It’s clear that, as a Black woman, Noname is held to a different standard compared to her music industry peers. By Ebony Purks If you follow Chicago rapper Noname on Twitter, you’re probably familiar with the harassment thrown her way on a regular basis. Noname’s rap career took a unique turn around 2018 when she...
Tag: anti-capitalism
Post
If This Didn’t Push You Further To The Left, What Will?
There is no freedom under capitalism, white supremacy, and cisheteropatriarchy. If none of this pushes you further left, then what will? If last night’s political theater didn’t push you further to the left, then I don’t know what will. If it wasn’t the complete and utter lack of policy proposals, if it wasn’t the attempts...
Post
“You Play Too Much,” Pleasure Without Permission In A Capitalist Society
Play, pleasure, and rest aren’t considered vital to our livelihood because labor to maintain capitalism is framed as our fundamental purpose. By Kendriana Washington For centuries, free will and its playfulness have threatened conventionality and stirred fear in the seat of power. Shortsighted perceptions of play consider it immature, selfish, and rooted in distraction or...
Post
It’s Not Surprising That Ellen DeGeneres’ Show Is Rife With Abuse and Exploitation
Systems of oppression are breeding grounds for abuse and exploitation. The alleged abuses on DeGeneres’ show are not separate from those structures. In recent months, allegations of a toxic and exploitative work culture pervading The Ellen DeGeneres Show surfaced after dozens of former employees interviewed by Buzzfeed News came forward. Initially just whispers, a general...
Post
‘Train To Busan’ Teaches Us The Necessity of Empathy During A Pandemic
Train to Busan cautions us against what can happen when we don't care about other people, both personally and politically. It’s a reminder to actively practice empathy, especially when lives are at stake.
Post
Artists are Making The Case For Art As Good Propaganda
Art, particularly about systems of oppression, necessarily has to choose a side. After all, choosing not to speak out for those who are oppressed, is also choosing a side. By Ragini Srikrishna “All art is propaganda…” Upton Sinclair A full year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit us and while George Floyd was still alive, community...
Post
Let’s Not Be So Quick to Deify Angela Davis
We should be wary of deifying Angela Davis. Deification strips people (but particularly Black people, and especially Black women) of our humanity. “Why?” I’m like 99.9% sure this is what you, dear reader, thought as soon as you read this title. But, bear with me, as I promise it’s not what you think. To be...
Post
What Jameela Jamil Could Learn From Noname’s Approach To Social Justice
Maybe Jameela Jamil should join Noname’s Book Club. She might learn a thing or two. CW: mentions of eating disorders and fatphobia “FEMINIST-IN-PROGRESS,” reads Jameela Jamil’s Twitter bio. Her cover photo features her and Lizzo, so you can tell she is Very Serious about fat shaming. If you scroll through her feed, you will read...
Post
From Lebanon to Chile, Protesters Are Uniting Against The Ruling Class
In Chile, Iraq, and Lebanon, people have put aside their sectarian and ethnic differences to fight back against corrupt, capitalist systems of oppression. CW: mentions of police/ government brutality, mentions of sexual violence, death “Thawra! Thawra! Thawra!” As you watch videos of the Lebanese uprising, you can hear protesters call for revolution in the streets...
Post
You Haven’t Seen What Arlan Hamilton is Capable of Yet
“Who I work for, who I answer to is that Black woman in the back, who I need to reach with my voice.” You may have already heard of LA-based trailblazer Arlan Hamilton, the founder of boutique venture firm Backstage Capital who invested in more than 100 start-ups led by women, people of color and/or...