The hottest Activism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Imperial Hypocrisy About "Terrorism" Hits Its Most Absurd Point Yet

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2253 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. The US has removed a Syrian group linked to Al Qaeda from its terrorist list after they aligned with US interests. This shows how ‘terrorism’ labels can change based on political convenience.
  2. In contrast, a nonviolent activist group in the UK, Palestine Action, was labeled as a terrorist organization for protesting against military actions. This highlights a double standard in what actions are deemed terrorist.
  3. The text argues that ‘terrorist’ simply means anyone who opposes the interests of powerful nations, showing the inconsistent definitions of terrorism based on political needs.

Aporia gets a hit piece in the Guardian

ideassleepfuriously • 2122 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📰 News Activism
  1. The article criticizes a hit piece on Aporia Magazine by The Guardian for associating the magazine with scientific racism and attacking anti-woke activist Chris Rufo.
  2. The piece points out the tactic of using experts to lend authority to playground insults, such as labeling Aporia as 'seriously nasty' and 'scientific racist'.
  3. The article highlights the tactic of quoting out of context, like criticizing statements about racial differences in intelligence, without actually refuting the claims.

Shaun King Banned from Instagram

Pen>Sword • 2675 implied HN points • 25 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Activism
  1. Shaun King was banned from Instagram for his advocacy for Gaza, sparking concerns about silencing voices speaking up for critical causes.
  2. King's removal from Instagram reveals the power of digital platforms in shaping public narratives and movements, emphasizing the importance of individuals like King as symbols.
  3. The incident serves as a warning to the public, especially youth, that speaking up on controversial issues like Palestine could lead to suppression by social media platforms.

Sky News Smears Greta Thunberg As A Nazi To Justify IDF Attack

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2589 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. Greta Thunberg and others were on a ship aiming to deliver aid to Gaza when they were attacked by Israeli forces. This incident highlights the risks faced by those trying to help in conflict zones.
  2. A Sky News anchor suggested that Thunberg's past criticisms of Israel and accusations against her were reasons to justify the attack. This reflects how criticism of Israel can lead to serious backlash and dangerous situations.
  3. The article argues that support for Israel often relies on false narratives and a lack of moral reasoning, making it difficult to have honest conversations about the conflict and humanitarian issues.

Oxfam: When misogyny is the mission

The Glinner Update • 3970 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Activism
  1. Oxfam is criticized for prioritizing gender ideology over women's rights and safety.
  2. The charity faced backlash for removing a children's game due to pressure from trans activists.
  3. Oxfam's inclusive language guide erases terms like 'mother' and 'pregnant woman' and promotes gender-based language.
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Decolonizing The World (w/ Amin Husain) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 145 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Activism
  1. Palestine today reveals an extreme form of settler colonialism that uses dispossession, erasure, and violence as a model for maintaining power. It shows how these same logics of control are linked to global systems of empire and racialized capitalism.
  2. Museums, universities, and cultural institutions often reproduce colonial stories and are backed by wealthy elites, so they shape public memory and block justice. Activists can challenge those narratives through targeted protests, alternative education, and concrete demands to win real change.
  3. Effective resistance requires broad coalitions and tactics like boycotts, strikes, refusal, and building independent infrastructure. Because money and state power protect the status quo, movements must connect struggles across communities and sustain long-term organizing.

10-Minute Investment Autopsy No. 1: Lear Corp

Behavioral Value Investor • 104 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
💰 Finance Activism
  1. An investor argued Lear was deeply undervalued because its car-seat business acted like a high-return duopoly, estimating normalized EPS around $6 and big upside from the $33 price.
  2. In 2007 Carl Icahn made a $36/share offer that the board initially accepted, but activist opposition led shareholders to reject the deal.
  3. When the 2009 auto recession hit and Lear’s largest customers failed, the company went bankrupt and equity holders were wiped out, showing how customer concentration and leverage can destroy a seemingly cheap stock.

You Can Buy This Sweater. Unless You’re a ‘Proud Zionist.’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1548 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Activism
  1. Lingua Franca is a luxury sweater brand that sells sweaters with social and political messages. They are popular among celebrities and affluent customers.
  2. A customer ordered a sweater with 'Proud Zionist' on it but never received it. The company's customer service gave vague reasons for the order's cancellation.
  3. The brand has made a choice about which messages to support, indicating that some causes are not welcome in their product lineup.

Weekend reads: Stephen Marche on the crisis in Canadian cultural institutions

Lean Out with Tara Henley • 1906 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Activism
  1. Stephen Marche's essay examines the politicization of Canadian cultural institutions dominated by radical leftist activists.
  2. The rise of extremist activism in Canada is leading to a decline in progressive activism's influence and support.
  3. Younger generations are turning away from progressivism towards more radical or right-wing ideologies, causing a shift in political landscapes.

A Perfectly Grilled Corn on the Cob of Links & Recs

Culture Study • 1667 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Activism
  1. Grilled corn on the cob is a simple but delicious summer food, and it can be even better with a dash of salt or some cheese and spices.
  2. Summer days can be enjoyed by doing simple things like reading, gardening, or spending time outdoors with pets.
  3. It's important to stay aware of the hardships in the world, such as the ongoing food crisis in Gaza, and to help those in need through donations to organizations providing aid.

Activism, Uncensored: Alligator Alcatraz

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2053 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. Alligator Alcatraz is a new immigration detention center in Florida designed to hold over 3,000 illegal immigrants. It's built quickly on an old airstrip in the Everglades.
  2. Florida Republicans are using the facility to raise money by selling Alligator Alcatraz merchandise, which has caused mixed reactions from the public.
  3. The facility has sparked significant political debate and protests, highlighting different opinions on immigration issues in the state.

The fossil fuel executive inside the White House

HEATED • 1906 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. Biden's advisors are split about implementing a stricter climate test for LNG projects.
  2. A former gas executive serving as a senior White House adviser is advising caution on LNG projects.
  3. Activists are planning a large-scale civil disobedience action to pressure the White House to reevaluate LNG project approvals.

American Politics is Bringing Us Down

The Liberal Patriot • 1729 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. Many voters view politics negatively and feel disheartened by the current state of American politics.
  2. Engaging in non-political activities and discussions can provide a refreshing break from partisan divides.
  3. Reinvigorating democracy requires looking beyond partisan politics and working together in various civic roles to address societal challenges.

Chip Berlet, in memoriam; Poland's Perils; Matters of Church and State

Unpopular Front • 31 implied HN points • 15 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Activism
  1. A long-term, research-driven fight against the far right shows that effective organizing centers on listening to and following the lead of people directly affected.
  2. Poland successfully blocked an authoritarian shift, but the right-wing populist party that pushed it remains active and could try to return to power.
  3. The new government made institutional gains like freeing public media and unlocking EU funds, but investigations stalled, accountability was limited, and promised social reforms failed, leaving many supporters disillusioned.

Betrayal, Refusal, and the Yes that Follows

Charles Eisenstein • 12 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. A leader who campaigned against endless wars has instead escalated conflict, risking catastrophic violence and eroding American global influence.
  2. Traditional protests alone may not be enough; coordinated economic actions like boycotts, debt strikes, and mass financial withdrawals can quickly pressure institutions and governments, and they require organization, timing, and collective courage.
  3. Any mass refusal should reject vengeance and dehumanization and instead build a new "yes" grounded in dignity, consent, and equal human worth for all.

The 'Let Kids be Kids' roadshow of the South Island NZ gets pushback from the usual suspects.

A B’Old Woman • 759 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. Some parents in New Zealand are worried about what kids are learning in school about gender identity and sex education. They feel that these topics are sometimes not suitable for children.
  2. The 'Let Kids be Kids' roadshow faced backlash from activists who disagreed with its message. They pressured event venues to cancel the presentations.
  3. There's a growing concern among parents about their involvement in decisions about school education. Some feel their voices are not being heard in discussions about the guidelines related to sexual education.

Pushing Back, Short-Term and Long

The Crucial Years • 3667 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Activism
  1. This is a tough time for climate and social justice activists, with funding cuts causing chaos and uncertainty.
  2. There's a rising movement and resolve against harmful policies and actions, with people actively rallying and making their voices heard.
  3. Despite the challenges, the cost of clean energy is falling, giving us a promising opportunity to shift toward renewable resources and fight for change.

April 4, 1968

TRANSFORM with Marianne Williamson • 2790 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination on April 4, 1968, deeply impacted many, including the author's family.
  2. The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy is a reminder to strive for justice and create a better world.
  3. Despite the passage of time, the messages of love and justice promoted by Dr. King are still relevant and vital today.

Beyond MLK Day

Wild Holy & Free • 1838 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. MLK's words should be read in context to inspire change.
  2. Reflect on MLK's life and the systemic racism that led to his words.
  3. Consider the societal conditions that led to MLK's impactful words.

Good God, I can't take it, this Freedom Fighting movement (many I have come to know) is such a FRAUD, such a farce, these people can't wait daily, they take a pee, they come to you begging for money,

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 1454 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. The author criticizes certain individuals in the Freedom Fighting movement for being fraudulent and constantly begging for money.
  2. There is a mention of people enriching themselves with donor money in a race to see who can beg first.
  3. Real estate agents are accused of profiting off the Canadian Truckers' situation without aiding the individuals they begged money for.

Trans activists make women terrified for their safety at the Let Women Speak rally in New Zealand.

A B’Old Woman • 5135 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. At the rally in New Zealand, many women felt scared due to aggressive protests from trans activists. This fear led to organizers feeling they had to abandon the event for safety reasons.
  2. There are strong concerns about how discussions around gender and women's spaces are being handled, especially the rights and safety of women in spaces meant only for them.
  3. Many women and parents are frustrated that their voices and concerns are not being acknowledged by the government or media. They feel they should be able to speak freely about these issues without facing violence or backlash.

Curb Your Enthusiasm Liberalism

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1462 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. California's new housing reforms are a big win for the YIMBY movement, which wants more development and less environmental restriction. This change shows a shift in liberal ideas and how power is used in politics.
  2. There's a divide in liberalism between those who push for new ideas and those who cling to old ways. The older activists focus too much on local control instead of broader housing needs.
  3. It's easier to understand conservative politics because it's often led by one strong figure. Liberalism, on the other hand, is more complex and diverse, making it harder to pinpoint who truly influences their direction.

Maladapted: Aaron Bushnell, Mental Health, and the Role of Heretics in Fostering Social Change

Humanities in Revolt • 938 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Activism
  1. Many mainstream views associate extreme actions like self-immolation with mental illness, but a humanistic perspective suggests that such actions can be driven by a desire for social change and justice.
  2. Labeling someone as 'mentally ill' based on their dissenting actions or beliefs may be a way to dismiss their ideas without engaging in a meaningful discussion.
  3. Heretics and rebels throughout history have played a crucial role in driving positive social changes, challenging norms, and promoting critical thinking over blind adherence to tradition.

Press 3 for Moral Panic

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1562 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. There is a claim that the Trump administration is shutting down a suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth, but this is inaccurate. The hotline is simply being changed to serve all callers, not just LGBTQ youth.
  2. Mainstream media are expressing outrage over this decision, suggesting it could harm vulnerable youth. However, the reality is that no actual services are being removed.
  3. The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ activist organization, is concerned about these changes, but it's important to understand the difference between a service being closed and a service being modified.

FLORIDA, LOVELY FLORIDA

Entering The Lung • 2633 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Activism
  1. Florida is a diverse state with incredible people, not just stereotypes.
  2. Support organizations in Florida that are working for positive change.
  3. Reflect on your biases and reconsider your views on people in your own community.

Understanding the Obesity Bill of Rights - Part 1

Weight and Healthcare • 659 implied HN points • 20 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Activism
  1. The 'Obesity Bill of Rights' is part of a movement lobbying for insurance coverage for weight loss industry products and interventions.
  2. The language used in the 'Obesity Bill of Rights' is rooted in marketing from weight loss companies, not in science.
  3. The rights proposed in the 'Obesity Bill of Rights' seem to prioritize weight loss industry profits over actual healthcare for higher-weight individuals.

While The Waymos Burn

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1606 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. The world is facing big problems like pollution and violence, and people's frustrations are building up.
  2. Many individuals are feeling a mix of sadness and hope, while some are ready to fight for change.
  3. Even in dark times, there are efforts and acts of kindness happening quietly, showing that there's still hope for a better future.

A march on Washington, a death in Venezuela, and a watch on the German border

The Pillar • 1395 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Activism
  1. Today, Jan. 19, is the March for Life in Washington, DC, which remains significant despite shifts in activism focus.
  2. The death of Kenyan priest Fr. Josiah K’Okal in Venezuela raises suspicions of foul play due to his advocacy for indigenous rights.
  3. Pope Francis issued new financial regulations for the Vatican, showing a response to past scandals and a shift in authority.

Activism, Uncensored: A Clash of Inauguration Protests

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 3149 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. Protests can bring together people with very different views, leading to chaotic interactions on the streets. It's a reminder that activism often sparks intense emotions and actions.
  2. Some protesters use art and symbols to express their messages, which can be open to interpretation. This shows how deeply feelings about rights and identity can influence what people create and display.
  3. It’s important to document events like these without judgment, allowing visuals to tell the story. Capturing these moments helps us understand the context of today's activism.

UNITY OVER ICE

Pizza Party • 56 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism
  1. Unity is presented as a powerful, unstoppable force.
  2. The message is motivational and pushes people to come together and act in solidarity.
  3. There’s a clear call to join and support the movement, inviting readers to engage or subscribe.

Meditations On Bono Receiving The Presidential Medal Of Freedom From Joe Biden

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 3166 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Activism
  1. Bono has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, raising questions about the authenticity of such awards in a society perceived as fake.
  2. Despite his humanitarian claims, Bono has strong ties to powerful figures and institutions, leading to criticism of his commercialized activism.
  3. The current state of art and creativity is often corrupted, serving the interests of the elite instead of promoting genuine change for the betterment of society.