Culture

The Ten Best Albums of 2016

The Ten Best Albums of 2016 The Ten Best Albums of 2016

As the business of recorded music roils, the making of music rolls on.

Dec 14, 2016 / David Hajdu

American Radicals and the Change We Could Believe In

American Radicals and the Change We Could Believe In American Radicals and the Change We Could Believe In

The Obama era reminded us all that popular movements play an essential role as catalysts for political action.

Dec 14, 2016 / Feature / Eric Foner

Harvard University

Trumpism Poses the Most Dire Threat to Academic Freedom in Recent Memory Trumpism Poses the Most Dire Threat to Academic Freedom in Recent Memory

A shadowy new Professor Watchlist has revived the McCarthyite hysteria of the 1950s. We must fight back.

Dec 13, 2016 / Erik Loomis

Childish Gambino

The Donald Glover Experiment The Donald Glover Experiment

Who says the comedian, actor, rapper, TV writer can’t be everything all at once?

Dec 13, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Marcus J. Moore

Which Way Does the Arc of Obama’s Moral Universe Bend?

Which Way Does the Arc of Obama’s Moral Universe Bend? Which Way Does the Arc of Obama’s Moral Universe Bend?

Liberals once thought Obama would transcend race—but even his moderate views ended up provoking a whitelash.

Dec 13, 2016 / Feature / Joan Walsh

These Photos Show the People Who Turn a Cotton Plant Into Your Jeans

These Photos Show the People Who Turn a Cotton Plant Into Your Jeans These Photos Show the People Who Turn a Cotton Plant Into Your Jeans

Following the path of cotton from Burkina Faso to Bangladesh to your local mall.

Dec 12, 2016 / Photo Essay / Meta Krese and Jošt Franko

Was Barack Obama a Transformational President?

Was Barack Obama a Transformational President? Was Barack Obama a Transformational President?

Despite his bold promises, the president put more energy into rescuing, rather than changing, the old system.

Dec 9, 2016 / Feature / Robert L. Borosage

Donald Trump North Carolina

Taiwan Calling Taiwan Calling

“President-Elect’s Phone Chat Raises Fears of New Tensions and a Bolder China.” —New York Times subhead His ignorance is showing. Again, his cover’s blown. It isn’t just the tweeti…

Dec 6, 2016 / Column / Calvin Trillin

US Flag Post-Hurricane Irene

The View From 2050: Donald Trump Changed Everything The View From 2050: Donald Trump Changed Everything

If only this were science fiction.

Dec 6, 2016 / John Feffer

The Strange Career of American Exceptionalism

The Strange Career of American Exceptionalism The Strange Career of American Exceptionalism

…and Barack Obama’s curious role as its most ardent recent champion and prominent victim.

Dec 6, 2016 / Feature / Greg Grandin

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