Celebrating a Socially Distanced Valentine's Day in 2021

Valentine’s Day has been heavily commercialized over the centuries, like every holiday that has been watered down in service of the white supremacist, capitalist patriarchy. But if you really want to show someone special how much you love them this Valentine’s Day, remember to start by dismantling heteronormative traditions based on patriarchal ideals of coercion through gift giving.

Who says the way to your true love’s heart is to buy an expensive gift that was harvested using exploitative and degrading means? Why, capitalism, of course!

Show the special someones in your life just how much you love them by refusing to shop for diamonds, products made by sweatshop labor, or candy harvested from the bodies of animals or the palm tree some orangutan needs much more than you do.

Just think of all the ways you can share your love without conforming to patriarchal standards of romance. In lieu of a card or overpriced gift, consider showing love to the Black community by directly moving equity (money) into the hands of Black people. When you pay reparations, you’re acting in the true spirit of love and reconciliation.

Sad because you can’t enjoy a safe and socially distanced romantic evening out for dinner and a movie? Fuck that shit. Instead, safely deliver a meal to one of…