Civil Rights Movement

Civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. relaxes at home in May 1956 in Montgomery, Ala.

Martin Luther King, Critical Race Theorist Martin Luther King, Critical Race Theorist

Republicans may claim otherwise, but the civil rights hero was no color-blind conservative.

Jan 15, 2024 / Sam Hoadley-Brill

Close up photograph of Amber Hollibaugh looking up into camerca

Revolution? Hell Yes!  Remembering Amber Hollibaugh Revolution? Hell Yes!  Remembering Amber Hollibaugh

The writer, who died last month, spent a lifetime breaking silences around sex.

Nov 28, 2023 / Obituary / JoAnn Wypijewski

Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington

Martin Luther King’s Dream at 60 Martin Luther King’s Dream at 60

King offered Americans the choice between acting in accordance with the constitution and resistance—often violent—to change.  In many ways, we face the same choice today.

Aug 28, 2023 / Eric Foner

Voters cast ballots on election day in Atlanta, Ga., on November 8, 2022.

A New Southern Strategy to Repair Our Democracy A New Southern Strategy to Repair Our Democracy

In spite of everything stacked against it, a new generation of progressive Southern voters is rising.

May 10, 2023 / Tory Gavito

Harry Belafonte, seated in an armchair, with Joan Walsh and Yoruba Richen standing behind him. All three are smiling.

The Gifts Harry Belafonte Gave Me The Gifts Harry Belafonte Gave Me

The singer, actor, and activist gave generously of his time and wisdom—not just to me but to the world.

Apr 26, 2023 / Joan Walsh

Harry Belafonte singing at a civil rights rally in Manhattan

Harry Belafonte Never Betrayed His Revolutionary Spirit Harry Belafonte Never Betrayed His Revolutionary Spirit

The singer and actor lived a radical life that never denied and never forgot the lessons he learned while standing at the side of his cherished mentor Paul Robeson.

Apr 27, 2023 / John Nichols

The Tragedy of “Till” Is Our Failure to Grasp Its Radical Politics

The Tragedy of “Till” Is Our Failure to Grasp Its Radical Politics The Tragedy of “Till” Is Our Failure to Grasp Its Radical Politics

Director Chinonye Chukwu shifts the lens from Emmett Till’s tortured body to Mamie Till-Mobley’s vibrant mind and the movement she helped spawn.

Feb 22, 2023 / Robin D.G. Kelley

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll Took Place 60 Years Ago Today

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll Took Place 60 Years Ago Today The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll Took Place 60 Years Ago Today

From Emmett Till to Hattie Carroll to Amadou Diallo to Freddie Gray to Breonna Taylor to Tyre Nichols—the senseless deaths caused by the racism embedded in the DNA of our country h...

Feb 9, 2023 / Marc Steiner

Bill Russell smiles.

Bill Russell Was a Revolutionary Bill Russell Was a Revolutionary

The death of the basketball legend at 88 should remind us of his courage off the court.

Aug 1, 2022 / Dave Zirin

What Is Organizing, Anyway?

What Is Organizing, Anyway? What Is Organizing, Anyway?

Change won’t succeed if we wait for it to happen from the top down. History proves that.

Jun 1, 2022 / Beverly Gologorsky

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