Every February 14, Americans buy roses, swap cards, book dinner reservations, and post heart emojis like it’s a civic duty. But Valentine’s Day didn’t start with chocolate boxes or candlelit restaurants. It began with a martyr. Possibly several martyrs. And along the way, medieval poetry, Victorian craft culture, and American industrial capitalism quietly reshaped it … Continue reading History of St. Valentine’s Day
Category: Current Events
The Discipline of Desire: How Moral Codes Keep Making Filth
We're living, once again, in the era of artistic repression, and here's the thing about that - repression never actually cleanses, it just curdles and simmers and finds ways to leak and bleed its way out again. It seems that every generation invents new ways to convince itself that it’s protecting innocence, and every generation … Continue reading The Discipline of Desire: How Moral Codes Keep Making Filth
Queer Book Bans: What’s Really Happening When Queer Books Get Labeled “Pornography”
Over the last few years, you may have heard that libraries and schools across the U.S. are removing “pornography” from shelves, especially books that children or teens might access. That framing sounds reasonable at first. Most people agree that libraries shouldn’t hand explicit adult material to kids. But when you look more closely at which … Continue reading Queer Book Bans: What’s Really Happening When Queer Books Get Labeled “Pornography”
Who We Grieve – And Why
I’ve been thinking a lot about the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Like many people, I’m angry. I’m heartbroken. I want accountability. No one should die at the hands of the state. Ever. But to be honest, I’ve been extremely uneasy with parts of the discourse that’s emerged in response. I keep seeing … Continue reading Who We Grieve – And Why
I will not be inconspicuous
I realize this is a privilege we don't all have. But I do, so I will be obvious. Fascism isn't hiding. Hate is proudly announcing itself and painting itself as righteous. Hate is going to come for a lot of people, and too many people who don't hate aren't doing much, if anything, to stop … Continue reading I will not be inconspicuous
Throw away your blue bracelet
The recent blue bracelet fad, just like the pink hats and safety pins, are superficial and performative nonsense meant to make people - white people in particular - feel better for a hot minute and signal that they're one of the "good ones." Take it off. Set it on fire. This is one of the … Continue reading Throw away your blue bracelet
Art is resistance
Update: The Hart Family Case
"The problem is, these women look normal." The post above that I wrote back in 2019 seems to be one of the most common ways that people discover my blog. I think it got posted on Reddit somewhere. I thought I'd offer an update with some other sources to check out if, like me, you … Continue reading Update: The Hart Family Case
An easy way to help
If you can't see the image, click the post title for a QR code to donate eSIMs to Gazans. There are very affordable plans available.
Remember in 2024…
Art is a form of resistance. And more than ever, we need resistance. Create art. Consume art. Share art.
Notes in the Margins 