CN: Extensive discussion of anti-blackness, white supremacy, and specific instances of institutionally sanctioned racial oppression and violence; brief discussion of anti-LGBT sentiments and other intersecting forms of oppression . White Supremacy is so insidious that even if you’ve spent years working to eliminate anti-black beliefs from your subconscious, there will always be more hiding under the false pretense of reason and logic. Denny Upkins is here to keep us on our toes, make sure we …Read More
Western Media and their Continually Racist Depictions of Africa
CN: extensive discussion of media-based manifestations of racism, and the impact of the pandemic; general discussion of the myth of “white genocide”; mention of 45. I had been aware for a while that the portrayal of Africa that most folks from the US encounter in encyclopedias and on documentaries is heavily influenced by white supremacy and white savior narratives. But despite this awareness, I am not immune to the effects of modern media on …Read More
The Unique Power of Digital Organizing
CN: general discussion of past elections and the pandemic. As someone who deals with chronic pain and chronic illness, many versions of “boots on the ground” activism have not been very accessible to me, and unfortunately, I have intense anxiety around making phone calls, so volunteering for things like phone banking or calling representatives were also out, for me. I also know I am not the only person dedicated to social justice work that is …Read More
Yopp Updates & New Merch!
Today I’m happy to release to you a brand new original merch design with several color variations! Regardless of whether you rely on one of these pups to keep you safe and healthy, every day of your life, or if you’ve only ever watched them from afar, wishing desperately that you could pet them but knowing they are busy working so you shouldn’t; everyone knows that service doggos are the best doggos. Having this phrase …Read More
Interview with Alice Wong: Engaging with Stories of Disabled People
CN: general discussion of disability, and ableism; brief discussion of racism, chronic illness, the pandemic, and eugenics. Today’s article is a first for Yopp: We have our very first interview! The wonderful Denny Upkins had the opportunity to connect with Alice Wong, an amazing disability activist who I’ve admired from afar for several years, and we are lucky enough to get to read the results of that connection. If you’ve been looking for some disability …Read More
You Are Not Alone: How to Respond to Escalating Fascism
CN: extensive discussion of the escalation and resistance of fascism; mention of 45, suicide, impact of the pandemic, police brutality and police corruption. Kella here to give the context for today’s guest post, which is a little unusual. If your social circles are progressive in the same way mine are, then you’ve heard warnings about the continuing escalation of fascism, and the threat of violent backlash if Trump loses the presidential election. According to The …Read More
What Is Plurality/Multiplicity?
CN: extensive discussion of plurality, dissociative disorders, mental health, and the impact of trauma, ableism; brief discussion of amnesia. For every type of marginalization you encounter, there will be an invisible barrier to understanding the humanity of those who face structural disenfranchisement that you do not. Even beyond gaining the knowledge that these structural inequities exist and have been forced upon an innocent group of people, we still carry with us a tendency to view …Read More
Yes, Thank you I Have Heard of Yoga
Today I have TWO new merch designs for you that are now available for purchase on our Redbubble store! Both of these designs are 100% original and I created them myself! “Yes, Thank you I have tried yoga please suggest literally anything else” accompanied by a rainbow shooting star reminiscent of “the more you know!” is for anyone with a chronic condition or illness who is just really done with having yoga suggested as a …Read More
Everything You Need to Know About Voting
CN: general discussion of recent and historical voter suppression; brief mention of the pandemic, fascism, and climate change. If voting didn’t have a real impact, politicians wouldn’t work so hard to prevent marginalized people from doing it. This year’s election in the United States is incredibly important and there are even more factors working against us than usual: We know that there will likely be interference from foreign governments with our election; the pandemic has …Read More
S.W.A.T.: How a TV Show Gave Us A Template For Police Reform
CN: extensive discussion of police brutality, police tactics, institutional racism, brief discussion of of gender-based violence, sexual assault, and mass shootings We know that fiction can be based on fact but how often is fact influenced by fiction? The beloved show Star Trek has long been famous for inspiring the invention of many of the “futuristic” technologies used in the show. The Black Lives Matter movement has repeatedly called on us to dismantle and recreate …Read More