Patricia J. Williams

Columnist

@madlawprofessor

Patricia J. Williams is University Professor of Law and Philosophy, and director of Law, Technology and Ethics at Northeastern University.

The Talking Helix The Talking Helix

DNA research increasingly allows us to collapse time and discover criminal guilt or innocence. That's why the Supreme Court's recent ruling against a prisoner's right to post-convi...

Jun 23, 2009 / Feature / Patricia J. Williams

Boxing Days Boxing Days

Elena Kagan has the intellect, toughness and fair-mindedness to make a great Supreme Court justice.

May 6, 2009 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Mrs. Obama Meets Mrs. Windsor Mrs. Obama Meets Mrs. Windsor

Michelle Obama defies the boxes in which women have been caged, expanding the force field of feminism in ecumenical and unsettling ways.

Apr 8, 2009 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Science and Supposition Science and Supposition

The new Obama protocols on scientific research will influence not just stem cells but climate change, genetics, sex education and food safety.

Mar 11, 2009 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Eight Is Enough Eight Is Enough

With the birth of Nadya Suleman's octuplets, we confront the virtues of motherhood, the ethics of fertility clinics and the myths we still concoct about childless women's worth.

Feb 12, 2009 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Drowning Our Sorrows, Lifting a Glass Drowning Our Sorrows, Lifting a Glass

A sobering toast to the dubious achievements of the worst president in American history.

Jan 15, 2009 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

American Dreams American Dreams

If the American Dream is a form of worship, we need new totems to fit new and troubled times.

Dec 11, 2008 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Uncooperative Housing Uncooperative Housing

As our spanking-new era of optimism dawns, ask yourself, How integrated is your neighborhood?

Nov 13, 2008 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Predatory Scapegoating Predatory Scapegoating

The real scandal of the year is that Eliot Spitzer, brought low by his own bad behavior, had predatory lenders in his sights.

Oct 16, 2008 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Lipstick Jungle Lipstick Jungle

Andy Warhol would have loved Sarah Palin. She really is the ultimate soup can.

Sep 18, 2008 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

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