I’ve been expecting you to rain on “Obamamania” for years so your Harpers piece last month didn’t come out of the blue. Though it feels a little inapposite to mention…me since your analysis nicely eschews authorial narcissism. You don’t go in for the sort of brazen self-aggrandizement that makes other wannabe-prominent leftist critics of our … Read more

Newark has been accused of corruption. Often such extreme characterizations, like Booker’s twisted opponent in the NJ Senatorial races, Lonegan, talking about bodies floating in the Passaic, or his fascination with Booker’s sexuality, have specific partisan political uses. There was, though, Hugh Addonizio, Newark Mayor in the 60s, whom the courts indicted and convicted of … Read more

This twenty gun salute to Lawrence Goodwyn—late, great historian of social movements and exemplary democrat—amps up echoes from the memorial celebration that took place last month at Duke University in Durham. There are texts here of talks given by those who honored him then along with reflections by many other comrades. (F.Y.I.: Larry’s old friends … Read more

Lawrence Goodwyn—great American historian of democratic social movements (and First friend)—has died. The Times‘ respectful obituary covered Larry’s “authoritative” work on American populism, Democratic Promise: The Populist Moment in America, his role in the Civil Rights movement and Texas politics (where he once served as an advance man for Senator Ralph—“Put the jam on the … Read more

April 14, 1876 Lincoln Park, Washington, D.C. Delivered at the Unveiling of The Freedmen’s Monument in Memory of Abraham Lincoln Friends and Fellow-citizens: I warmly congratulate you upon the highly interesting object which has caused you to assemble in such numbers and spirit as you have today. This occasion is in some respects remarkable. Wise … Read more

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ first take on Obama’s impromptu speech after the Trayvon Martin verdict still seems on point: “No president has ever done this before. It does not matter that the competition is limited. The impact of the highest official in the country directly feeling your pain, because it is his pain, is real. And it … Read more

Skittles, iced tea, hoodie. Seventeen years old. It’s raining and he’s just walking around. Very suspicious. Though cops tell Zimmerman to stay in his truck, he needs to find a street sign. One vers- ion claims self-defense. Fox News anchors rave about gold teeth, suspension, drugs. Show Trayv- on pose tough, blow smoke. Never vary … Read more