Tag Archives: racism

Baldwin, Cop Sadism, and MAGA

By Robin Bates | Published: May 18, 2023

In “If Beale Street Could Talk,” Baldwin captures cop sadism of the sort we also seen in Trump supporters.

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Faulkner: Racist in Life, Not in Fiction

By Robin Bates | Published: March 27, 2023

In life, Faulkner was a racist. In his fiction, he deconstructed racism brilliantly.

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Donne: Better to be Woke Than Asleep

By Robin Bates | Published: March 16, 2023

In “Good Morrow,” Donne delivers a timely message that it’s good to be woke.

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Lit that Features the N-Word: What to Do

By Robin Bates | Published: March 6, 2023

Now to teach White literature that employs the n-word? Balance with Black literature.

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Faulkner on Racism: Sadly, Still Relevant

By Robin Bates | Published: March 1, 2023

Faulkner’s “Absalom, Absalom!” understands White America’s race hatred in a deep way that is still revelant.

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GOP Attacks on the Poor? Read McCullers

By Robin Bates | Published: February 26, 2023

In “Heart is a Lonely Hunter” McCullers calls out rightwing attacks on poverty programs. Today’s GOP should listen.

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“Paradise” Explains Nichols Killing

By Robin Bates | Published: January 30, 2023

Toni Morrison’s “Paradise” helps explain why Black policemen would carry out the horrific killing of Tyre Nichols.

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Integration’s Child Pioneers

By Robin Bates | Published: January 25, 2023

Black children in the early days of integration report intense bullying from peers. Ozeki describes such childhood cruelty in “Tale for the Time Being.”

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Kindred’s Race Lessons

By Robin Bates | Published: December 13, 2022

Butler’s “Kindred” awakens us to our racial blindnesses.

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