Monthly Archives: August 2018

Many Ways To Stand Up to Racism

By Robin Bates | Published: August 10, 2018

I share a Nikki Giovanni poem in memory of Heather Heyer, along with those who were badly injured by angry white supremacists.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Rosa Parks", Charlottesville demonstrations, Nikki Giovanni, racism | Comments closed

Embattled Humanities Remain Vital

By Robin Bates | Published: August 9, 2018

The humanities at the moment are reeling but society’s need for them is as urgent as ever.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Under Which Lyre", Liberal arts education, W. H. Auden | Comments closed

Trump Crimes in Plain Sight (Poe, Borges)

By Robin Bates | Published: August 8, 2018

To understand how Trump can commit crimes in plain sight, read Poe and Borges.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged collusion, Death and the Compass, Donald Trump, Edgar Allan Poe, Jorge Luis Borges, mainstream media, Purloined Letter, Vladimir Putin | Comments closed

Buchanan Would Be a Trump Enthusiast

By Robin Bates | Published: August 7, 2018

“Great Gatsby” describes life under Trump to a tee, with Tom Buchanan an archetype of the wealthy Trump supporter.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Donald Trump, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Great Gatsby, Income inequality, Trump's border separation policy, zero tolerance | Comments closed

The Trauma of Losing a Parent

By Robin Bates | Published: August 6, 2018

Korean American poet S. K. Kim imagines a child searching for memories of a lost parent. How many children separated by Trump will have that trauma?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Tree of Uncertainty", border separations, Suji Kwock Kim | Comments closed

Jesus as a Gardener

By Robin Bates | Published: August 5, 2018

Sunday Perhaps I should have saved today’s joyous poem by Andrew Hudgins for the spring growing season since it associates Easter with new growth, but you’re getting it today because I enjoy it so much. To set it up, I’m also posting a poem by Lucille Clifton, which also focuses on Easter fertility imagery. “Christ […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Ascension", "Christ the Gardener", "Kitten", "spring song", Andrew Hudgins, Easter, fertility, gardening, Lucille Clifton, Mary Oliver | Comments closed

Elemental Joy in California’s Wildfires?

By Robin Bates | Published: August 3, 2018

Friday Just as warming waters are causing bigger and more frequent hurricanes, so climate change is contributing to the intensity of California’s wildfires. The fires this year so far have burned 98,000 acres and killed six people, who can be added to the 44 who died last year. An essay I wrote last October remains […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Brother Fire", California wildfires, Carr Fire, climate change, extreme weather events, Louis MacNeice | Comments closed

Attacked Journalists Should Read Ibsen

By Robin Bates | Published: August 2, 2018

Henrik Ibsen’s protagonist in “Enemy of the People” offers a model for journalists under attack by Trump.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged climate change, Donald Trump, Enemy of the People, Heinrik Ibsen, Journalism, scientists, Trumps attacks on the media | Comments closed

Did Liberalism Lead to Trump? Uh, No

By Robin Bates | Published: August 1, 2018

Some blame Voltaire, Rousseau, and the Enlightenment for the rise of fascism. “Candide” suggests they’re not to blame.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments closed