A Website of the Radical Imagination
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
It seems I’ve been drafted to give the last word on a whole generation, a whole epoch of human life, struggle and whatever realization. The real boundaries of our lives are material as well as in our heads. The question is how do we use one dimension against the other. How do we fly when … Read more