BASIC Studios
Survival Is A Love Language
One Hundred Years of Black History
by Leslii
In a country where the Black Experience had been reduced to nothing more than forced labor, poverty and struggle, the establishment of Negro History Week in February of 1926—now Black History Month—was a pivotal moment for not only Black Americans, but the African Diaspora around the world.
Created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Negro History Month was born in the heartfelt effort to celebrate aspects of the Black Experience that are often overshadowed, distorted or deliberately ignored. This would bring light to the achievements made throughout history and, therefore, affirming Black Identity, resilience, and cultural contribution to a country built by their ancestors.
Why Was Black History Month Necessary?
Over time, the week-long celebration gained traction in Black schools, local governments, and newspapers, leading to it becoming a yearly tradition that encouraged public recognition of Black History. This also countered the centuries of psychological damage done through constant cycles of bigotry, oppression, and disingenuous aims at consolation with pseudo-equality.
Alongside the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and growing sense of Black Identity—encouraged by the Great Migration that took off in the 1910s and cultural awakenings inspired by the Harlem Renaissance of the twenties and thirties—scholars and activists advocated for a longer observance of Black History. As Daryl Michael Scott of ASALH states, the 1920’s “New Negro” era was marked with racial pride, urban migration, a growing Black middle class, and increased demand for Black literature and history education. They sought to continue the mission of educating millions of Black Americans by showing that they have always been exceptional thinkers, dependable leaders, and gifted visionaries.
And, for many of those children who would later grow up to foster future generations, this was often the first time education felt affirming, rather than alienating.
From Local to National Recognition
Officially recognized as Black History Month in 1976 by the US Government, the celebration sparked even more of a cultural shift as the celebration was no longer confined within primarily Black spaces and was now given broader public acknowledgement.
Reaching millions around the country, the month-long holiday was now entering public schools nationwide instead of just predominantly Black schools and other spaces, further challenging preconceived notions and narratives that had gone unquestioned for generations. By design, it reframed American history itself—exposing omissions, correcting distortions, and insisting that Black stories were not of little consequence, but foundational to the country’s very existence itself.
How the Observance Uplifted and Protected Black Communities
Remembering and documenting achievements made by Black Americans was an act of immense care, protection, and belief in a people beyond the lies many once thought they had no choice but to swallow.
By way of this observance, communities were able to:
- Directly influence the economy in noticeable ways, such as supporting black-owned businesses; encouraging donations to organizations that supported non-profits and initiatives focused on racial justice, education, and health; and by creating job opportunities where Black Americans were often overlooked.
- Create cultural spaces where pride replaced shame by amplifying Black activists, educators, and leaders who shared their truth, fostered dialogue, and inspired actionable change.
This show of resistance, this show of love for one’s community, touched the hearts of millions in not only the United States but also countries around the world where the broader African Diaspora had taken root and continued to thrive. The celebration reached Black communities across Canada, the UK, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe, introducing more ways to connect with histories and cultures disrupted by colonialism and displacement. It offered them the same sense of community.
What Black History Month Means Today
Today, the appreciation for Black History Month is just as strong as ever, if not more so. The second the clock strikes twelve on February 1st, you can see the explosion of celebratory posts on social media sites. While many such posts could be considered lighthearted memes or jokes, just the pure release of collective excitement for the month-long honoring of Blackness is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. Witnessing the sense of community, even amongst strangers, fills one with pride and reassurance. It reminds them that no matter what, no matter how many may still contest its existence, Black History Month is needed, is cherished, and will never truly cease to exist because survival has always been intentional, nurtured, and passed down.
Standing With Transgender People: Understanding the Challenges and How We Can Help
by Maxine
Transgender people—those whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth—are part of every community. Yet many face challenges that most cisgender people never have to think about. Understanding these struggles is the first step toward creating a safer, kinder, and more inclusive world.
Source: My partner is transgender, he helped me write this based on personal experiences.
The Challenges Transgender People Face
For many transgender people, everyday life can be unexpectedly difficult. Discrimination in workplaces, schools, healthcare settings, and housing is still common. Something as simple as using a public restroom, applying for a job, or visiting a doctor can be stressful or even unsafe.
Social rejection also takes a heavy toll. Transgender people are more likely to experience bullying, harassment, and family rejection, which can lead to isolation. Because of these pressures, rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are significantly higher among transgender individuals—not because of who they are, but because of how they are treated.
On top of this, many trans people struggle to access gender-affirming healthcare, face harmful misinformation about their identities, or encounter laws and policies that limit their rights and safety.
How We Can Help
The good news is that small, everyday actions make a real difference.
- Listen and respect. Believe transgender people when they talk about their experiences. Use their chosen name and pronouns—it’s a simple act that shows dignity and respect.
- Educate yourself. You don’t have to be an expert, but learning the basics about gender identity helps reduce fear and misunderstanding. This also means not relying on trans people to educate you unless they offer.
- Speak up. Challenge transphobic jokes, comments, or misinformation when you hear them. Silence can feel like agreement; respectful pushback shows support.
- Support inclusive spaces. Advocate for policies at work, school, or in your community that protect transgender people from discrimination and ensure access to safe facilities and healthcare.
- Show up. Support organizations that work for transgender rights, donate if you can, or attend community events. Even visible allyship can help someone feel less alone.
A Shared Responsibility
Transgender people don’t need to be “fixed” or debated—they need understanding, safety, and the freedom to live authentically. When we choose empathy over judgment and action over silence, we help create a world where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Helping transgender people isn’t just about supporting a marginalized group—it’s about standing up for fairness, humanity, and respect for all.
Why Women “Choose the Bear”
by Lore
During the Spring of 2024, a TikTok video produced by Screenshot HQ went viral, posing a hypothetical question asking women if they would rather be stuck in the woods with a male stranger or a bear.⁽³⁾ The response to the post was explosive, with the vast majority of women choosing the bear due to deep-seated fears of male violence. The reasoning was not that bears are inherently safe, but that men are unpredictable predators capable of deception and psychological torture. A bear offers a straightforward, albeit dangerous, biological outcome. Since this hypothetical was posed to the public, it has expanded in ways only a social media movement can, eventually being deemed the “Man vs. Bear” debate.⁽⁴⁾ At a time dedicated to celebrating male companionship, this debate might remind you to stay cautious.
The setting of the thought-project, a forest, represented a liminal space removed from the surveillance and purported protections of modern civilization. A romanticized “cabin in the woods” getaway can quickly dissolve into a terrifying survival scenario. Within this theoretical vacuum, there are no social expectations, and participants are forced to evaluate the situation based strictly on the inherent danger of the two predators. In folklore and literature, the forest has long stood as a locus of mystery and danger. Consequently, the forest serves as a metaphor for any environment where a woman finds herself alone and vulnerable. Within these spaces, the presence of an unknown man triggers a threat assessment protocol that most women are taught to run before they are even teenagers.⁽¹⁰⁾ We pass these warnings down like heirlooms; a secret love language between women.
Of the eight women featured in the final edit of the original video, seven chose the bear without hesitation or consideration.⁽³⁾ One respondent was recorded saying, “100% a bear, which is terrifying to say,” while another simply replied, “Men are scary.” That video received over 16 million views within its first two months on TikTok.⁽⁴⁾ For these women, the calculation was not about zoological survival but a recognition of systemic gender violence.⁽⁵⁾ The video externalized this social norm, validating the fears of millions of individuals who saw their own lived experiences reflected in those seven answers.
The preference for the bear revealed a grim reality: women trust the laws of nature more than they trust their fellow humans. If you encounter a bear in the wild, it will follow a predictable biological imperative. Humans, however, in their capacity and desire for deliberate and malicious violence and the feelings they may derive from it, are far more unpredictable and therefore unavoidable. As one viral commenter noted, “The worst thing a bear can do is kill you.”⁽⁹⁾ A bear’s aggression is largely defensive or predatory based on survival; they do not hunt humans for sport or derive psychological pleasure from causing pain. The distinction between “death” and “worse than death” became the crux of the debate, reminding the public that sexual violence, torture, and intentional suffering are traits uniquely associated with mankind.⁽⁷⁾
Women’s overwhelming preference for the bear is frequently mischaracterized by male critics as a failure of mathematical reasoning or a lack of wilderness survival knowledge. In reality, a deeper analysis reveals that the choice is rooted in an established, trauma-informed risk assessment that women have been utilizing for centuries.⁽²⁾ The fear expressed by women was not of dying, but of the manner in which they might die. As noted in the discourse, a bear will not rape you before it kills you.⁽⁶⁾
While the debate originated on TikTok, it migrated to other platforms rapidly within those first two months.⁽³⁾ On Reddit, the debate sparked hundreds of sub-threads where users shared personal stories of assault and harassment to contextualize their choice. Conversely, in male-dominated digital spaces, the discourse focused on a disturbing amount of toxic men attempting to explain to the rest why they were the specific demographic women feared.⁽⁹⁾ Many of those men characterized the women’s responses as irrational or misandrist, ironically proving the validity of the project. Over the past two years, the “Man vs. Bear” debate has permeated mainstream media, inspiring analysis in Forbes,⁽⁴⁾ Le Monde,⁽⁶⁾ and The Independent.⁽¹⁾
Perhaps the most searing indictment of modern society is the focus on community accountability in the aftermath of violence. Women who participated in the conversation consistently referenced the legal system as a primary motivator for choosing the bear. This is not isolated to the United States; there is a global epidemic of violence against women that habitually blames the victim rather than the perpetrator.⁽²⁾ There is no single “first” sexual assault case recorded in history because sexual violence has been a cultural norm since the dawn of civilization. Because the world refuses to love us enough to protect us, we must love ourselves enough to walk away from systems that fail us. The bear represents a form of violence that is socially accepted as a tragedy rather than a moral failing of the victim. Women attacked by a bear are not asked what they were wearing in the forest, how intoxicated they were, or if they flirted with the animal beforehand. The “he said, she said” dynamic of the justice system, compounded by abysmally low conviction rates for sexual violence, has taught women that their safety is rarely a priority.⁽⁷⁾
This debate revitalized the concept of “Schrödinger’s Rapist,” a term coined in 2009 by feminist blogger Phaedra Starling.⁽⁸⁾ It describes the necessity for women to treat all unknown men as potential threats because it is impossible to distinguish the dangerous ones from the safe ones until it is too late. In response to the viral debate, the majority of men became defensive and angry, further reinforcing the point the thought-project intended to make. Many men attempted to prove women wrong using statistics, arguing that encountering a random man is statistically safe while bears are apex predators.⁽⁹⁾ This insistence on logic served only to invalidate women’s fears, reinforcing the dismissal that led to the preference for the bear initially.
It was not until the question was reframed that these men began to consider the issue from a different perspective. When asked, “Would you rather your daughter be alone in the woods with a man or a bear?” the response was suddenly the same as the overwhelming female consensus they had just been arguing against.⁽⁹⁾ This shift revealed a global cognitive dissonance where men were offended when women viewed them as a threat, yet implicitly understood the threat random men posed to their own daughters. Feminist commentators highlighted this contradiction as proof that men are acutely aware of the danger their gender poses, even if they resent being associated with it personally. They finally understood that survival is the only thing that matters when the stakes are life and death.
In retaliation to the “Man vs. Bear” meme, counter-memes emerged implying women are emotionally unsafe or dismissive of male vulnerability. While these attempted to draw a parallel regarding emotional safety, they failed to gain equal traction because the stakes were perceived as vastly unequal. Women refused to apologize for prioritizing their safety, effectively rewriting the social contract to place survival above social comfort. Conservative commentators, including Matt Walsh and Ben Shapiro, weighed in on the debate, framing the “Choose the Bear” trend as evidence of “toxic feminism” and “misandry.”⁽⁹⁾ They argued that the trend demonized men and ignored the protective role men have historically played. Religious conservatives even attempted to debate the biblical implications, though some interpretations of scripture regarding the nature of wicked men seemed to inadvertently support choosing the bear.
By the end of 2025, the bear had been claimed as a symbol of feminine resistance to male violence. Merchandise featuring slogans like “I Choose the Bear” became common, cementing the thought-project as an international sensation. The bear now symbolizes a shared understanding among those who have been sexually assaulted, acting as shorthand for “I know my value, and I refuse to be gaslit.” Individuals of all genders have since expressed exhaustion with the lack of empathy demonstrated by the reactionary male response. Choosing the bear became an act of radical self-preservation, declaring that survival is more valuable than a stranger’s ego.⁽¹⁰⁾ As one commentator noted, the fact that men got angry at the hypothetical choice of a bear proved the very point women were making all along.
References
- Foster-Collins, L. (2024, July 17). Woman has scary close encounter with grizzly in Montana—But would still ‘choose the bear.’ The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/hiker-grizzly-bear-man-or-bear-viral-tiktok-b2581472.html
- Habliston, E. R. (2024). Beyond Bars: Exploring Alternative Possibilities to Address Sexual and Gender Based Violence. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 114(3), 677.
- Man or Bear in the Woods Question. (2024, March 19). Know Your Meme. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/man-or-bear-in-the-woods-question
- Murray, C. (2024, May 3). The ‘Man or Bear’ Viral TikTok Debate, Explained. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/05/03/man-or-bear-many-women-say-theyd-rather-be-stuck-in-the-woods-with-a-bear-in-latest-viral-tiktok-debate/
- Overview of Rape and Sexual Violence. (2010, October 25). National Institute of Justice. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/overview-rape-and-sexual-violence
- Philibert, M. (2024, June 21). Alone in a forest, most women would rather run into a bear than a man. Le Monde. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/our-times/article/2024/06/21/alone-in-a-forest-most-women-would-rather-run-into-a-bear-than-a-man_6675309_39.html
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. (n.d.). RAINN. https://rainn.org/
- Starling, P. (2009, October 8). Schrödinger’s Rapist: Or a guy’s guide to approaching strange women without being maced. Shapely Prose. https://kateharding.net/2009/10/08/guest-blogger-starling-schrodinger%E2%80%99s-rapist-or-a-guy%E2%80%99s-guide-to-approaching-strange-women-without-being-maced/
- Ulatowski, R. (2024, May 1). Man vs. Bear TikTok Debate Explained | The Mary Sue. The Mary Sue. https://www.themarysue.com/man-vs-bear-tiktok-debate-explained/
- Violence Prevention. (2025, July 10). Centers for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/index.html
We Stand Against ICE
by Lady Kaie
The current climate in the United States, for those watching around the world, feels bleak in respect to ICE’s escalating behavior. When this topic was mentioned amongst our staff at Myths and Mischief, a woman had not yet been shot and murdered by America’s new Gestappo. To ensure the safety of our fellow human beings, it is imperative to prepare for every possibility.
Most people are probably going to avoid ICE at all costs, and not to be drawn into a dispute with the agents. However, the reality of the situation is that we may come across a situation involving ICE whether we want to or not.
Through searching the internet for services that can help at risk communities, a theme began to appear. The question was, “How to stay safe with ICE agents?” The website sources at the end of this article explain the rights of each individual and approaches to take if someone encounters an ICE agent, whether in public or at home.
This is excellent information to know, and should be shared amongst friends, family, coworkers and other individuals in the community. Unfortunately, people have spoken up, asked questions, stated their rights, and the world watched as an agent murdered an innocent woman in broad daylight. Fear is palpable. No one can afford to be unprepared for a potential situation.
In today’s world, social media has been a blessing and a curse. In terms of dealing with ICE, it has the potential to be life-saving. Much like other movements where recording has helped bring corrupt individuals to justice, situations with ICE can be treated similarily. Across the internet some of the same themes popped up in general searches, and others are common approaches we use in everyday life:
Be Prepared
- Keep up with current events in your area
- Check for locations where ICE agents have been seen in your town.
- Know your community:
- Who are the safe people in your community?
- Who are dangerous people in your community?
- Keep your phone charged
- Carry an external battery just in case
- Keep your phone within reach
Most of us already do these things and are prepared to act if necessary. With ICE being unpredictable, safety is the number one concern for our country. Some of us may want to cause a scene or scream and yell to destabilize the agents, but this could result in even more problems. Panic and fear incite more panic and fear, and anger does not de-escalate a situation. De-escalation requires a calm, collected approach.
The Crisis Prevention Institute (1) offers ten steps that can guide a person through a stressful situation:
De-Escalation Steps
- Empathetic and non-judgmental
- Keep your language open and polite
- Maintain a respectful tone
- Respect personal space
- Do not crowd the agents; people lash out when they feel trapped.
- Non-threatening body language
- Keep your body language open and nonthreatening.
- Facial gestures, physical gestures, and any other threatening body stances should be avoided.
- Emotional regulation
- DO NOT get emotional.
- Do not yell or scream
- Keep your tone neutral
- Stay calm, even if you do not feel calm
- Take deep breaths to stabilize yourself
- Pay attention to feelings
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Be aware of the agents’ body language
- Be aware of the others in the environment
- Ignore being challenged
- Don’t be baited.
- Some people may look to challenge or instigate an argument.
- IGNORE those behaviors and redirect the conversation in a constructive direction.
- Set limits
- In this context, it may be hard to set limits
- Maintain your safety and the safety of those around you as much as possible.
- Negotiate when possible
- Negotiating may not be possible in situations with ICE.
- If you can get help from a police officer, it may be best.
- Silence is OKAY
- Don’t rush a silence; it can agitate someone.
- Silence may mean reflection, which is what you want
- Give time for decisions to be made
- Do not rush a decision.
- Be mindful of the language you use.
- You can clarify the directives
These steps are used for people in crisis, not necessarily with federal agents who are unpredictable. Some may not fit in this context, though most of them will be beneficial if a situation arises.
One thing that women have learned from a young age is not to be alone in certain social settings. The same guidelines can apply to ICE.
There is strength in numbers. If possible, do not go out alone. Offer aid to individuals at risk by going out with them for errands and appointments. As strange as it sounds, role-play. Prepare for a potential encounter and how you will react in the moment. Remember your de-escalation techniques and your rights in the United States.
The sites listed can help prepare for engaging with ICE as well as information about a person’s rights as outlined by the law.
This site has printable resources a person can refer to or carry on themselves in case they encounter ICE .
This site gives insight on how to respond to questioning and what to do if you come across ICE agents in public, or they come to your home. There is also advice for what to do if ICE takes someone into custody.
- https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/
These are dangerous times, and there may not be an end in sight just yet. By bonding together, using our resources, building community, and ensuring that our words provoke thought and not violence, there is hope that we may avoid more tragedy.
References
- “CPI’s Top 10 De‑escalation Tips Revisited.” Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), 27 June 2022, www.crisisprevention.com/blog/general/cpi-s-top-10-de-escalation-tips-revisited/
Stay safe, and stay informed as we all navigate through this darkness. We will find the light again, together.
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