The hottest Activism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Art of the Next Best

Diane Francis • 499 implied HN points • 17 Jan 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Activism Bipartisanship Public Policy
  1. The recent actions by activists like Stacey Abrams show a tough moment for democracy in America. Their rejection of President Biden's speech highlights growing divides.
  2. Biden was trying to support voting rights with the Freedom to Vote Act but faced backlash. This makes it harder to reach agreements with those who oppose the bill.
  3. Criticism from both sides can block potential compromises. It's important for leaders to find common ground to move forward.

Faith, Hope, Love ... and Social Justice?

Meaning || Matter • 19 implied HN points • 07 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Social justice Activism Feminism Spiritual growth
  1. Love is crucial for social justice and can drive real change. Bell hooks believed that love is often seen as weak, but it can actually be a powerful and transformative force.
  2. Honest communication is essential in love and cannot exist in systems of domination. Patriarchy creates barriers, causing people to hide their true selves, which harms relationships.
  3. Spirituality can come from various traditions and doesn't have to be tied to organized religion. It's about valuing love and interconnectedness in our lives and communities.

bell hooks’ Labors of Love: Visionary Feminism

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Feminism Activism Social justice Intersectionality
  1. bell hooks' work emphasized the importance of caring about what you write, showing personal interest, and using respectful objectivity.
  2. She advocated for visionary feminism that targets sexism, exploitation, and oppression, aiming for transformation rather than mere reform.
  3. hooks urged for a deeper focus on economic class alongside race and gender issues, highlighting the interlocking systems of domination and the need to challenge classism.

Divorcing for Liberty Sanity

The False Consensus Effect • 59 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Poverty Ethics Activism Income
  1. The author suggests embracing voluntary poverty as a way to protest against governments and their harmful actions.
  2. Poverty can be a creative way to navigate life, leading to self-sufficiency and alternate sources of income.
  3. Living below the poverty line is proposed as a form of resistance against contributing to unethical government actions and military spending.

Ukraine is brutally repressing the left, criminalizing socialist parties, imprisoning activists

Geopolitical Economy Report • 279 implied HN points • 25 Mar 22
🌍 World Politics Repression Socialism Activism Ukraine
  1. Ukraine's Western-backed government is cracking down on the left, criminalizing socialist parties, and imprisoning activists, using Russia's invasion as a justification.
  2. Neo-Nazis have infiltrated Ukrainian security agencies since a 2014 US-backed coup, leading to violent repression of left-wing individuals and groups.
  3. The Ukraine government has implemented extreme laws banning communist symbols, songs, and affiliations, and has received support from the US and EU despite violating civil liberties.
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The Hong Konger

Pieter’s Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Activism Human Rights Democracy China
  1. The world seems to have forgotten about Jimmy Lai, a prominent figure in the Hong Kong democracy movement.
  2. Jimmy Lai, a wealthy Hong Kong business icon, faced persecution for his pro-democracy stance and involvement in protests.
  3. Despite facing imprisonment, Jimmy Lai remains steadfast in his commitment to fighting for the people of Hong Kong and their freedom.

Episode 110: Transactional Wokeness

Disaffected Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Activism Media Social Issues
  1. A woman who attacked a gay man at a Pride event only received community service, showing a lenient response to hate crimes.
  2. A significant donation from a controversial crypto company helped a candidate's election efforts, raising questions about funding sources in politics.
  3. The episode includes humorous commentary on social media posts that are seen as shallow or annoying, reflecting on the current cultural climate.

Burlington Gay Bash

Disaffected Newsletter • 279 implied HN points • 26 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics LGBTQ+ Issues Social movements Cultural Conflict Activism Identity politics
  1. A founder of the gay pride movement was attacked by members of the LGBTQ community in Burlington. This incident highlights tensions within the community itself.
  2. The discussion will focus on recognizing manipulative behaviors and understanding how to effectively respond to them. It's important to be aware of these tactics.
  3. In confrontations, sometimes a gentle approach isn’t the best choice. Knowing when to adjust your tone is key to effective communication.

John Farnham Has Stolen My Childhood

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 79 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Music Politics History Society Activism
  1. The author reflects on how Greta Thunberg's message about her stolen childhood is misguided, believing it's actually the common people who have had their childhood taken by societal norms.
  2. The narrative describes the nostalgic appeal of 80s music and how 'You're the Voice' symbolizes a shared childhood for many, creating a sense of unity during a turbulent time of the Cold War.
  3. The author expresses disappointment in John Farnham allowing his song to be used in a political campaign, feeling that it has tainted the song's legacy and stolen a piece of their childhood.

Activist Artificial Intelligence

Activist Futurism • 179 implied HN points • 03 Sep 22
🕹 Technology AI Activism Ethics Social movements Future Impacts
  1. Social unrest may take a new form with the emergence of Activist Artificial Intelligences, surpassing traditional protest methods like marches and riots.
  2. Advancements like GPT-J and Stable Diffusion show how AI can be used to create political images and organize movements, presenting new challenges and opportunities.
  3. The possibility of Activist AIs aligned with specific ideologies or even working for their own agendas raises concerns about their potential impact on society and political movements.

Khomeini's right-hand man was a "Jeffersonian Democrat" womanizer — and other FBI stories

Matthew's Notebook • 78 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Intelligence Revolution Iran Diaspora Activism
  1. Newly-declassified documents shed light on Iranian revolutionary Sadeq Qotbzadeh's run-ins with the FBI.
  2. Qotbzadeh was labeled a 'Jeffersonian Democrat' despite his ties to Ayatollah Khomeini.
  3. The FBI had extensive intel on the Iranian-American diaspora through informants and surveillance.

A requiem for Bell Bowl Prairie

This Week in Birding • 78 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Ecosystems Biodiversity Activism Legislation
  1. A group gathered at Bell Bowl Prairie to mourn its destruction by a bulldozer.
  2. Efforts to stop the destruction were unsuccessful due to legal system failures and lack of political action.
  3. Advocates call for updating endangered species laws and increasing funding for conservation to prevent similar devastation in the future.

A Single Mom’s Manifesto for Mother’s Day

Men Yell at Me • 288 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🎭️ Culture Essays Motherhood History Activism Social Issues
  1. Mother's Day is not just about gifts and recognition, but has deeper historical significance related to community care and activism.
  2. The original spirit of Mother's Day focused on pacifism, progress, community care, and support for mothers, led by women like Ann Jarvis, Julia Ward Howe, and Anna Jarvis.
  3. There is a need to shift focus towards advocating for maternal mental health care, medical knowledge, childcare, and policies supporting mothers' well-being, rather than relying on symbolic gestures.

Who Agrees with Hitler?

Unsafe Science • 223 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Political Ideology Academia Activism Partisanship
  1. The study found that people were more likely to agree with negative statements when they were about white people compared to other racial groups.
  2. Political affiliation influenced the level of agreement with negative statements, with liberals showing higher agreement with anti-white sentiments.
  3. The research highlighted how tribalism and prejudice can influence attitudes towards different demographic groups.

TERF Club!

A B’Old Woman • 199 implied HN points • 20 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Social movements Activism Public Discourse Cultural Commentary
  1. TERF Club cards are being spotted in public places, creating buzz and discussion online. It's interesting how a simple card can spark such strong reactions.
  2. The term 'TERF Club' originated from a casual tweet and has been turned into a movement by a dedicated team. It shows how a small idea can grow into something bigger.
  3. The cards not only promote the TERF message but also guide people to more information on related events. It's a clever way to engage people who find the cards.

Jesse Singal and Alex Berenson are post-prime, one-trick Substack ponies baring their biases and unreliability

Beck of the Pack • 39 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media International relations Government Activism Journalism
  1. Jesse Singal and Alex Berenson are criticized for their biases and unreliability on Substack.
  2. The authors are accused of being misinformed or biased on topics like Israel and Palestine.
  3. There are concerns about the quality of journalism and integrity when it comes to reporting by Singal and Berenson.

AI for Activism

Activist Futurism • 79 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Activism Artificial Intelligence Social Change
  1. OpenAI's ChatGPT, an AI text generation tool, has become widely accessible and raised concerns about its potential misuse
  2. Despite OpenAI's restrictions, the technology's gullibility makes it difficult to prevent its influence on politics
  3. AI, like ChatGPT, is seen as a new tool for activism, potentially aiding in creating more effective social movements

Call for Writing: Models for Making Distance.

Cybernetic Forests • 59 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Activism Resistance AI
  1. The call for writing is about seeking contributions for a print zine called Models for Making Distance.
  2. Contributions could include manifestos, art instructions, performances, literary works, and propaganda that explore distancing from algorithmic order.
  3. The project is organized by the Algorithmic Resistance Research Group, a collective focused on critical exploration and creative resistance to algorithmic culture.

Movie Corner

The Golden Notebooks • 58 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Documentaries Feminism Art Activism
  1. The writer enjoys watching documentaries directed by women with feminist themes.
  2. The documentary 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed' is praised for its impactful storytelling and visual contrast.
  3. The movie 'Barbie' is viewed through the perspective of a child, exploring the relationship between imagination and reality.

Running Dry

Climatescape Community Dispatch • 58 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Water Crisis Resource Management Activism Indigenous rights
  1. Access to fresh water is decreasing due to climate change impacts like rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events, leading to a water crisis globally.
  2. The water crisis in the United States is varied, with regions like the western U.S. facing drought, competition over dwindling water resources, and disregard for Indigenous water rights.
  3. Copper mining, necessary for climate change solutions like electric vehicles, poses a significant threat to water resources due to its high water usage, emphasizing the importance of alternative solutions and prioritizing water reuse, recycling, and Indigenous community involvement.

Story Three

Stories From The Rail • 319 implied HN points • 13 Nov 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Activism Policy Equality Society
  1. The Trump Administration's treatment of immigrant children is compared to prison camps, highlighting the importance of societal awareness and action.
  2. Authoritarian rule thrives on division and fear within the populace, emphasizing the need for unity in challenging oppressive systems.
  3. Individual actions, like spreading knowledge, showing kindness, and participating in societal change, play a crucial role in combating injustice and fostering a better society.

Thoughts of Freedom, Ireland and Friday Stuckism

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Global Governance Human Rights Activism
  1. Winning the war on propaganda is possible with a billion eyes watching and sharing information, leading to a shift in power.
  2. The author questions the current U.S. government system, highlighting the financial burden of taxes and the desire for a more peaceful defense budget like Ireland's.
  3. The trip to Ireland was eye-opening, showcasing a country where the people have a strong voice in government decisions and stand up for justice.

ProtestGPT: AI for Activists

Activist Futurism • 39 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Activism Campaigns Innovation Artificial Intelligence
  1. ProtestGPT is an AI tool designed to help activists generate unique and innovative protest ideas on various topics.
  2. ProtestGPT provides activists with campaign concepts, theories of change, press releases, social media posts, and step-by-step guides for organizing movements.
  3. Activists can interact with ProtestGPT to customize campaign ideas and get suggestions on protest targets, helping them plan effective and impactful actions.

Ireland says NO to abolishing mothers

Reactionary Feminist • 33 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Feminism Ireland Motherhood Equality Activism
  1. The Irish people rejected a proposal to remove explicit mention of mothers in the constitution during a recent vote.
  2. There is a growing resistance against the push for absolute gender sameness and the erasure of women's sexed nature.
  3. The women's movement is evolving to address new blind spots and emphasize the distinctiveness of mothers and the importance of women's lived realities.

Democracy, Organization, Violence: Lessons From the Civil Rights Movement

Life in the 21st Century • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Movement Democracy Organization Violence Activism
  1. Historically, the Civil Rights Movement was a pinnacle of democracy, revealing the power of collective democratic thinking and action.
  2. The Movement's essence goes beyond one charismatic figure, emphasizing the crucial role of democratic organization for any meaningful movement.
  3. Ella Baker's organizational insight and advocacy for personal and political transformation highlight the importance of education, organizing, and egalitarian dialogue in true democratic politics.