It’s Friday. If you’re reading this, you’ve survived another fucking week. I’m coping the same way I always do, by following the advice of the wonderful Celeste Pewter: I’ve adopted two Democratic Senate candidates as my own, and I plan to do an action for one of them each week, even if it’s something small. Bill Nelson’s seat in Florida is in a dead heat, and we have to hold the seats we have in the Senate (more Democrats than Republicans are up for reelection); and if y’all donate now, your donation will be double-matched, so you’re effectively donating $15 for every $5 you donate. Here’s how!
And now, on to the links.
Drop everything and read this profile of Jonathan Franzen. It brought such joy to my heart. It was everything I wanted it to be.
Heart of darkness: The grim, authoritarian soul of Thomas the Tank Engine. (This is not new but it is new to me and I need y’all to be aware of it.)
Which borough of New York City would win in a civil war?
Misogyny is boring as hell: A profile of writer Carmen Maria Machado.
That time England paid reparations for slavery — to slaveowners. (And other horrifying stories from the British history of slavery.)
“Alabama organizers have literally never stopped fighting.” Imani Perry on her home state.
Roxane Gay on why To Kill a Mockingbird matters (or doesn’t).
About suffering they were never wrong, the Old Masters.
While I wish this article had talked more about nonbinary folks, who also face a ton of harassment, it was still good to hear from women who have faced harassment as they talk about what they still value about the internet.
The Atlantic’s cover story for Pride Month made me really angry, but Alex Barasch had Slate has a very measured and sensible response to it.
Linda Holmes does not look with favor upon the new Roseanne-without-Roseanne show.
Just read the opening two paragraphs of this piece on women in Luke Cage, even if you don’t want the spoilers from the full article. Because they are a gut punch.
Harassers seem to apologize to everybody except the person they harassed.
Take care of yourselves, friends! Whatever care looks like for you, take the time for it. We’ll all be still here for the fight on Monday. I love y’all.