History

Across the Border

Across the Border Across the Border

A new biography of William Henry Ellis reminds us how much we still don’t know about the elusive history of racial subterfuge in America.

Jul 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Michael A. Elliott

Gabby Douglas at the 2012 Olympic trials in San Jose, California (Peter Read Miller)

Out of Sight, Top of Mind Out of Sight, Top of Mind

A new book conveys the powerful role photography plays in sports. But the photographers are still something of a mystery.

Jul 15, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Ian F. Blair

Malcolm X with King Faisal

The Political Uses of Malcolm X’s Image The Political Uses of Malcolm X’s Image

For Muslim youth, interest in the black freedom movement is part of a larger turn toward an American conception of race—it fills a political void and offers a sense of belonging. B...

Jul 12, 2016 / Hisham Aidi

Kwame Nkrumah statue

The Insufficiency of Pan-Africanism as We Know It The Insufficiency of Pan-Africanism as We Know It

The fact that many people identify, however loosely, with being African doesn’t replace the need for the services that only a government can provide.

Jul 7, 2016 / Anakwa Dwamena

Svetlana Alexievich’s Voices

Svetlana Alexievich’s Voices Svetlana Alexievich’s Voices

At a time when populism is in vogue, the Nobel Laureate has gone in the opposite direction. We need to read her and listen to the people she hears.

Jul 6, 2016 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella

Burger_Nixon

A Supreme Legacy A Supreme Legacy

The conservative legacy of the Burger Court lives on in the precedents it set.

Jun 23, 2016 / Thomas Healy

Trump during primaries

How Not to Study Donald Trump How Not to Study Donald Trump

The “Trump Studies” syllabus was intended to mock his bigotry; instead, it served as a perfect example of white racism in academia.

Jun 22, 2016 / Greg Grandin

Paul McCartney Performing

Now He’s Amazed Now He’s Amazed

A stalwart critic of Paul McCartney becomes a fan.

Jun 22, 2016 / David Hajdu

USPS Snowstorm

USPS vs. Congress USPS vs. Congress

If ever there was a time to make a case for the Postal Service’s necessity in American civic, political, and cultural life, it may have already passed.

Jun 20, 2016 / Nathan Smith

Bad Intelligence

Bad Intelligence Bad Intelligence

David Price’s long battle against anthropology’s collaborations with the national-security state.

Jun 16, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Peter C. Baker

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