On January 25th, the Harvard Kennedy School hosted a panel to discuss how candid conversations about differences in opinion contribute to healthy democracy and social cohesion. The event, which was held on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts,...
Democracy
Why Republican Lawmakers Should Ban “The Federalist Papers” from America’s Classrooms
As everyone now knows, since 2021, Republican legislators in several dozen states have banned or attempted to ban consideration of so-called “divisive concepts” regarding race and gender within public university classrooms. Foes of what Pen America rightly labels...
Dear Joe, What about Us?
You say that the state of the union, SOTU, is strong. That our democracy is working. Really? It is my birthday today. I promised my friends I was taking the day off. That means no writing or calls to action. But then I kept stewing over your talk last night. All the...
How ICORN Defended Artists and Freedom of Expression in 2022
As dangerous conditions intensified across the globe this year for writers, artists, and journalists, the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) persisted in its work to offer them protection. Ongoing conflict in in Yemen, Ethiopia, and Myanmar, Russia’s...
The New York Times Forgot it Peddled a ‘Red Wave’ that Never Came
Ahead of the midterm elections, exhaustive mainstream coverage from outlets including the New York Times cited polls and predictions claiming a “red wave” would beat out Democrats for control of key states and seats. Instead, Democrats came away with several wins,...
November Elections Spur Urgent Calls for Pro-Democracy Coverage
As the 2022 midterm elections approach in November, mainstream media have been covering the leadup to the vote with usual commitment to framing Republicans and Democrats equally, even as a subset of Republicans attack the integrity of elections to gain power. This...
Progressives Look Toward November to Fight Corporate Control
The semi-fascist Republican Party is positioned to win control of the House and has a chance of gaining a majority in the Senate. But demagoguery is not destiny. Progressives can help steer the future in a better direction over the next two months.
Media Weigh Democracy Against Ratings on Jan. 6 Hearings
On January 6, 2020, a mob of supporters to then-President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol during the certification of Joe Biden’s presidency. Violence ensued throughout the Capitol and the following months saw a continuous effort from Donald Trump and his...
An Earth Day Communiqué: The 9/11 Climate Banner
To commemorate Earth Day, April 20, 2022 This communiqué/report will address the controversy over a banner that was displayed at a recent climate justice rally in Albany, New York on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 and which subsequently focused on two state senators and the...
The Filibuster Killed Another Voting Rights Push
Last week, after two days of debate in the Senate, Democrats’ push for voting rights was quashed, as conservative Democrats Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin sided with the GOP to block a change to the filibuster, a tactic long used to undermine civil rights legislation....