This Long-Lost Constitutional Clause Could Save the Right to Vote This Long-Lost Constitutional Clause Could Save the Right to Vote
It’s time to start enforcing Section 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Jan 21, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Richard Kreitner
Obama Brings the Work/Family Debate Out of Women’s Heads and Into the Mainstream Obama Brings the Work/Family Debate Out of Women’s Heads and Into the Mainstream
In his State of the Union address last night, Obama pitched universal childcare and paid leave—for both mothers and fathers.
Jan 21, 2015 / Blog / Bryce Covert
Republicanism vs. Multiculturalism in France Republicanism vs. Multiculturalism in France
The country struggles with religion and integration one week after the Charlie Hebdo murders.
Jan 21, 2015 / Column / Katha Pollitt
Ganzeer Versus the NYPD Ganzeer Versus the NYPD
One of the works appearing prominently in the Egyptian artist Ganzeer’s first US solo show has already been displayed to the thousands who attended this fall’s anti-police brutality protests. It’s a silkscreened print in yellow and blue, with a picture of Eric Garner being choked by an NYPD officer. Along the side, bold lettering reads: BE BRUTAL. The mock recruiting poster carries contact information at the bottom: NYPDKILLS.COM / 212-KILL-PEOPLE. Mohamed Fahmy, 32, who goes by the name Ganzeer (or “bicycle chain”) achieved international fame during the Arab Spring uprising in Egypt. For many foreign artists, a New York show might be viewed as an opportunity to focus an audience’s attention on their home country, but Ganzeer wasn’t interested. “I think that’s what they were expecting: ‘This guy’s from Egypt. He’s going to do a show about Egypt and the situation there,’” he said about being approached by the Leila Heller Gallery curator and Middle Eastern art expert Shiva Balaghi. But Ganzeer had other ideas; he wasn’t going to be Orientalized—a problem, he noted, that never seemed to be experienced by the British street artist Banksy or the Italian artist Blu. “I’m interested in making art about relevant things that are happening in the world,” he said. In other words, when in America, set your sights on America. “At first there was some hesitancy,” he said of the gallery, “but I think they really got into it.” Please support our journalism. Get a digital subscription for just $9.50! He arrived in New York in mid-May, his first trip to the United States. He began to immerse himself in American politics and history. “He’s been reading Howard Zinn,” said Balaghi. The only link to his Egyptian work is a reference to a poster that landed him in the clink. In 2011, Ganzeer and two associates were arrested by Egyptian security forces while hanging a silkscreen called The Mask of Freedom, of a man wearing a ball-gag and blinders, wings protruding from his temples. In the new image, the ball-gag remains, the blinder is replaced by a full Captain America mask with no eye holes, and the man sports a business suit. “Great American Mask of Freedom,” the poster reads, “since 1776 and still going strong.” At least for now, Egypt’s loss is our gain. Ganzeer’s show will be on display at the Leila Heller Gallery through February 21. Read Next: Michelle Chen on police unions
Jan 21, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ali Gharib
In the New World of Incarceration, Your House Is Your Prison In the New World of Incarceration, Your House Is Your Prison
So is your block, your school, your neighborhood… your city, state and country.
Jan 21, 2015 / Maya Schenwar
Rigoberta Menchú Vindicated Rigoberta Menchú Vindicated
Finally, after thirty-five years, the Guatemalan military is being held responsible for murdering forty Mayan peasants.
Jan 21, 2015 / Blog / Greg Grandin
Deflated Balls for Some, Miniature American Flags for Others! Deflated Balls for Some, Miniature American Flags for Others!
It makes perfect sense why people care about the NFL's latest scandal more than the State of the Union address: because it’s real.
Jan 21, 2015 / Blog / Dave Zirin
History Re-Dressed: Taylor Mac’s Queer History of American Pop History Re-Dressed: Taylor Mac’s Queer History of American Pop
A musical project of maddening ambition unearths—and invents—a gay history of America.
Jan 21, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
Charlie Hebd’overload Charlie Hebd’overload
The week when everyone forgot the definition of irony.
Jan 20, 2015 / Blog / Tom Tomorrow
Can Wall Street Take Down Big Pharma? Can Wall Street Take Down Big Pharma?
A Dallas hedge-fund operator says he's going to attack the pharmaceutical industry for over-pricing drugs.
Jan 20, 2015 / Blog / William Greider