things to read: june

Happy Pride Month! There's a lot going on in the world and here in the u.s. Pride Month is a special time for me as a queer person. It's a month full of joy, parties, and fantastic music. But even if you're not queer (try it though), Pride Month has something to offer you. Pride marks a time when a group of people, oppressed and persecuted by an unfair state, fought back. There are many moments, many fights for civil rights, throughout our history. I'm grateful to the millions of people who led or took part in those fights. I'm here to support the millions more people who are doing the same today.

I've got a bunch of deadlines this month; this week I'm sharing a few things I read and enjoyed recently.

As Trans People in Dallas, All We Have Are Each Other by Lisa Laman

What it's like to live in a state that rejects you but you're not leaving.

Our wider world includes wretched politicians demonizing trans people to terrify constituents into becoming loyal voters, but this same place also contains these magnificent trans folks who make life worth living.

I know these truths in the deepest parts of my bones. Yet terror and catastrophizing thoughts still grip my mind whenever I’m alone in my apartment with only the latest RFK screed or news about some new transphobic Texas legislation to keep me company. I go from loneliness-induced anguish to Café Brazil joy again and again. It’s like I’m on a rollercoaster swerving from “we’re cooked” to “we’re so back” at 160 miles per hour.

You're a Bunch of Cowards! by Hamilton Nolan

One of the most triumphant moments I felt last year was when Tim Walz started calling republicans weird. This bunch of doofs may be fascists, but they're still doofs! Don't forget that they were doofs first.

[I]f you are looking for negative role models for masculine virtue, there is an easy way to find them. They are employed by ICE. They are employed by the Department of Homeland Security. They are employed by the sprawling and unaccountable security state, and right now, they are out on the streets of our cities, snatching up mothers and infiltrating elementary schools. There is much to be said about the political processes that deployed these men, and the chain of socioeconomic failures that placed our nation in the position we find ourselves. But there is another important thing to be said directly to the men who go to work every day and don the tactical vests and facemasks and act like the willing gestapo agents of our idiot political leader: You guys are fucking cowards.

Standing Against the War on Immigrants: A Call to Action by Jess Ayden Li

Healing Equity United is a consulting firm founded by Fiona Oliphant and Jess Ayden Li. Their great newsletter offers trainings, consulting services, and links to essays like this one.

Obama also reminded us of a crucial truth: there’s nobody coming to save us; we must save ourselves. His words ring especially true today. We cannot wait for perfect leaders or ideal circumstances. We must stand for what we believe in, refuse to bow to fear, and become the leaders our communities desperately need.

Mutual Aid, the Commons, and the Revolutionary Abolition of Capitalism by Crimethinc

This deep-dive on mutual aid begins by distinguishing it from charity. It offers critiques not just on charity's role in capitalism but on mutual aid itself. There's lots to chew on in this one; I've changed the quote below three times!

At its best, mutual aid transforms us rather than simply meeting our needs.¹ It should expand our notions of what is possible and shift the ways we prioritize where we focus our energy, enabling us to solve problems collectively. Rather than contending for handouts, we need to build commons that enable us to thrive through collective practices.

Learning Synths by Ableton

And here's a fun one!

On this website, you’ll learn the basics of using synthesizers (or synths). No prior experience or equipment is required; you’ll do everything right here in your browser.

Wishing you all a Happy Pride and powerful resistance ahead.