Crys Yin’s
Care Package
In April, I was desperate to see something grow. I planted herbs and small vegetables on my stoop, my window sill, and tracking their slightest change was on some days the only thing I looked forward to. I yearned for my family and for familiarity.
As the pandemic raged on, I was terrified for this city. Our administration failed us, continues to fail us. They left us to die – violently and without dignity. My onions didn’t make it through the summer.
But there is so much joy to be found in food and in the presence of food. In the growing, the sharing, the preparation. I cannot wait for spring.
Yin is raising awareness for The Ain’t I A Woman?! Campaign, an organizing and educational effort of labor groups, elderly and disabled self-advocates, and women’s rights organizations. We aim to end the super-exploitation of women, and hold those benefiting from sweatshop labor accountable–whether we work in garment factories, home healthcare, or offices. Currently, we are demanding justice for home care attendants who are being forced to work 24-hour shifts, while only being compensated for 13 of those hours. These shifts have damaged the health of home care workers, majority of whom are immigrants and women of color, and we must put an end to the 24-hour workday.
As well as the South Brooklyn Mutual Aid. Solidarity, not charity. In operation since March, SBKMA is a mutual aid group situated in South Brooklyn with over 800 volunteers supporting our neighbors from Sunset Park to Canarsie and everywhere in between. To date, we’ve delivered over 20,000 grocery boxes, raised over $275,000, and continue to feed 400-500 families weekly. We're neighbors helping neighbors!
A selection of books from quarantine:
B Jenkins, Fred Moten
Bought this in June from Lit Bar when I was desperate to read words with movement. I would read these poems and then listen/dance to the artists he dedicated these words to. Reading a poem daily and having this ritual was incredibly calming.
Interior Chinatown, Charles Yu
Bought this in June from Lit Bar based off of a recommendation from my friend Charlene. I spent months purchasing books and borrowing e-books my friends were reading as a means to connect with them. The narrative structure is so fascinating and unique — this book made me miss going to the theatre.
Iceland, Yuichi Yokoyama
Bought this in May to support my friends’ comic books store, Partners and Son, in Philly. Yuichi Yokoyama draws masterpieces in every panel.
We Cast a Shadow, Maurice Carlos Ruffin
I borrowed this from my friend Stephanie in June. We met in the park to exchange books and it was one of the longest human interactions I had had at that point. She recommended this to me because it’s similar to one of my favorite books, Paul Beatty’s The Sellout. The satire and humor in this was just what I needed.
When the Moon Waxes Red, Trinh T. Minh-Ha
My friend Jesse sent me pages from this book in April and I read them everyday for a few weeks. The chapter Yellow Sprouts brought me so much strength, I bought the book second-hand in May.
Room for Salivation, An Anthology of Joy, curated by Crys Yin
In April, I curated and compiled a collection of texts and recipes from artists, writers, creatures that I love and admire - in hopes of providing nourishment to both myself and others in times of darkness. It is an anthology solely dedicated to joy. Download at crysyin.com/s/RoomForSalivation.pdf
