Patricia J. Williams

Columnist

@madlawprofessor

Patricia J. Williams is University Professor of Law and Philosophy, and director of Law, Technology and Ethics at Northeastern University.

The Prying Eyes of Social Media

The Prying Eyes of Social Media The Prying Eyes of Social Media

The lack of regulation of online platforms puts our private lives up for sale.

Sep 20, 2022 / Feature / Patricia J. Williams

Remembering the Clarion Call of bell hooks

Remembering the Clarion Call of bell hooks Remembering the Clarion Call of bell hooks

My recollections of the late scholar, who revolutionized her fields.

Dec 21, 2021 / Editorial / Patricia J. Williams

How NOT to Talk About Race

How NOT to Talk About Race How NOT to Talk About Race

The right wants to convince America that critical race theory is a sinister program of indoctrination.

Oct 18, 2021 / 2021 Year in Review / Patricia J. Williams

balloons floating in sky

Untethered, or The Year of Living Virtually Untethered, or The Year of Living Virtually

Reflections on ruptured time.

Jul 14, 2021 / Something Is Happening Here / Patricia J. Williams

The Color of Contagion

The Color of Contagion The Color of Contagion

The pandemic has intensified racial disparities. We have to address them without reinforcing them.

Aug 24, 2020 / Feature / Patricia J. Williams

Donald Trump Is the ‘Undertaker’ of American Politics

Donald Trump Is the ‘Undertaker’ of American Politics Donald Trump Is the ‘Undertaker’ of American Politics

A master of political misdirection, the president hides behind the idea that he’s only doing schtick. But the joke is on us.

Jun 30, 2020 / Feature / Patricia J. Williams

Stop Getting Married on Plantations

Stop Getting Married on Plantations Stop Getting Married on Plantations

Monuments to slavery won’t lose their romantic allure until Americans understand the horrors of their own history. 

Sep 26, 2019 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Boorish Johnson

Boris Johnson Interviewed Me for His Column. Here’s What Didn’t Make It Into Print. Boris Johnson Interviewed Me for His Column. Here’s What Didn’t Make It Into Print.

On Brexit, race, and criminal justice, Britain’s new prime minister has always played both sides for maximum expediency.

Jul 27, 2019 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

American Flag Cameras

Artificial Intelligence Is Failing Humans Artificial Intelligence Is Failing Humans

When someone’s always watching, we lose our sense of self. 

Jul 16, 2019 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Eurovision 2019

Eurovision’s Muddled DNA Eurovision’s Muddled DNA

Pop genetics don’t belong in a musical event—or its marketing.

May 16, 2019 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

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