Richard Kreitner

richardkreitner

Richard Kreitner is a contributing writer and the author of Break It Up: Secession, Division, and the Secret History of America's Imperfect Union. His writings are at richardkreitner.com.

Illustration of the Memphis Riot of 1866

The Roots of Today’s Racism and Police Violence, in an ‘Inconceivably Brutal’ Riot 150 Years Ago The Roots of Today’s Racism and Police Violence, in an ‘Inconceivably Brutal’ Riot 150 Years Ago

“The police headed the butchery” in Memphis in May of 1866, The Nation reported at the time, “and occupied themselves in shooting down every colored person, of whatever sex, of who...

May 11, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

Cesar Chavez in July, 1972.

We Are Judged by How We Treat the Helpless and the Poor We Are Judged by How We Treat the Helpless and the Poor

On his 89th birthday, it’s worth remembering how complicated and controversial Cesar Chavez really was.

Mar 31, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

The Good Liars with Rick Santorum

This Comedy Duo Is Masterfully Trolling the 2016 Campaign This Comedy Duo Is Masterfully Trolling the 2016 Campaign

They haven’t only crashed campaign events for Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton—they shot assault weapons with Rick Santorum.

Mar 15, 2016 / Richard Kreitner and Thomas Bollier

Will the Los Angeles River Become a Playground for the Rich?

Will the Los Angeles River Become a Playground for the Rich? Will the Los Angeles River Become a Playground for the Rich?

The revitalization of LA’s neglected riverfront has gone from social-justice crusade to money-soaked land grab.

Mar 10, 2016 / Feature / Richard Kreitner

Hillary Clinton and the Anti-Democratic Origins of American Politics

Hillary Clinton and the Anti-Democratic Origins of American Politics Hillary Clinton and the Anti-Democratic Origins of American Politics

The former secretary of state’s worship of the founders underscores the difference between her and Bernie Sanders.

Feb 8, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

Humans of the Iowa Caucus

Humans of the Iowa Caucus Humans of the Iowa Caucus

Profiles of 21 voters in the days before the caucuses.

Feb 1, 2016 / Photo Essay / Richard Kreitner and Thomas Bollier

Reeves riot

The For-Profit Sadism of ‘Incarceration, Inc.’ The For-Profit Sadism of ‘Incarceration, Inc.’

An article in The Nation thirty years ago was an early warning about the growth of the prison-industrial complex.

Jan 28, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

January 4, 2007: Nancy Pelosi Becomes the First Woman Elected Speaker of the House of Representatives

January 4, 2007: Nancy Pelosi Becomes the First Woman Elected Speaker of the House of Representatives January 4, 2007: Nancy Pelosi Becomes the First Woman Elected Speaker of the House of Representatives

“She will be aided if others turn up the heat on her, raising their expectations for what Democrats can achieve.”

Jan 4, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

December 31, 1865: The ‘Year of Jubilee’ Ends

December 31, 1865: The ‘Year of Jubilee’ Ends December 31, 1865: The ‘Year of Jubilee’ Ends

“There has probably been no year which the civilized world will have hereafter so much reason to remember.”

Dec 31, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

December 30, 1936: The United Auto Workers Sit Down on the Job in Flint, Michigan

December 30, 1936: The United Auto Workers Sit Down on the Job in Flint, Michigan December 30, 1936: The United Auto Workers Sit Down on the Job in Flint, Michigan

“Every night at eight the strikers’ band of three guitars, a violin, a mouth organ, and a squeeze box broadcast over a loud-speaker for the strikers and the women and c...

Dec 30, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

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