A non-definitive playlist of songs speaking truth to power
Although Donald Trump has left office, it is imperative that we the people unite to fight the legacy of Trumpism that lives on — an amalgam of Nazi-like fascism, white supremacy, violent extremism, and all of the worst ‘isms’ imaginable. History has warned us that our minimization and mockery of far-right movements foment the worst impulses of humanity that can inevitably lead to pogroms, concentration camps, and yes, even genocide. But we are not merely in a battle against Trumpism. In reality, we are in a lifelong war against the age-old systems that enable Trumpism in the first place.
I…
In a single day alone, laborers across India sent a powerful message to the workers of the world: Unite. Will Americans follow their lead?
As the world remains deep in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, the working class has suffered tremendous blows from a global economic system that has been increasingly exposed for its exploitation and neglect of the poor and marginalized. With the United States and India holding first and second place in total coronavirus cases as of January 16th respectively, workers in both nations have reeled in bearing the ongoing costs of a largely halted world economy…
A while ago, I heard a voice in a church I stumbled upon as I was walking about — calling out in song, as if it was longing for me to come inside.
I’d forgotten the immediate transformation I experience when I’m in church, the internal peace that resurfaces throughout my body. Perhaps a jaded part of me likes it because I’m amongst people who are longing for their real home — a better realm. They, too, realize this must not be the place.
I look around me, and all I see is longing.
Longing for heaven.
Longing for happiness.
…
A commentary on the evolution of discovering and rediscovering great music.
In 2016, upon hearing news of the untimely death of The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, I began to read about the music legend’s life and legacy. Prince was not only gifted in his craft as a trailblazing multi-instrumentalist whose work spanned a large range of genres, he was also a humble humanitarian who transcended archaic norms around gender and sexuality. He was, in every sense, a beloved American icon.
So why is it that I only know two of his songs?
This is a bit of an embarrassing…
A poem about child rape
When I was 10, I would come home and watch “Hey Arnold!” after school
When you were 10, you were asked by a grown man if you loved him
When I was 10, my mom and dad would drop me off to my friends’ birthday parties
When you were 10, he rubbed your thigh as he drove you to yours
When I was 10, I was riding my bike around the neighborhood
When you were 10, he was kissing you on your lips
When I was 10, I would go to my rival school to swim
When you were 10…
On learning to reject conformity from a special book from my childhood
British novelist C.S. Lewis once said “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” In elementary school, I would often read Stargirl, a book written by Jerry Spinelli. It was a children’s story, but not the kind Lewis describes — it’s one I’ve held close to my heart and enjoy to this day.
Who is Stargirl?
She’s not an intergalactic superhero, nor is she the girlfriend of The Weeknd’s “Starboy”. She’s a fictional high school student who…
Reflecting on the drive to succeed through lessons learned from the greatest basketball player of all time.
A conversation on white supremacy, mental colonization, and anti-Blackness in the Indian community.
KFC: Hi, everyone! Welcome to FearLESS. I’m Kay Francesca Coelho and today I’m here with Aparna Priyadarshi. Aparna and I first met on Medium — I read an article she wrote and felt her frustration on anti-Blackness in the Indian community. We will talk about that in our interview today. First, I’d like to welcome Aparna on the show. Aparna, thanks so much for being here. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
AP: My name is Aparna Priyadarshi. I’m 29 years old, and I’m currently in…
As millions around the world watched the 46th President-elect of the United States deliver his victory speech, every single word spoken by the soon-to-be President mattered.
"Hello, my fellow Americans. Folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They’ve delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory. A victory for “We the People.” We’ve won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of the nation. 74 million."
It’s an overwhelming relief that we, the people were able to defeat the monstrosity that is Donald Trump by a margin of over 5 million people. However, in a nation Biden now envisions to unite, not 1, not 2, but 70 million people voted for that very monster — an even higher number than in 2016. His mandate is to understand that the grievances of those 70 million won’t disappear unless he fights to…
The neoliberal politics of Joe Biden is a major part of why America was ever fated with Donald Trump in the first place.
Trigger warning: Don’t read on if you don’t want your post-election buzz to fade just yet.
In February, I wrote a piece on the political vacuity of moderates running in the 2020 Democratic primaries. At that point in time, it appeared Pete Buttigieg was most likely the one to be groomed by the DNC to be the Democratic nominee. In a progressive pitch for Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, I focused most of my attention critiquing him…
