2021 Year in Review

The Collective Trauma in ‘Mare of Easttown’

The Collective Trauma in ‘Mare of Easttown’ The Collective Trauma in ‘Mare of Easttown’

Unlike a standard true crime show, the HBO series focuses less on the mystery at its center and more on the community that must bear its consequences.

Jul 14, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz

Utopia and Dystopia Are Twins—Both Are Born Out of Criticism

Utopia and Dystopia Are Twins—Both Are Born Out of Criticism Utopia and Dystopia Are Twins—Both Are Born Out of Criticism

But it is only Utopia that allows us to dream together.

Jul 14, 2021 / Feature / Jeet Heer

Brandon Taylor’s Potlucks and Parties

Brandon Taylor’s Potlucks and Parties Brandon Taylor’s Potlucks and Parties

In his new collection of short stories, the Booker-Prize nominated novelist explores the desires and discontents of people living in small university towns. 

Jul 13, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Jennifer Wilson

MacKenzie Scott

Meet MacKenzie Scott, Our New Good Billionaire Meet MacKenzie Scott, Our New Good Billionaire

With Bill Gates in disgrace, oligarchy's apologists have been pushing Scott as a replacement. But is Jeff Bezos's ex-wife really an improvement?

Jul 9, 2021 / Tim Schwab

Haiti Has Been Abandoned—by the Media, the US, and the World

Haiti Has Been Abandoned—by the Media, the US, and the World Haiti Has Been Abandoned—by the Media, the US, and the World

Human rights activist Antoinette Duclaire’s murder is the latest for a country in chaos—where an obsession with elections obscures a complete absence of democracy or accountability...

Jul 6, 2021 / Amy Wilentz

Gayatri Spivak: ‘The Subaltern Speaks Through Dying’

Gayatri Spivak: ‘The Subaltern Speaks Through Dying’ Gayatri Spivak: ‘The Subaltern Speaks Through Dying’

A conversation on the educational empowerment of rural poor in India, and the evolution of Spivak's thinking about state and citizen.

Jul 6, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Francis Wade

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy

Nancy Pelosi Outplays Kevin McCarthy Once Again Nancy Pelosi Outplays Kevin McCarthy Once Again

The House minority leader threatens GOP members who agree to serve on the Select Committee to investigate January 6. But Liz Cheney defies him, and now Pelosi has a quorum.

Jul 1, 2021 / Joan Walsh

Aziz Ansari

The Unfinished Evolution of Aziz Ansari The Unfinished Evolution of Aziz Ansari

With the latest season of Master of None, the comedian and director’s attempt at a reboot of his creative approach reveals the limits of his perspective.

Jun 23, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi

Raoul Peck’s World

Raoul Peck’s World Raoul Peck’s World

In Exterminate All the Brutes, Peck offers a bold new history of colonialism and violence.

Jun 14, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Ed Morales

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

AMLO Has Been a Disappointment to the World—for Mexico, He’s Been Far Worse AMLO Has Been a Disappointment to the World—for Mexico, He’s Been Far Worse

The Mexican president’s botched Covid response and his lean toward militarization indicate that he takes his cues from the past, not the future.

Jun 4, 2021 / Dawn Paley

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