Kimberle Crenshaw for the Supreme Court Kimberle Crenshaw for the Supreme Court
It's the middle of the night after a very long day, so this will be a short entry. Exhaustion could keep me from weighing in briefly at this critical moment. With tonight's annou...
May 1, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
Why Black People Loved the First 100 Days Why Black People Loved the First 100 Days
On Monday the New York Times reported that the percentage of black Americans who believe race relations in America are generally good has doubled since July. This statistic forces ...
Apr 29, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
Being Black on Earth Day Being Black on Earth Day
There is no doubt that green is the new black. Suburbanites compete to have bigger recycling bins than garbage cans, to grocery shop using canvas bags, and to park hybrid cars in ...
Apr 22, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
Obama Handshake and the Politics of Civility Obama Handshake and the Politics of Civility
Why is it that Barack Obama's handshakes create such a stir? The Obamas fist pump congratulation after the North Carolina primary win sent Barack's candidacy into a bit of a racia...
Apr 21, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
Pirates, Pornographic Protests, and a Puppy Pirates, Pornographic Protests, and a Puppy
I haven't followed U.S. news in nearly two weeks. I was traveling in South Africa and I was determined to stay focused on local elections and issues. So to get back on track with ...
Apr 17, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
U.S. Racial Exports U.S. Racial Exports
Here in Cape Town I have had to confront the global reach of U.S. black cultural exportation. I have heard the following statements from black South Africans: "Racism seems ...
Apr 7, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
Black Citizenship and South Africa Black Citizenship and South Africa
Last week I delivered the W.E.B. Du Bois lectures at Harvard University. In this series of lectures I took up issues surrounding African American citizenship in the contemporary Un...
Apr 6, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
Farewell John Hope Franklin Farewell John Hope Franklin
Yesterday the great Historian John Hope Franklin passed away at the age of 94. I did my doctoral work at Duke University and had the the opportunity to encounter Professor Frankli...
Mar 26, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
Our Budget, Our Selves Our Budget, Our Selves
Few processes are more revealing of our commitments, our priorities, and our core beliefs than budgeting. This is true for individuals, families, institutions, and nations. How we ...
Mar 24, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry
The New “Welfare Queens” The New “Welfare Queens”
I am deriving a quirky and somewhat devious pleasure from the current rhetoric surrounding the AIG bonus debacle. I've noticed that members of Congress, media outlets, and the gen...
Mar 19, 2009 / The Notion / Melissa Harris-Perry