Donald Sterling’s Impolite Racism Donald Sterling’s Impolite Racism
The embattled basketball team owner broke the rules of how one should go about being racist in America.
Apr 28, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
Racial and Environmental Justice Are Two Sides of the Same Coin Racial and Environmental Justice Are Two Sides of the Same Coin
Those of us who haven’t been paying enough attention to climate change can no longer take for granted that others will do the work. It’s time for all of us to show up. ...
Apr 22, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
Rural Counties Turn to Prisons for Economic Salvation Rural Counties Turn to Prisons for Economic Salvation
With coal not paying the bills, West Virginia has turned to prison construction.
Apr 21, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
We Built This Country on Inequality We Built This Country on Inequality
The wealth gap didn’t spring up from policy gone awry—it is the policy.
Apr 17, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
The ‘Real Racists’ Have Always Worn Suits The ‘Real Racists’ Have Always Worn Suits
The architects and gatekeepers of American racism have always worn neckties. They have always been a part of the American political system.
Apr 11, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
The Function of Black Rage The Function of Black Rage
Our impatience and rage is what has produced progress. That we are still impatient and angry reflects not black people’s failing but how far America still has to go.
Apr 1, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
The School-to-Prison Pipeline Starts in Preschool The School-to-Prison Pipeline Starts in Preschool
And we wonder why there’s an education gap.
Mar 28, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
Respectability Politics Still Won’t Save Us Respectability Politics Still Won’t Save Us
No matter who argues in its favor, be it Paul Ryan, President Obama or Jonathan Chait, the credibility of respectability politics is still dubious.
Mar 20, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
Like Obama Himself, My Brother’s Keeper Is Admirable but Flawed Like Obama Himself, My Brother’s Keeper Is Admirable but Flawed
While President Obama no doubt cares deeply about America’s inequality, his approach to solving it is flawed.
Feb 28, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith
Jordan Davis and the Refrain of Black Death Jordan Davis and the Refrain of Black Death
Dealing with the deaths of black youths is exhausting, but is the necessary work of undoing American racism.
Feb 18, 2014 / Mychal Denzel Smith