Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Georgia O’Keeffe Painting and the Battle for the Soul of a Liberal Arts College

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I wrote a story for the New Republic about the controversy at my alma mater, Valparaiso University. Administrators intend on selling three of the artistic treasures from its on campus art museum, including a painting by American icon, Georgia O’Keeffe, to fund a dormitory renovation. Trashing O’Keeffe is emblematic of the broader demolition of the liberal arts throughout education in the United States. However, students and faculty are leading an aggressive and intelligent resistance.

Read at the New Republic.

Arlington Road: The Conspiracy Thriller that Foresaw the Spread of Far Right Extremism

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I have a new essay at CrimeReads. Part movie review and part political analysis, my new story delves into how Arlington Road, despite its flaws as a film, was prescient and profound regarding the threat of right wing terrorism in the United States.

Read at CrimeReads.

Appearance on Take on the South Podcast

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I was thrilled to sit down for an interview with Kent Germany, an American historian, for the Institute for Southern Studies at the University of South Carolina’s podcast, Take On the South. We discussed the momentous life and influence of Jesse Jackson, paying particular attention to his formative years in South Carolina. Listen here!

A Review of Norman Mailer’s Political Writing

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I have new essay in the Washington Monthly on the political work of Norman Mailer, and his strengths and weaknesses as a writer and social critic. He was prescient about the rise of fascist politics in the US, but off the mark on many other topics. Above all, he was fascinating, and composed some of the finest sentences in American literature. Read at the Washington Monthly.

New Essay at The New Republic: The Growing Religious Alliance to Ban LGBTQ Books

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I have a new article in The New Republic about the hateful campaign of book banning and censorship taking place in Dearborn, Michigan. It foreshadows the formation of a dangerous and powerful new religious right. Christian evangelicals have joined forces with conservative Muslims, putting aside their differences, to advocate for homophobia.

What is happening in Dearborn very likely functions as a preview for the future of fascism in the United States: Theocratic bullies clasping hands to assault not only LGBTQ rights, but educational freedom, public officials who oppose their agenda, and democracy itself.

I owe gratitude to Brandon Will, who was born and raised in Dearborn, for his generous research assistance.

Read at The New Republic.

New Essay at the New Republic: How San Francisco Helped Give Birth to Modern American Fascism

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I make my debut in the New Republic on how the assassination of Harvey Milk and George Moscone foreshadowed the fascism and terrorism of the contemporary right wing. The criminal defense of double murderer, Dan White, along with the outpouring of support he received from the San Francisco Police and so called “Christian conservatives,” provided a dark insight into the American right – one that, unfortunately, resonates today more than ever.

Read at the New Republic.

New Essay at CounterPunch – “Getting Away with Murder: Gov’t Mule as Model of Countercultural Excellence

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After attending a recent Gov’t Mule performance, which was characteristically intense, creative, and profound, I was inspired to write about the band as a model of countercultural excellence, advancing the tradition of everything from Walt Whitman’s poetry to The Grateful Dead’s freewheeling music. As an exercise in dissection, I attempt to determine what makes Mule’s music so uniquely powerful, and how it can serve as an instrument of hope for anyone attempting to color outside the lines in an increasingly cold and corporate culture.

Read at CounterPunch.

New Essay at the Progressive: Yes, We Can Call Them “Fascist”

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In my newest article, I make the argument that it is time to stop playing mealy mouthed games, and call the American right what they are: fascists. With help from the brilliant scholars on fascism, Paul Street and Anthony DiMaggio, and a reference to the late, great Italian historian and philosopher, Umberto Eco, I posit that “fascism” is the only term that accurately signifies the danger of the reactionary right wing political agenda.

Read at the Progressive.