Social Justice

Why Progressives Need a Strong Republican Party—and What Republicans of Color Are Doing to Save It

A one-party democracy is no democracy at all. Meet the new generation of Republicans working to bring their party back to life and into the 21st century.

Marcus Harrison Green | May 16, 2016

It’s Not Really About Bathrooms: Why the Trans Fight is About Human Rights

What can counter the hate-filled narratives that are surrounding equal rights ordinance campaigns? The LGBT movement and its allies must amplify and center the voices of Transgender people.

Eesha Pandit | May 13, 2016

“They” and the Emotional Weight of Words

Even in the smallest of interactions—like how we use pronouns—we can create connections that allow us to challenge one another on our assumptions about gender.

Cole | May 11, 2016

Spring 2016: “What We Fear” Powerful Voice Winner Jazmyn Bryant

Read Jazmyn's essay, "A Serf in the Midst of Feudalism" about personally confronting racial injustice, and how necessary it is to act collectively for a reformed system.

May 8, 2016

Mental health

The Next Libyan Revolution Will Be Led by Women Wielding Words—Not Guns

“Soft power” gives communities words and tools to fight against violence, fear, and corruption and offers youth weapons of peace against an enemy that wants to drag them into war.

Alaa Murabit | May 5, 2016

Sustainable food and farming

After a Century In Decline, Black Farmers Are Back And On the Rise

These Black farmers don’t stop at healthy food. They’re healing trauma, instilling collective values, and changing the way their communities think about the land.

Leah Penniman | May 5, 2016

Why the Economy Should Stop Growing—And Just Grow Up

“How do we grow the economy?” is an obsolete question. Local initiatives across the world are looking for maturity instead as they rebuild caring, place-based communities and economies.

David Korten | May 4, 2016

Immigration Is Not Just a Latino Thing. Here’s Why We Need Black Leaders

For years, the immigrant rights movement has been largely led by Latinos. Today, Black leadership is playing an increasingly important role in the grassroots fight to change U.S. immigration policy.

Anshantia Oso | May 3, 2016

The Tiny House Village Holding a Family Together

A tiny house complex in Seattle shows what it can do for homeless families by helping one couple raise their baby together under one (very small) roof.

Viola Gaskell | May 2, 2016

Activism

Still Saying YES!—20 Years of Solutions Journalism

Like many startups, YES! Magazine began with an energized small team, an idea we thought important, and a basement office. Twenty years later, we're stronger than ever.

Sarah van Gelder | Apr 28, 2016

Beyond the NFL: A New Plan to Treat Brain Injuries For Women Escaping Abuse

Unlike players in the NFL, women who struggle with lifelong effects of concussions from abuse are rarely diagnosed. In Phoenix, scientists and advocates are working to change that.

Reagan Jackson | Apr 28, 2016

What Small Farms Need to Compete With Corporate Food

Most small farms have to follow the same rules as big corporate ones. In Maine, flexible food ordinances have increased the number of small farmers.

Kate Stringer | Apr 27, 2016

Happiness Inequality Is a Better Measure of Well-Being Than Income Inequality

Researchers say happiness reveals more about human welfare than standard indicators like wealth, education, health, or good government.

Kira M. Newman | Apr 24, 2016

Native rights

A Sanders-Clinton Combined Strategy Could Boost Native Americans’ Quality of Life

To meet multifaceted needs in Indian Country, Sanders and Clinton should combine their economic proposals.

Jennifer Biess | Apr 23, 2016

National Parks Are Used Mostly By Older White People. Here’s Why That Needs to Change

With its history of segregation, the Park Service has had a rocky relationship with race. But if youth of color don’t connect with the outdoors, who will be its future stewards?

Lornet Turnbull | Apr 22, 2016

Native rights

In Photos: The Indigenous Protectors of the World’s Most Sacred Places

All around the world, sites sacred to indigenous people are besieged by mining, tourism, and other threats. Meet the groups safeguarding and restoring them.

Christopher McLeod | Apr 21, 2016

Want to Hire a Worker-Owned Co-op? There’s an App for That

Coopify wants to bring a sense of community to the app-based booking world by connecting worker-owned cooperatives and other low-income task workers directly with consumers.

Michelle Stearn | Apr 20, 2016

Progressive Politics Don’t Feel So Inclusive When You’re Latino

Failing to understand the interests of 55 million Latinos has been one of the greatest political failures of our time. Latinos want to be heard on more than just immigration issues.

Roberto Lovato | Apr 18, 2016

What’s It Like to Be the New Kid and a Refugee?

Small town and suburban public schools become welcome centers as more immigrants are moving outside major metropolitan areas.

Jaclyn Zubrzycki | Apr 15, 2016

How to Talk With Your Kids about Donald Trump

The success of Trump’s candidacy isn’t just a political problem. It’s also a psychological and cultural one that needs to be addressed by parents.

Allison Briscoe-Smith | Apr 15, 2016

Activism | Citizens United

Politics on the Dance Floor: Reclaiming Queer and Black Roots in Electronic Dance Music

As the multibillion-dollar electronic music industry grows, artists and organizers are taking back the spaces and sounds of the marginalized people who started the genre.

Keith Barbalato | Apr 14, 2016