Here is Kenneth Walker, of Louisville, Kentucky: After nearly two and a half years, a person connected with the Louisville Metro Police Department has finally taken some responsibility for the death of my girlfriend, Breonna Taylor. Since March 13, 2020, I have […]
Archives for August 2022
Joan Scott and David Bell debate history, presentism and power
In the wake of AHA president’s James Sweet’s “controversial” column in Historical Perspectives, David Bell of Princeton and Joan Scott of the Institute of Advanced Study have responded at The Chronicle of Higher Education. (See our coverage here and here […]
Is Trump’s “Big Lie” good for democracy?
Here is The Editorial Board: We all understand that the former president’s Big Lie is ruinous to democracy, the rule of law and republican government. It fueled the J6 insurrection. It inspired GOP legislators to enact draconian election laws. It […]
The Trump superstore!
Yes, such a thing exists. It is located in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Here is Jenny Powers at Business Insider: When I was in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I spotted a billboard advertising a Donald Trump superstore. My […]
What is popular this week at Current?
Here are the most popular features of the week at Current: Paul Luikart, “The Liberal Agenda in Higher Education“ John Fea, “My 2024 Presidential Election Predictions“ John Fea, “Happy Birthday, Felix Millan“ Robert Erle Barham, “Leave-Taking“ Elizabeth Stice, “Help the World, […]
REVIEW: One Cheer for Purdy
Jedidiah Purdy’s call for more self-governance raises a question: How far can better policy take us?
The American history some conservative evangelicals wish weren’t true
Baptist News Global’s Rodney Kennedy asked historians Randall Balmer, Bill Trollinger, and yours truly to suggest a few historical facts that conservative evangelicals wish weren’t true. Here is my contribution to the piece: Fea says evangelicals wish it weren’t true […]
“America’s only Christian conservative wireless provider”
Over at NBC News, Mike Hixenbaugh introduces us to Patriot Mobile, a 7 Mountain Dominionist business that is trying to take over Texas school boards. I was happy to help him with the piece. A taste: DALLAS — A little […]
Evangelical roundup for August 25, 2022
What is happening in Evangelical land? Russell Moore talks to Ezra Klein about the state of evangelicalism. Why do so many evangelicals vote Republican? Evangelicals in Brazil. Kenyan evangelicals call for diversity. Recent survey of evangelicals and women leaders. The […]
Happy Birthday, Felix Millan
Sometimes the heroes of our childhood become the heroes of our adulthood
World Socialist Web Site on the James Sweet “presentism” controversy
Historian Thomas Mackaman, writing at the publication of the world Trotskyist movement, has some pointed words for the American Historical Association president James Sweet and his critics. Get up to speed on the controversy here and here. Here is a […]
It’s Ron DeSantis vs. Charlie Crist in Florida
I will be keeping an eye on this race. Here is NPR: Democrat and longtime politician Charlie Crist has won the primary for governor in Florida and will face Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in November, according to a race call […]
Michael Gerson and Alan Jacobs remember Frederick Buechner
Vocation is where “your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” –Frederick Buechner Writer and theologian Frederick Buechner passed away last week. Michael Gerson remembers him: When the late Frederick Buechner — novelist, preacher, Christian apologist — was asked […]
Help the World, Find a Hobby
Connection and contentment might be a dance away
William Deresiewicz shares his experience on the academic job market and what he saw in his ten years at Yale
The author of Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite could not find another job after Yale denied him tenure. In this piece at Quillette he talks about intellectual corruption, careerism, and academic theory. A taste: For me, graduate […]
Advanced Placement African American Studies is here!
This academic year students at 60 high schools around the country are taking AP African American Studies. Here is Olivia Waxman at Time: The course will be the College Board’s 40th Advanced Placement course, and the first new AP course […]
Christian nationalists tackle William Penn
Watch: Anyone who has studied colonial America with me will immediately recognize the irresponsible version of Whig history present in this video. This looks like a piece of conservative activist propaganda trying to pass for American history. By the way, […]
“The very best thing about your life is a short stage in someone else’s story. And it is enough.”
Yesterday’s Current feature by Robert Erle Barham brought back a lot of memories for me. It is a must read for anyone sending their kids off to school this week. Here is a taste: “Please stay,” I said. “Please.” Now […]
The Liberal Agenda in Higher Education
In which a young man discovers that the brain was not made to live in a silo
Episode 45: Election Day 2004
The Christian Right gets George W. Bush another term. Episode 45: “Election Day: 2004” dropped today. Subscribers to Current at the Longshore level and above have access to new episodes of this narrative history podcast. Here is a teaser: If you like what you […]