Building Bridges Without a Foundation for Peace Won’t Work
We shouldn’t reach out to the other side just for the sake of talk or “unity.” We need to build a safe and just society for all of us.
YES! Article archive
Democracy
What Other States Can Learn from Georgia’s Historic Elections
Organization, outreach, money, and meeting people where they are is the key to changing political winds.
The Deaf Women Suffragists Left Out of History Books
Despite harsh, discriminatory conditions, countless deaf women fought with brilliance and dedication for personal and professional recognition, including for the right to vote.
The War on Voting Reaches Home
The long struggle to secure voting rights enters a new stage, as Republicans across the country try to strip protections from state laws.
The Significance of Uncle Tom in the 21st Century
This trope will persist as long as anti-Blackness persists.
Ah, Sweet Normalcy: Obstruction and Dysfunction
Initial progress in Biden’s first weeks may be overshadowed by rising obstructionism, and timidity in his own party.
A Tale of Two Insurrections
In the wake of an insurrection, reconstruction has always been an optimistic act of rebuilding, reimagining, and recreating our country.
The Hill We Climb
The youngest inaugural poet encouraged us to own our history and repair our nation.
We Need New Ideas to Resolve America’s Divisions
With one political party standing in support of a violent insurrection, we need better solutions than just “reconciliation.”
Trump’s Legal Problems Are Only Just Beginning
Multiple investigations at the state and federal level—plus private lawsuits—await Trump in private life.
Unity Is Impossible Without Accountability
President Biden’s inaugural address focused on bringing the nation together. But that won’t happen if “unity” means we revert to the way things used to be.
How Nonviolent Activists Helped Oppose the Coup
Activists prepared for months, expecting Trump to steal the election. They were right, and he failed.
The Year of Good Trouble
“Minimum Viable Planet” is a weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad.
Was Impeaching President Trump “Pointless Revenge”?
Not if it sends a message to future presidents.
From Nazism to Democracy: Lessons from Germany
The U.S. finds itself in a different place and time than postwar Germany, but the challenge is similar.
From Anxiety to Authoritarianism
The human “fight or flight” response gives demagogues like Trump a tool for political manipulation. But we could replace oppression with a system of care.
This Insurrection Demands Justice
We can’t afford to wait 13 days until Trump is gone. The time to act is now.
This Is America
This country was founded on violence and desecration. If you want it to be better, prove it.
How Youth Turned the Tide in the 2020 Election
It wasn’t just new voters that made this election the biggest ever: Youth turned out in droves to work on campaigns behind the scenes, too.
Georgia Is Our Future—and That’s a Good Thing
Georgia’s political shift could be an early sign of the whole country's shift toward equality and justice.
Biden Won. Now Comes the Hard Part
The electoral college has affirmed Biden’s election. But he’s inheriting a country in crisis that will test his administration in a way we haven’t seen since the Civil War.
Should This Article Be Trusted?
On the importance of teaching critical media literacy.
Native Leadership for the U.S. Department of the Interior
With Deb Haaland at the helm, the department may finally start keeping its promises to Native Americans.
For Asian Americans, Civic Participation Is Visibility
Organizing around the Census and the election amplified the voice and visibility of Asian Americans in Texas. And visibility is the key to creating belonging in a robust democracy.
Why Georgia Is Now on Everyone’s Mind
Activists in the Peach State showed us how local organizing can yield results. Can the rest of the nation follow their example?
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