Something Is Happening Here

Something Is Happening Here is a collaboration between The Nation and Kopkind, offering scenes from a pandemic—a series of dispatches from Kopkind’s far-flung network of participants, advisers, guests, and friends. Edited by Nation contributor and Kopkind program director JoAnn Wypijewski, it will appear weekly on thenation.com and kopkind.org.

Kopkind is a living memorial to radical journalist Andrew Kopkind, who from 1982–94 was the magazine’s chief political writer and analyst. For 20 years, the project, administered by Andy’s life partner, John Scagliotti, has held summer seminar/retreats to support and spark the work of political journalists, activists and, with the Center for Independent Documentary, filmmakers. “Only connect,” Andy liked to say, an idea that Kopkind fosters among groups that are diverse in identity and area of work but for whom dynamics of power and liberation, in their many forms, are always central.

Hello, Poetry, You ‘Lamenting Pleasure’

Hello, Poetry, You ‘Lamenting Pleasure’ Hello, Poetry, You ‘Lamenting Pleasure’

Reading poetry over the phone, David Ferry and loved ones find an antidote to loneliness.

May 5, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Elizabeth Emma Ferry and Stephen Ferry

Pandemic Artists Posters

Waiting for Catastrophes While Living Under the Specter of Pandemic and War Waiting for Catastrophes While Living Under the Specter of Pandemic and War

When “How are you doing?” is also a question of politics and the world.

Apr 28, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Vijay Prashad

Italy Covid

Letter From Italy Letter From Italy

“It’s as quiet in our street as it was a year ago.”

Apr 21, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Daisy Cockburn

Prison Gym

Undanced Dances During a Pandemic Undanced Dances During a Pandemic

From inside a California prison come choreographies of the mind.

Apr 14, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Suchi Branfman

Bernie chair memes

One Year Ago When Bernie’s Campaign Ended, We Lost a Common Love One Year Ago When Bernie’s Campaign Ended, We Lost a Common Love

Of all the losses over the past year, Bernie’s campaign—the love at its core—is one we don’t talk about.

Apr 7, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Lillian Osborne

In the Depths of the Pandemic, Tracing My Family’s Contact

In the Depths of the Pandemic, Tracing My Family’s Contact In the Depths of the Pandemic, Tracing My Family’s Contact

A family grapples with disappearance, loneliness, and angst during a pandemic.

Mar 31, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Joël Díaz

‘Hopefully This Will All Be Over Soon’ and Other Evasions

‘Hopefully This Will All Be Over Soon’ and Other Evasions ‘Hopefully This Will All Be Over Soon’ and Other Evasions

Fukushima, Covid, rampant suicide—we’re asked to overcome, to forget, but healing requires confrontation.

Mar 24, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Lisa Torio

Asam Ahmad garden

Awaiting a Second Spring, and the Growth of Living Things Awaiting a Second Spring, and the Growth of Living Things

On gardens, fellow feeling, and whether “we’re all in this together” shall transcend cliché, on the cusp of another surreal spring.

Mar 17, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Asam Ahmad

Postcards From Restaurant-Land

Postcards From Restaurant-Land Postcards From Restaurant-Land

Labor and loneliness one year later.

Mar 15, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Jason Kotoch

Oakland

Trump Made His ‘American Carnage’ Fever Dream True Trump Made His ‘American Carnage’ Fever Dream True

In the US, 500,000 people are dead, but the toll is higher and Covid is but one measure of public health.

Mar 3, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Matt Nelson

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