ancestors of the path.

a note on May Day | + lists, links, recs <3

It has been a WEEK. Life and work are really going hard, y’all, and I know I’m not the only one feeling that. I don’t think it’s a good look to apologize for late newsletters, but the Capricorn-rising in me really loved being on a schedule. Once school ends, I am going to try to get back to consistent Friday love notes (that’s this thing), and longer Monday or mid-week essays. For all my other regimented earth signs, thank you for bearing with the chaos. Oh hey also, when school ends, my salary ends too. This is the perfect time to support an independent writer, for only $33. <3 

cherry blossoms//ohio.

Dear friends, 

The first week of May is a holiday week for people across the globe, and for radicals/Lefties in the US. May Day is, as we sometimes say annoyingly, the real labor day, the one that celebrates the immigrant workers of Chicago who were martyred in 1886. Workers had gathered at Haymarket Square to fight for better working conditions, specifically for the eight-hour day (a little soft of a demand for the anarchists, but they went along with it). Police shot and killed two of the demonstrators and injured several others. In response to the tragedy, workers gathered again, and this time a bomb went off in the crowd; the state now had an excuse to make an example of those they found to be the biggest threat: anarchist immigrants. With no hard evidence, the courts still charged eight anarchists to death. During the trial, the defendants gave speeches. They are all worth a read, but I’ll share what Adolf Fischer had to say: “I was tried here in this room for murder, and I was convicted of Anarchy. I protest against being sentenced to death, because I have not been found guilty of murder. However, if I am to die on account of being an Anarchist, on account of my love for liberty, fraternity and equality, I will not remonstrate. If death is the penalty for our love of freedom of the human race, then I say openly I have forfeited my life; but a murderer I am not.”

On May 1st, we honor the ghosts of these ancestors of the path, these spectres of principle. The labor movement is in a dramatically different place today, but the fight against the state remains violently familiar. We are still fighting against the horrors of those in power deciding who gets access to a livable life, who gets to move through the land with ease or restraint, who gets to be safe or under threat in their body. Immigrants with beliefs that counter the state are still being made examples of. 

It is auspicious that May Day is also the ancient pagan celebration of spring called Beltane. Both anarchists and sprouting seeds in the ground know what it is to struggle. We both also know what it is to bloom. 

Northeast Ohio had good company for the occasion, as anarchist writer, musician, and preparedness aficionado

Margaret Killjoy

joined us for readings and events. Before an evening of radical storytelling at The Rhizome House, Margaret came to my campus to share work from her forthcoming book and to do a wonderful workshop on food storage. As we vacuum-sealed mylar bags with beans and rice, we talked about challenging narratives of individualism that permeate the cultural imaginary. As I said on my IG stories reportback: “remember that the zombie movies want us to believe we’ll all be out for ourselves in the apocalypse, but it’s already the apocalypse(s) & we keep taking care of each other.” 

@rebelgrrlraechel

I believe in the power of this truth: that as things get worse, we will become better. I think it will be our only choice. 

*** 

Below! Reading recs (a related piece on mothering during Hurricane Helene, a link for the Rilo Kiley girlies losing their minds with me rn in the leadup to the reunion tour, the essays I taught in the feminist/queer indigenous studies unit this week, & more); a *perfect* spring-to-summer transition album; a rec for a heart wrenching drama with impeccable acting; and my usual list of things that brought me joy. 

Remember, a paid subscription is only $33. Supporting independent writers means so much. (And once school ends (next week!), paid subs will get even more benefits in addition to the member-only posts, chats, and comments). Thanks for considering. <3 

love & solidarity, 

raechel 

Reading.