the speakeasy

Angela Davis

radical feminism

literature

Reading List for the Revolution: Angela Davis & Radical Inspiration for 2021

What if we all committed to a radical reading list for 2021? What would we learn? And with this, what could we do? This collection of books will set you…

Sarah Yanni —

Dec 29, 2020

audre lorde

queer theory

book features

Year of Our (Audre) Lorde: December’s Prologue

Like so many others, I’ve been chirping about the end of 2020, as if the transition from one year to the next will somehow magically suture our open wounds.

Jehan —

Dec 28, 2020

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

netflix

film

Viola Davis Towers in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Giving Life to a Black Queer Legend

In Viola Davis’ hands, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” becomes a complex portrait of a queer Black woman hurricane whose footprints loom large over the last 100 years.

Carmen Phillips —

Dec 22, 2020

interview

latina

politics + activism

Queer Latina Tiffany Cabán Is Running For NYC Council, Bringing Hope To 2021

She ran a progressive campaign for Queens DA that put New York’s establishment on notice, and now has NYC Council in sight. “It’s not about good people or bad people,…

Christian —

Dec 3, 2020

audre lorde

queer theory

book features

Year of Our (Audre) Lorde: November’s Sister Love

It has felt hard to state how much I’ve been missing my family lately. But Audre Lorde and Pat Parker’s relationship is a testament to the life-affirming power of queer…

Jehan —

Nov 27, 2020

Asian American

the angsty buddhist

society + culture

The Angsty Buddhist: “Avatar” & Telling Our Own Stories

I don’t think it matters much whether Avatar: The Last Airbender is “respectful” of Asian culture. I think the show is racist, and also I like it. I’m interested in…

L —

Nov 23, 2020

the speakeasy

film

“A New York Christmas Wedding” Asks You to Believe in the Power of Love at Christmas

I love Christmas. I love having a guardian gayngel. And even when the movie is not great, I love a queer Afro-Latina in New York getting her very own Gay…

Carmen Phillips —

Nov 19, 2020

Asian American

chronic illness

first person

The Angsty Buddhist: Chronic Pain & Trying Not To Be A White Yoga Lady

I’ve been told I should try to reclaim my ancestral healing practices, and this is something I would like to do. When I try to learn about Chinese things, it…

L —

Nov 12, 2020

2020 election

the speakeasy

news

Black Women Organizers Deserve More Than Just Your Flowers and Thank Yous

Black women didn’t save this democracy for you and we don’t need your “Thank Yous.” We need you to follow the example that Black women have set for more than…

Carmen Phillips —

Nov 11, 2020

#blacklivesmatter

the speakeasy

astrology, tarot & witchcraft

Where My Black Witches At? Using Black Ancestral Magic Against White Supremacy

From actual hexes to binding spells, witchcraft has a long tradition in the fight to dismantle white supremacy. A new generation of Black witches are taking part in the resistance…

Krista White —

Oct 31, 2020

audre lorde

queer theory

book features

Year of Our (Audre) Lorde: October’s Dead Is Behind Us

To be Black in this world is to be intimate with a kind of living death. It’s an intimacy no one craves, and yet Black people know better than most…

Jehan —

Oct 29, 2020

Asian American

buddhism

first person

The Angsty Buddhist: Learning Anger And White Buddhism

When it comes to Buddhism and cultural appropriation, I still sometimes worry that I’m making a big deal out of nothing, that I’m angry for no good reason.

L —

Oct 28, 2020