Insurrection and White Supremacist Infiltration of US Police
There is a long history of racism in U.S. policing. For all Americans to be truly safe, it is important to weed out White supremacy, especially in the institution sworn to protect us all.
To Dismantle Tyranny, We Need Racial Integration
Fifty years after the civil rights movement, our country remains overwhelmingly segregated and overwhelmingly unjust.
Native Americans on Police Response to Capitol Insurrection
“No way would Black or Brown people be treated that way had they attacked a symbol of our democracy.”
A World Without the Death Penalty
A veteran activist describes the international movement to abolish capital punishment.
There Are Better Ways to Educate a Child
The pandemic is traumatizing students. It must be a wakeup call for us to change how we educate.
Rewriting the Story of Race in Appalachia
Meet the podcast host challenging what we think we know about Black Appalachians.
2020 Has Shown Us the Way Forward
As you spend time at the end of this year reflecting and setting goals for 2021, here’s one to consider.
Anatomy of a Protest Movement
A three-part reported series identifying the infrastructure, challenges, and successes of Portland's sustained protests in defense of Black lives.
What Comes Next for Portland’s Protests?
After more than 100 days of continual demonstrations, protesters in Portland are looking to the future—and each other—for ways to sustain their movement for Black lives.
How Portland Protesters Keep Each Other Safe
“Protesting ultimately isn’t safe and we’re not trying to say that it is,” says one Portland street medic. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t take care of each other.”
Inside Portland’s Autonomous Protest Movement
Portland, Oregon’s five months of ongoing protests in support of Black lives are sustained by a vast, multifaceted, and ever-evolving network of activists, organizers, and mutual aid.
A House That Love Built—Even With a Border Wall in the Backyard
Dolores and Rogelio navigate the political contrasts and conflicts of life in El Paso, Texas.
The Dutch Tradition of Black Pete and the Need for a Global Reckoning of Blackface
The ambivalence surrounding Black Pete’s status in the Netherlands mirrors an international unease about the the function and significance of blackface images and performances globally.
Reckoning With Slavery Requires Access to Records of the Past
What a revolt’s archives tell us about who owns history.
In ‘Gather,’ Indigenous Food Sovereignty Is on the Menu
A new film follows food activists seeking to restore salmon, buffalo, and the nourishing legacy of Native cultures.
Unions and LGBTQ Workers Could Be a Powerful Marriage
History has shown that people-power is one of the best ways to advance rights and win protections, especially when the courts are unreliable.
My Grandparents’ Redlining Story Shows Why We Must Do Better
As we face the impact of COVID-19, now is an opportune time to create equitable housing policies that can close the yawning gaps created by racial inequity.
When White People Talk About Their Country Being Stolen
A Native poet takes us back to a moment of liberal outrage after the last election.
This City Makes Sure No One Goes Hungry—Even During COVID
Nestled on a wide plateau surrounded by the Espinhaço Mountains in southeastern Brazil is the city of Belo Horizonte, roughly 275 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. The city of
So You Want to Document a Protest? Here’s What to Consider First
Seasoned community journalists have some words of wisdom before you decide to livestream your next protest.
A Way Out of a Dark Past
Can Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation efforts help the U.S. with its own reckoning?
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