How the “American Dream” Became Un-American How the “American Dream” Became Un-American
When plutocrats defend it, and democrats bewail its passing, it’s time to recall the original meaning of the phrase.
Feb 10, 2022 / Maria Bustillos
Manthia Diawara in the Archive of Postcolonialism Manthia Diawara in the Archive of Postcolonialism
His films put into practice the history of radical Black thought by placing generations of thinkers in conversation.
Feb 10, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Elias Rodriques
Is “The Matrix Resurrections” About Authorial Anxiety? Is “The Matrix Resurrections” About Authorial Anxiety?
At times myopic and contrarian, the latest entry in the series feels more like a copyright renewal than a narrative.
Feb 9, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Baseball Players Can’t Live on “a Cup of Coffee” Baseball Players Can’t Live on “a Cup of Coffee”
The media’s “billionaires vs. millionaires” view of the current baseball lockout is a major league lie. The vast majority of players who reach the big leagues don’t play long enoug...
Feb 7, 2022 / Kelly Candaele and Peter Dreier
What Art Spiegelman’s “Maus” Means to the Children of Survivors What Art Spiegelman’s “Maus” Means to the Children of Survivors
On banning the book that changed what we talk about when we talk about the Holocaust.
Feb 4, 2022 / Linda Mannheim
Muhammad Ali Was Our Last Great American Hero Muhammad Ali Was Our Last Great American Hero
The American dream may be coming apart at the seams, but the glory of The Greatest is in full flower and still growing. Why?
Jan 31, 2022 / Robert Lipsyte
Theater Kids and the End Times in “Station Eleven” Theater Kids and the End Times in “Station Eleven”
The HBO adaptation of Emily St. Mandel’s postapocalyptic pandemic novel examines, with mixed results, the endurance of art after society collapses.
Jan 31, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Story of Capitalism in One Family The Story of Capitalism in One Family
The Lehman Trilogy proposes that the downfall of a financial dynasty is enough to tell the economic and political history of America
Jan 26, 2022 / Books & the Arts / Alisa Solomon
The Surprising History of the Comic Book The Surprising History of the Comic Book
Since their initial popularity during World War II, comic books have always been a medium for American counterculture and for nativism and empire.
Jan 25, 2022 / Books & the Arts / J. Hoberman
When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun When Sidney Poitier Picked Up the Gun
Notes on a couple of native sons.
Jan 10, 2022 / Gene Seymour