Recent Columns

The Myth of Europe

By Stefán Snaevarr

When it comes to national identities, a Frenchman stands to a Portuguese like an American to a Mexican.

(more A Viking View)

Can Chuck D Speak? Rap, Race, and Rant

By Margaret Schwartz

. . . (W)hat happened that evening did not happen only to Chuck D or only to his audience, but what happened -- or what was mean to happen -- instead just snapped and slacked and fell in the air between us.

(more Anecdotal Evidence)

Bellbottoms, Bluebelles and the Funky-Ass White Girl

By Mark Anthony Neal

. . . the collaboration between Nyro and Labelle . . . placed the issue of gender and sexuality in the mix alongside traditional critical musings about race.

(more Critical Noire)

The Deer Camp

By Valerie MacEwan

The Deer Camp is about 20 miles into the next county, five miles down a winding stretch of dirt road, and smack in the middle of 200 acres of forest and swamp.

(more True Tales of the New South)

Lies, damned lies, and end of year polls

By Simon Warner

The old Broadway show gag comes to mind, 'No one liked it, only the public'.

(more Anglo Visions)

Missing Walter

By Valerie MacEwan

. . . I paid my stay-at-home-PTA-homeroom-chairperson-every-freakin-fieldtrip-chaperone-mother dues . . .

(more True Tales of the New South)

Russia; White, Red and Green

By Robert R. Thompson

I use Snickers to pay for taxi rides and to buy old Soviet medals from street vendors. People buy computer software from salespersons who tote up the price with an abacus.

(more Politics and Culture/East and West)

Harcourt, McRae and T-T: The Return of the Neurotic Boy Outside

By Simon Warner

These Neurotic Boy Outsiders have coped in different ways with the poisoned chalice of their own, often media-shaped image as restless, difficult and highly individual artists.

(more Anglo Visions)

Dividing the Horses from the Donkeys

By Robyn Sassen

(W)hile we have to remain philosophical about the projects that begin like race horses and end like donkeys, the spark is there for all manner of animal to pick up some speed.

(more Just Another Day in Africa)

I Want My Gay TV

By Stephen Tropiano

Much like Justice Potter Stewart's definition of pornography, '. . . I know it when I see it', I know the 'gay sensibility' when I see it.

(more The Prime Time Closet)

The Draculas’ Hometown

By Robert R. Thompson

Who are we outsiders to say that Romania shouldn't fully exploit the Dracula story, both real and imagined?

(more Politics and Culture/East and West)

Rights and Wrongs: TV Traumas Overshadow English Football Fervour

By Simon Warner

(more Anglo Visions)

Real Consequence

By Margaret Schwartz

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(more Anecdotal Evidence)

Mediations of Japan: Ashita ga aru sa

By tjmHolden

ReDotPop -- Ashita ga aru sa.

(more ReDotPop)

The E-Double and the Trouble Man: Marvin Gaye and Erick Sermon “Turn on Some Music”

By Mark Anthony Neal

Music aficionados and classic soul listeners are also likely up in arms at 'Music', Eric Sermon's digitized duet with the late Marvin Gaye, who was murdered by his father on April 1, 1984.

(more Critical Noire)

Mediations of Japan: Japan’s Beat Generation

By tjmHolden

ReDotPop -- Japan's Beat Generation.

(more ReDotPop)

Big Pimpin’ Bourgeois Style: the Demise of Tavis Smiley’s BET Tonight

By Mark Anthony Neal

: Like the surreal Laura Esquivel novel that Rashid 'Lonnie' Lynn invokes in the title of his brilliant new release Like Water for Chocolate.

(more Critical Noire)

Mediations of Japan: The O-N Series

By tjmHolden

ReDotPop -- The O-N Series.

(more ReDotPop)

Mediations of Japan: Brought to you by Public Transportation

By tjmHolden

ReDotPop -- Brought to you by Public Transportation.

(more ReDotPop)

Mediations of Japan: Ranma

By tjmHolden

ReDotPop -- Ranma.

(more ReDotPop)