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.

Donald Trump Iowa Campaign Stop

How Donald Trump’s Words Create Emergencies How Donald Trump’s Words Create Emergencies

A linguistic political analysis.

May 18, 2017 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Milo Yiannopoulos Press Conference

Can Words Be Violent? Can Words Be Violent?

On Milo Yiannopoulos, the First Amendment, and words that have consequences.

Mar 16, 2017 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Senator Warren reacts to Sessions' hearing

Honor Is a Tool for Repression in the Age of Trump Honor Is a Tool for Repression in the Age of Trump

Shutting up Elizabeth Warren is part of a long tradition of upholding gentlemen’s status at the expense of truth.

Feb 16, 2017 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

The Holman Rule Once Allowed Congress to Purge Leftists From Government Agencies—Now It’s Back

The Holman Rule Once Allowed Congress to Purge Leftists From Government Agencies—Now It’s Back The Holman Rule Once Allowed Congress to Purge Leftists From Government Agencies—Now It’s Back

The effects could be far-reaching.

Jan 19, 2017 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Obama Did Not Fail Us—We Failed Each Other

Obama Did Not Fail Us—We Failed Each Other Obama Did Not Fail Us—We Failed Each Other

On Barack Obama’s presidency, Trayvon Martin’s death, and the storm clouds of 2016.

Dec 13, 2016 / Feature / Patricia J. Williams

Donald Trump Debate

Trump Thinks the Law Is for Wusses Trump Thinks the Law Is for Wusses

But guess who’s really getting conned.

Dec 1, 2016 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Police surveillance

Americans Are Finding New Ways to Join the Surveillance State Americans Are Finding New Ways to Join the Surveillance State

Some of them aren’t pretty.

Nov 7, 2016 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Clinton Trump first debate

The Unhinged Backlash That Would Greet Our First Female President Is Already Upon Us The Unhinged Backlash That Would Greet Our First Female President Is Already Upon Us

Trump is leading the way.

Oct 5, 2016 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Trump with a bullhorn

Trump Doesn’t Want to Lead the Country—He Wants to Lead a Culture War Trump Doesn’t Want to Lead the Country—He Wants to Lead a Culture War

And for you to shut up and listen.

Sep 8, 2016 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

Stand your ground laws

The ‘Ground’ in ‘Stand Your Ground’ Means Any Place a White Person Is Nervous The ‘Ground’ in ‘Stand Your Ground’ Means Any Place a White Person Is Nervous

It’s not just about property anymore.

Aug 15, 2016 / Column / Patricia J. Williams

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