In the early 20th century, sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois coined the theory of double consciousness, in his case the realisation of being Black and American at the same time. This theory of identity friction, of being at once similar and different, has resonated with various marginalised groups in society, including the queer community. Artist Christina Quarles created drawings to a text by Du Bois at the request of Afterall Books.

For Metropolis M, Jessica Gysel meets with queer & feminist collectives that exhibit alternative ways of cooperation and collaboration. For her fifth and final text in this series, she speaks with Felicia von Zweigbergk, one of the founders of Amsterdam’s brewery Butcher’s Tears. ‘To work your way out of capitalism is really hard. But at least the hard work is ours.’

What do we transmit to the next generation? And can learning about our lineage bring us to a deeper understanding of society at large, or of ourselves? Marie Ilse Bourlanges researched the story of her grandmother who spent thirty years of her life in a psychiatric institution. It resulted in the book Mother's Milk. Liza Prins asks Bourlanges about intergenerational trauma and the conficts that come with telling someone else's story.