ANTHEMS IN A MINOR KEY: Another unusual feature of American life is the way in which minorities–most noticeably blacks–have shaped American culture. It’s not just the “greats”–Frederick Douglass, Invisible Man, Charles Drew. It’s the whole texture of American life, from spirituals to “Shaft” to “I Have a Dream,” from hairstyles to Coltrane. Harriet Tubman is an American hero; there’s just no point in even saying the words “American music” if you won’t talk about black people. There’s a fascinating book... Read more

WHERE NOBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME: The wallpaper on my desktop (and how’s that for a computing mixed metaphor?) is a film still from “A.I.” I haven’t seen the movie, which is probably all for the best; my reaction to the picture comes unconditioned by any Spielbergian annoyances. The still shows a quiet, rippling expanse of water, bounded by dark buildings like broken teeth. Up from the water rises the hand and torch of the Statue of Liberty. The image gets... Read more

“[T]he South believed an educated Negro to be a dangerous Negro. And the South was not wholly wrong; for education among all kinds of men always has had, and always will have, an element of danger and revolution, of dissatisfaction and discontent.” “And this course of study will not change; its methods will grow more deft and effectual, its content richer by toil of scholar and sight of seer; but the true college will ever have one goal,–not to earn... Read more

BLOGWATCH POSTSCRIPT: CATHOLIC STUFF. Sursum Corda: Emails from a priest and a religious who experience same-sex attractions. Plus evangelization; and a fantastic quote from St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel ceaselessly. If necessary, use words.” Michael Dubruiel reports on a “Catholic” hospital that has closed its maternity wing and awarded its “Spirit of St. Francis” award to a staunch supporter of abortion. Read more

I always feel like somebody’s watching blogs… Brink Lindsey: More good stuff on Zambia and free-market reforms. Charles Murtaugh: Possible cultural factors in the African AIDS epidemic. OxBlog: Nifty new blog from Oxford types, including Josh Chafetz (there’s your link–sorry it took so long!). Mark Shea: Good summary of the debate about the bishops’ proposed Day of Reparations for the priestly scandals. And the need for public repentance, not public relations. Unqualified Offerings: I can’t wait to read his long... Read more

YEAH, AND YOUR RESPONSE IS DISGRACEFUL TOO. The quotes in this story are shocking and disgusting. A 75-year-old man raped and impregnated a 10-year-old girl. He claimed she “enticed him.” Responses of the other residents in the senior center? Oh, we knew he “likes really young girls,” and “we all thought it was disgraceful,” but they never told anyone. After all, the rapist was “a nice guy.” Only the girl’s pregnancy made the man’s crimes public. She is planning to... Read more

AND SPEAKING OF NOT RESTING…: Here’s what I learned in New Haven: –I can still do three hours of sleep a night for three nights! Yay, coffee! –Some Indian food really is too spicy. –Oh, but it’s still so good…just one more bite…owww… –If you’re going to drink Dubra vodka, you might as well just drink antifreeze. Although I bet Dubra is cheaper. –Not all students are Organization Kids. At least twenty of them are willing to stay up ’til... Read more

RELIGION IS THE AMPHETAMINE OF THE PEOPLE?: So St. Mary’s rocked, as is traditional. Today I have very little time for posting, so I apologize in advance for this shankery, but I would like to riff a little on the homily I heard yesterday. The priest mentioned Marx’s line about religion as the opiate of the masses. One of the most common and appealing criticisms of religion is that it’s a con job to keep the powerless from revolt by... Read more

“If there’s anything I don’t like, it’s a smart-cracking dame.” –Jack Palance, “Panic in the Streets” Read more

CATHOLICS: Go read this. EVERYONE ELSE: Sorry for light posting. Have been plunged in the depths of research. Tomorrow: Long post on immigration and the American character. After tomorrow, this blog will go dark until Monday, since I am heading to sunny New Haven (ha) for a long weekend. Read more