The Seductive Danger of Symbolic Politics The Seductive Danger of Symbolic Politics
Symbols, as powerful as they can be, are largely a distraction.
Jan 21, 2016 / Mychal Denzel Smith
‘Chi-raq’ Reveals Spike Lee’s Outdated Race Politics ‘Chi-raq’ Reveals Spike Lee’s Outdated Race Politics
At its heart, Chi-raq is a critique of the hypermasculine posturing that props up so much gang violence—but it only examines what that means for men, not women.
Dec 14, 2015 / Mychal Denzel Smith
2.7 Million Kids Have Parents in Prison. They’re Losing Their Right to Visit. 2.7 Million Kids Have Parents in Prison. They’re Losing Their Right to Visit.
States have gutted family visitation programs in reaction to prison overcrowding, and racist ideas about black sexuality.
Dec 2, 2015 / Feature / Sylvia A. Harvey
Ben Carson Isn’t the Only US Politician With a Hand in Shady Latin American Dealings Ben Carson Isn’t the Only US Politician With a Hand in Shady Latin American Dealings
Duane Clarridge’s Iran/Contra history is horrifying—but it’s no worse than Hillary Clinton’s record in Colombia.
Nov 25, 2015 / Greg Grandin
Are We Training Cops to Be Hyper-Aggressive ‘Warriors’? Are We Training Cops to Be Hyper-Aggressive ‘Warriors’?
Thanks in part to the Black Lives Matter movement, police training is coming under fresh scrutiny.
Nov 10, 2015 / Joshua Holland
How an Unusual Team Helps Extricate Bronx Residents From NYC’s Justice System How an Unusual Team Helps Extricate Bronx Residents From NYC’s Justice System
The Bronx Defenders do more than go to court.
Nov 9, 2015 / Hélène Barthélemy
Ending Colombia’s 100-Year War Ending Colombia’s 100-Year War
Peace talks, nudged along by Cuba and the Vatican, might finally bring an end to the hemisphere’s longest-running civil war.
Oct 27, 2015 / Greg Grandin
Criminal Justice–Reform Legislation Is Missing 1 Crucial Piece Criminal Justice–Reform Legislation Is Missing 1 Crucial Piece
Failing to invest in civil legal aid is a recipe for ensuring that many people will end up behind bars again.
Oct 27, 2015 / Rebecca Vallas and Billy Corriher
The Senate’s Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Bill Only Tackles Half the Problem The Senate’s Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Bill Only Tackles Half the Problem
If we don’t face the injustice of the very existence of prisons, the root causes of mass incarceration will go unaddressed.
Oct 14, 2015 / Mychal Denzel Smith
Why Are So Many Women Behind Bars in Oklahoma? Why Are So Many Women Behind Bars in Oklahoma?
With twice as many women in prison as in other states, Oklahoma is the female-incarceration capital of the United States.
Sep 29, 2015 / Victoria Law