How Chicago Killed an Innocent Man How Chicago Killed an Innocent Man
As an investigative journalism student, I helped uncover proof that should have cleared Anthony McKinney’s name. Instead, he died in prison.
Sep 18, 2013 / Ari Berman
Exit Weiner: A Confession Exit Weiner: A Confession
Though no one was at times much keener Than me to joke about A. Weiner, Though his transgressions, being serial, Provided us with rich material, I have to say that we were lucky That he got skunked. Those posts were yucky. And toward the end the jokes grew grim. I’m glad to see the back of him.
Sep 18, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Marshall Berman 1940–2013 Marshall Berman 1940–2013
No one has been more loving or lucid in his depiction, criticism and celebration of urbanity.
Sep 18, 2013 / Michael Sorkin
Will California Choose Prisons Over Schools—Again? Will California Choose Prisons Over Schools—Again?
Progressives supported Prop 30 to send more money to schools but now the funds are headed to prisons. How could this happen—and can it be stopped?
Sep 18, 2013 / Lori Bezahler
What Are Children’s Books For? What Are Children’s Books For?
A new exhibit, The ABC of It, asks grown-up questions about literature for kids.
Sep 18, 2013 / Lizzy Ratner
Frank Bruni, the Plutocrats’ Pundit Frank Bruni, the Plutocrats’ Pundit
All too often, the most prestigious perch in journalism—the New York Times op-ed page—is given to those who flatter the powerful.
Sep 18, 2013 / Column / Eric Alterman
George Zimmerman’s Way Is the American Way George Zimmerman’s Way Is the American Way
Instead of focusing on the psychology of Trayvon Martin’s killer, we should be examining the meaning of his actions.
Sep 18, 2013 / Column / Gary Younge
An Argument With Instruments: On Charles Mingus An Argument With Instruments: On Charles Mingus
How a jazz artist’s relationship to black identity gave his music its stormy weather.
Sep 17, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Adam Shatz
First Saturday of Summer in Virginia First Saturday of Summer in Virginia
Day lilies dotting the ditches orange, between tilting mailboxes, amid blue chicory and swales of yellow buttercups. Northwest on Jefferson Highway, alert for bright yellow signs printed YARD SALE, freight train clanging on my right. To follow arrows onto gravel driveways through the woods to arrive at run-down trailers or two-story homes with wraparound porches, wide front lawns and tables of children’s clothing, glassware, games, dolls, obsolete electronics. All around, blue tarps on wet grass with bags of worn quilts and sheets, paired shoes and boots, jeans laid out like Civil War soldiers piled in an open grave. To drive from sale to sale as the sun climbs the sky, blue as Hollywood eyes, coffee in a GO cup. To end at the Art & Craft Show at St. Jude’s, where men with orange flags direct parking across the street from mounds of mulch, gravel, sand, compost. To watch a teen tap dance to the beat of a jangly country song, swirling her flared skirt.
Sep 17, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Joan Mazza
Salaam Cinema: On Mohsen Makhmalbaf Salaam Cinema: On Mohsen Makhmalbaf
An Iranian director’s ongoing meditations on the nature of illusion and reality, truth and consequences.
Sep 17, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Adina Hoffman