Anthony Rayson zine collection

The Biographical series contains Anthony Rayson's speeches, presentations, interviews, early writings, materials related to events he participated in, and materials documenting his involvement in Chicagoland activism. Much of the content in this series in zine format indicated by title and author/creator. Non-zine materials include early writings (essays) that coincide with and predate Rayson's long-running zine Thought Bombs. Additional non-zine items include flyers and other ephemera documenting his community involvement with protests against the Peotone Airport, Illiana Expressway, and Crete Immigration Detention Center. Please note that Each One, Teach One zines include two-way interviews between Rayson and prisoners. Also, zines produced by or for Rayson's immediate family are located in the Personal series and Poetry series.

The Anarchism series contains zines with content mostly about anarchism or contain easily identifiable anarchist perspectives on particular topics. Merriam-Webster defines anarchism as "a political theory holding all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable and advocating a society based on voluntary cooperation and free association of individuals and groups." This series includes early anarchist writings, material from contemporary networks such as Anarchist Black Cross (ABC), and writings from prisoners. Please note that ABC work specifically related to prisons and incarceration are mainly located in the Prison series. Additional imagery, references, and perspectives related to anarchism can be found to some extent in every other seriesin the collection as well.

The Art series contains mostly photocopied, original artwork created by prisoners. Examples of artwork include drawings, paintings, cartoons, and collages. Some art is presented in zine format, indicated by title. Please note that images from this series can be found within zines throughout entire collection. Additional artwork is located in the Comics series and Oversized series.

The Catalogs, Directories, and Resource Lists series contains zines and promotional materials mostly advertising resources for prisoners and/or publications related to anarchism.

The Comics series contains zines with content in a comic strip format. Narratives in the comics are mostly political, and many relate to the prison industrial complex. Additional artwork can be located in the Art series.

The DIY and How-to series contains zines mostly intended as resources for prisoners navigating the legal system and/or trying to improve their experience in prison. Many zines in this series are authored by incarcerated people based on their own experiences. Additional legal and other resources for prisoners are located in the Catalogs, Directories, and Resource Lists series.

The Feminism series contains zines with content mostly related to women's rights and gender equality. Additional zines with content presented from a woman's point of view or focused on gender in relation to a particular topic are located in most series throughout the collection.

The Health series contains zines and other materials with content focused on physical and mental health. Additional health-related resources are located in the Catalogs, Directories, and Resource Lists series.

The Literary series contains zines featuring short stories and other works of fiction. Zines containing mostly poems are located in the Poetry series

The Music series contains zines with significant content related to music, particularly punk and hardcore. Content includes band interviews, album and show reviews, song lyrics, and references to punk culture. Many of the zines also contain anarchist and other political commentary.

The Personal series contains zines with content related to the creator's personal experience, opinions, and interests (often referred to as "perzines"). Additional zines that can also be categorized as personal are located throughout the collection.