As protests broke out across the country last week, we put a pause on all aspects of production for the next issue of Drawstring. We have instead been spending our time on the streets, and pushing forward our personal digital activism. Our Apologies for the delay bringing an update to you.

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As a young project it seemed it may be best to dissolve Drawstring - but instead we have chosen to activate it.

This project was born out of the pandemic, and was intended to function as an adaptive platform in an unstable world. We are not only post-corona at this point, we are also post-George Floyd. We must act, and adapt, and be useful. We must work to grow and perpetuate a movement for racial justice, the defunding of police, and force Trump and every other openly hateful politician out of office. Additionally, all of our staff and contributors need to put in the work to prove we are real allies that will continue to grow and educate ourselves. And doubly for myself as the founder and editor - I have not always spoken up. I have not tried hard enough to understand. I have many times let apathy take the place of action. Please know I am personally committed to change. 

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Drawstring Magazine will be an actively anti-racist political platform. Every individual presenting content with us is working in solidarity with this cause.

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Moving forward we are asking ourselves:

What are the possibilities for this project?

How can we best use our time and energy?

What resources and tools can we develop?

What do people need to learn about, and read about next?

What can a handful of intelligent creative people do with a platform that is of use to our community?

How can we continue to community build and work to motivate collective solidarity and kindness?

What will we need next?

How can we push to think radically about what is possible?

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We are already hard at work brainstorming answers to these questions.

We would like to invite anyone who has a skill, an idea, or a story to contribute, to please reach out. Political opinion pieces and personal essays will continue to be an important feature of Drawstring - but subjects will pertain to current events and BIPOC voices will be prioritized. Note: We will be continuing the, She’s Wildewoman - music column, and the Pandemic Love - sex and relationship column, as these still seem to be useful spaces.

Please throw absolutely ANY random thought or idea at us. We are good at sifting and helping to develop ideas!

How to get involved:

Contact Us form
DM on Instagram
submit an anonymous question, comment, or suggestion

You will hear more from us soon.

In solidarity,

Jessica Pierotti, Drawstring Staff, & Contributors