Recently, I’ve written three stories:
I offer a detailed review and examination of the powerful poetry of Martín Espada. His work soars with artistic brilliance, while also grounding us in the harsh political realities of racism and injustice.
I also revisited Ted Kennedy’s “Robert Bork’s America” speech to consider how Democrats should, like the late Kennedy, give a full-throated denunciation of fascism, violations of human rights, sexism, homophobia, and assaults on the rule of law.
Finally, I wrote a tribute to my dear friend, Alanna Ford, who died in September. She was a member of the Rainbow/PUSH staff. In the essay, I consider not only personal grief, but the political permutations of mourning for someone dedicated to social justice, equality, and the enlargement of democracy.
David Masciotra 