i thought you were a marxist [pdf art zine]

“I Thought You Were a Marxist: And Other Sentimental Bullshit” is a digital art zine that gets the specific heartbreak of realizing your crush thinks student loan forgiveness is “unfair to people who already paid theirs off.” This zine is for everyone who’s ever mourned both a relationship AND their faith in their own judgment.

Sometimes, you don’t see the toxicity in a relationship right away. This zine explores the modern dating crisis where you can have incredible chemistry with someone until they casually mention they don’t “really believe in” climate change or think feminism has “gone too far.” It uses the chaos of the zine format to process the unique cognitive dissonance of being attracted to someone whose worldview makes you want to delete their number immediately.

The indie zine community has always been politically aware, but this digital zine specifically addresses the exhausting reality of dating while having actual convictions. It’s giving “I can’t fix them and also I shouldn’t have to” energy, which honestly is the kind of boundary-setting we all need to practice.

Perfect for readers who’ve ever had to explain why someone’s casual bigotry isn’t actually a “difference of opinion,” this zine offers validation and a reminder that you deserve someone whose politics don’t make you feel embarrassed to be seen in public with them. Download this digital zine and embrace your right to set standards that include basic human decency.

See also

Create

Creative Temperance: Finding the Sweet Spot Between Hustle and Flow

This zine is part of The Early Years Collection.