Monthly Archives: January 2021

Boredom + Sadism Drove Trumpists

By Robin Bates | Published: January 20, 2021

Boredom + sadism characterized Trumpism. The dynamic shows up in Samuel Richardson’s “Clarissa.” The country will hopefully flee back to maturity.

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The Changing of the Guard

By Robin Bates | Published: January 19, 2021

For Inauguration Day, I share Milne’s poem about the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

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When Hate Groups Devour Their Own

By Robin Bates | Published: January 18, 2021

Conspiratorial hate is feeding on itself. Toni Morrison and Joyce Carol Oates both describe the process.

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Angry Black Woman vs. Angry White Men

By Robin Bates | Published: January 17, 2021

For MLK Day, a June Jordan poem addressing angry white men.

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Can We Love the Morning Again?

By Robin Bates | Published: January 16, 2021

In this poem Levertov talks about the difficulties of loving the morning again after a night of horrors.

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The Significance of Warnock’s Election

By Robin Bates | Published: January 14, 2021

Let we forget, a black senator was elected in Georgia last week. Woodson’s poem honors the Civil Rights movement that made it possible.

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Flag of Freedom, Union of Light and Law

By Robin Bates | Published: January 13, 2021

Along with their violence, Capitol Hill insurrectionists desecrated the American flag in multiple ways. Whittier reminds us what the flag really means.

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Use Poetry to Teach American Civics

By Robin Bates | Published: January 12, 2021

Poetry can be used to teach core American values, which we need at the moment more than ever.

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Can GOP Wash Its Hands of Capitol Blood?

By Robin Bates | Published: January 11, 2021

While the Macbeths share many traits with Trump and his GOP enablers, they had least have the capacity for self-reflection.

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