Arts + Culture
Music
How One Muslim American Uses Hip-Hop to Heal Wounds
Aspiring rapper Cyrus McGoldrick is working to change the dialog around anti-Muslim sentiment in America.
By Madeleine Dubus, Thursday July 29, 2010
Music
Why the History of Hip-Hop Should Be Taught in School
When the Texas School Board finalized its updated history curriculum much of the attention was focused on the strange omission of Thomas Jefferson from a list of revolution-stoking writers. But among the hundreds of changes, one little-noticed change to the curriculum was an introduction of music influences on U.S. culture to the high school classroom.
By By Andrew Bluebond, Friday July 2, 2010
Books
Facebook, Love It or Hate It, Changed the Game Forever
The outsized ambition of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg shows the advantages and disadvantages of going ahead of the curve.
By Adam Peck, Monday June 28, 2010
Books
Is a Four-Year Degree Still Worth It? Maybe Not.
A new book that examines the cult of higher education makes us wonder what that high-priced tuition is worth after all.
By Lisa Gillespie, Tuesday May 25, 2010
Books
The Botswana Success Story: How One African Country Slowed the AIDS Crisis
A new book tells the story of how some advocates turned their country around in the midst of an HIV/AIDS epidemic.
By Rebecca Foerg-Spittel, Friday May 21, 2010
Books
How Surpassing the South Doesn't Automatically Make You a Grown Up
In a new memoir on moving from the South to the Northeast, the author largely falls into all-too-typical stereotypes about what it means to be an adult.
By Lisa Gillespie, Wednesday May 19, 2010
Books
Book Argues 'Obama Zombies' Will Destroy America
In his new book, Jason Mattera argues that young progressives are unwitting minions for Obama’s socialist agenda—but he neglects to mention some key facts.
By Michael Corcoran, Wednesday May 5, 2010
Field Report
Photos: Cuba's Inequality
Since the revolution in 1959, Cuba has seen myriad changes, both good and bad. What exists now is a nation of both staggering equality and staggering inequality.
By Chris Lewis, Thursday April 29, 2010
Books
How Amanda Marcotte's Book Falls Short of Even Her Expectations
Though it could have been great, feminist journalist Amanda Marcotte’s new book is both incomplete and occasionally hypocritical.
By Pema Levy, Wednesday April 28, 2010
Field Report
Will the iPad Revolutionize Higher Education?
The iPad is fun to play with, but Apple’s latest gadget might also be a valuable resource for students looking to save on textbooks.
By Adam Peck, Monday April 26, 2010
Field Report
Students Work to Pay $50,000 Tuition on Their Own at Northwestern University
At Northwestern University, many students earn their degrees not just by passing tests, but by paying their own tuition bills, too.
By Jaimie Hwang, Friday April 23, 2010
Music
A South African Rapper Takes on AIDS and the Status Quo in Hip Hop
23-year-old hip-hop artist Pelé Maree, who raps about everything from HIV prevention to political assassinations, is drawing the attention of music fans and social justice advocates alike.
By Andrew Bluebond, Friday April 23, 2010
Field Report
Earth Day Doesn’t Really Matter Anymore
What was initially a policy changing day of action has become a lot of talk at a Sting concert. Is Earth Day dead?
By Tristan Fowler, Thursday April 22, 2010
Books
New Book Explores Women's Periods
A book on the history of feminine care products explores the history—and shame—of the monthly period with more than a little irreverence and humor.
By Caroline Hagood, Wednesday April 21, 2010
Field Report
Five Ways to Avoid a Terrible Internship
Not all internships are created equal, so here are some tips to ensure you get everything you’d like out of educational employment.
By Andrew Bluebond, Thursday April 15, 2010
Books
How Eating Meat Is Like Sexism and Racism
In her new book, Dr. Melanie Joy links sexism, racism, and—very probably—your diet. Are you a carnist?
By Lisa Gillespie, Tuesday April 13, 2010
Field Report
Out on the Field
Some of the teammates on Kent State’s women’s rugby team are gay, but for the team, it’s a non issue. So why does the idea of LGBT students in the locker room still make so many uncomfortable?
By Kristine Gill, Thursday April 8, 2010
Field Report
Getting off the Bottle
Some colleges are starting to ban wasteful plastic water bottles, but the challenges are sometimes greater than one might think.
By Tristan Fowler, Thursday April 8, 2010
Field Report
Cuba's Young People in Pictures
You’ve heard about Fidel, Che, and the Bay of Pigs. But what about the Red Bull-sponsored skating demos and parks dedicated to British rock stars?
By Chris Lewis, Friday April 2, 2010
Films + TV
The Yes Men Trick the World
Two college professors from the suburbs stole billions from a multibillion dollar chemical corporation and got away with it—and you can too.
By Lisa Gillespie, Monday March 29, 2010
Field Report
Food Fight
At a school in Connecticut, students, administrators, and lunch ladies are battling over what they can and can’t stomach.
By Alice Walton, Wednesday March 17, 2010
Books
Memoir of a War Child
Emmanuel Jal’s new memoir offers a fresh perspective on growing up as a Sudanese child solider — and surviving the aftermath.
By Brittany Shoot, Friday March 12, 2010
Books
Rebuilding Media
In the face of a rapidly changing industry, two books offer bold visions of what the future of media could look like.
By Michael Corcoran, Tuesday March 9, 2010
Field Report
In Havana, a Real Education
This year, almost 100 students from the United States are studying abroad in Cuba. What they’re learning—in classrooms and bread lines—will probably surprise you.
By Chris Lewis, Thursday March 4, 2010
Field Report
Sweet and Sour
America’s Chinese restaurants represent the cultural divide of the East and West as Chinese immigrants struggle for survival.
By Lisa Gillespie, Monday February 22, 2010
Books
College Marriage or Hook-Up Culture?
A book on the gray area between dating and marriage leaves out men and LGBT people.
By Kay Steiger, Saturday February 13, 2010
Books
'To the Next Generation of Rebel Voices'
The late historian Howard Zinn brought a new approach to college history departments—and youth activism—around the country.
By Michael Corcoran, Tuesday February 2, 2010
Books
From Grrrls to Womyn
How modern rock women found their voices through the riot grrrl movement in the 1990s.
By Erin Polgreen, Friday January 29, 2010
Films + TV
Second Homeland
A new PBS documentary will examine New Orleans’ Vietnamese immigrant community, a group that faced a battle over a toxic landfill after Hurricane Katrina.
By Kim Leung, Wednesday January 27, 2010
Mock U
Jesse and Tad's Excellent Credit Adventures
Could an AmEx card marketed to twentysomethings be any more absurd?
By Jesse Singal, Wednesday January 13, 2010
underreview
Under Review: 'Real World D.C.'
An openly bisexual cast member on D.C.‘s real world is making the personal political among a cast that seems otherwise short on civic engagement.
By Kay Steiger, Friday January 8, 2010
Films + TV
About Avatar ...
James Cameron’s new film may not suck, exactly, but it was still unimaginative.
By Jesse Singal, Wednesday January 6, 2010
Field Report
Teach for America Dropouts
Despite Obama’s hopes, some Teach for America alumni say the program is deeply flawed. Some even leave before the end of their two-year commitments.
By Kristi Eaton, Tuesday January 5, 2010
underreview
Under Review: Soldiers in the War on Christmas
Each year, the volume of “War on Christmas” coverage briefly edges out coverage of real wars. Here’s a look at some of the scuffles from this year.
By Kay Steiger, Cord Jefferson, and Erin Rosa, Friday December 18, 2009
Know Your Right-Wing Ideologues
Comedian Steven Crowder
The bigoted and frighteningly violent conservative Internet sensation is far from being just for laughs.
By Delaney Rohan, Wednesday December 16, 2009
Books
Where Activism is Born
A new book examines the activism of high school students in 2002. The study is an early indicator of young activists today.
By Erin Rosa, Monday December 14, 2009
underreview
Under Review: Cafeteria Horror Stories
This week, America discovered its school lunches are more dangerous and unhealthy than a Burger King Whopper. Today, horrible cafeteria food is under review.
By Andrew Bluebond, Drew Seman, Arielle Fleisher, and a Virginia public schoolteacher, Friday December 11, 2009
Field Report
Facebook Won't Kill the Class Reunion
Some think Facebook eliminates the need for face-to-face meetups with former classmates, but online networking actually makes people more likely to want to see each other in person.
By Tanya Paperny, Thursday December 10, 2009
Field Report
Tea Partying
Yes, the Tea Party documentary is negligible, but its fans aren’t.
By Jake Blumgart, Monday December 7, 2009
Films + TV
What 'Dexter' Can Teach America
In its new season, Showtime’s ‘Dexter’ is slyly taking on the death penalty.
By Andrew Bluebond, Wednesday November 25, 2009
Films + TV
Don't Take It Seriously
The latest Twilight movie isn’t just some silly love story. It strays uncomfortably close to a morality tale that teaches all the wrong lessons.
By Emily Rutherford, Monday November 23, 2009
underreview
Under Review: A Brief History of Fox News' Fibbing
After being caught lying twice in the past two weeks, Fox News and its tendency to be untruthful are under review.
By Cord Jefferson and Andrew Bluebond, Friday November 20, 2009
underreview
Under Review: VideOhNos
This week, we pull the plug on three terribly regressive music videos.
By Cord Jefferson, Kay Steiger, and Becca Russell-Einhorn, Friday November 13, 2009
Field Report
I Need a Heroine
It’s been a long and rocky road for super heroines. But thanks to intrepid online activism and a new generation of creators, it might finally be their time to shine.
By Erin Polgreen, Thursday November 12, 2009
underreview
Under Review: The Troubling Resurgence of Blackface
This week, we bear witness against the recent barrage of pop culture minstrelsy.
By Cord Jefferson, Kay Steiger, Delaney Rohan, and Andrew Bluebond, Friday November 6, 2009
Books
Jim Cramer’s Mad Memory
In his new book, CNBC’s shamed business expert ostensibly forgets a decade’s worth of duplicity and failures.
By Michael Corcoran, Monday November 2, 2009
underreview
Under Review: Google's Wave Crashes
This week, we finally experienced Google Wave—and we hated it. Also under review: Facebook’s latest status update.
By Cord Jefferson and Becca Russell-Einhorn, Friday October 30, 2009
Ask the Expert
'Toon Man
Jen Sorensen speaks with preeminent political cartoonist Tom Tomorrow about the past, the present, and the precarious future.
By Jen Sorensen, Thursday October 29, 2009
Field Report
Webcomics: the Female Geekdom
Thanks to online media, artists can make a living creating webcomics, and female artists are taking advantage of it.
By Erin Polgreen, Wednesday October 28, 2009
Five Minutes With
Barbara Ehrenreich
The author of Nickel and Dimed has a new book out that critiques “look on the bright side” culture in America.
By Jake Blumgart, Tuesday October 27, 2009
underreview
A Black Man Enters the Heart of Whiteness
An African-American author enters America’s whitest cities and emerges with a fantastic book. Also under review: Chuck Klosterman’s relatable new collection of essays, Creed’s latest and lamest, and the most heartwarming new blog around.
By Cord Jefferson, Kay Steiger, and Delaney Rohan, Friday October 23, 2009
Films + TV
The Good, the Bad, and the Hypocrisy of Good Hair
Chris Rock’s new documentary takes a comedic glimpse at black hair politics.
By Latoya Peterson, Thursday October 22, 2009
underreview
A Seriously Underwhelming Coen Brothers Movie
The Coen brothers return with their most awkwardly intimate film yet. Also under review: Barack Obama and his Nobel Peace Prize.
By Cord Jefferson and Becca Russell-Einhorn, Friday October 16, 2009
Five Minutes With
PETA
The infamously unapologetic animal rights group talks about its controversial advertising and its new campaign against the biggest offender in factory farming: McDonald’s.
By Cord Jefferson, Thursday October 15, 2009
underreview
Harry Connick, Jr., Special Envoy to the State Dept?
Harry Connick, Jr. displays some good old American fortitude in Australia. Also under review: The danceable, dour xx, the newest Stargate iteration, and Vince et al.‘s syrupy conclusion.
By Paula O'Sullivan, Daniel Strauss, Delaney Rohan, and Becca Russell-Einhorn, Friday October 9, 2009
underreview
Moore Still Forgetting Less Is More
Michael Moore’s heavy-handedness almost bankrupts his new attack on corporate America. Also under review: The twangy Monsters of Folk, the new season of Dollhouse, and a brief interview with the not so hideous John Krasinski.
By Dylan Matthews, Daniel Strauss, Delaney Rohan, and Becca Russell-Einhorn, Friday October 2, 2009
underreview
Let’s Face It, the Emmys Still Suck
Neil Patrick-Harris might be fantastic, but his hosting isn’t enough to save a tiresome awards show. Also under review: the CW’s Vampire Diaries and Twilight as assigned reading.
By Becca Russell-Einhorn, Katie Andriulli, and Emily Rutherford, Friday September 25, 2009
Ask the Expert
My Own Personal Jefferson
New York Times blogger Maria Kalman discusses the process of creating her illustrations that blend American history with her own personal history.
By Emily Rutherford, Tuesday September 22, 2009
underreview
Kanye, Interrupted
We also review Glee, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and black-and-white comedies.
By Becca Russell-Einhorn, Drew Seman, Delaney Rohan, and Jake Blumgart, Friday September 18, 2009
Opinions
Rating the iPhone's Top 25 Free Apps
Apple has a list of “top 25” free applications for the iPhone, but how good are they?
By Drew Seman, Thursday September 17, 2009
underreview
Community College Just Got Funnier
Also under review: a new sex workers’ blog and Shaq’s latest reality show.
By Katie Andriulli, Kay Steiger, and Drew Seman, Friday September 4, 2009
Opinions
Picking Up the Check
One conservative writer complains that modern dating is in chaos. Her solution? Return to the days when women were passive.
By Kay Steiger, Tuesday September 1, 2009
underreview
We Review Netroots Nation
Also under review: The new movie Julie & Julia and the Dollhouse DVD.
By Kay Steiger, Emily Rutherford, and Daniel Strauss, Friday August 14, 2009
underreview
The Latest Attack on EFCA
Also under review: a profile of Michael Savage, Chuck Todd ventures outside, the best Posthumous album to date, and the D.C. yogurt scene.
By Jake Blumgart, Matt Zeitlin, Emily Rutherford, Ryan Lester, and Kate Callahan, Friday July 31, 2009
underreview
Making Science Cool Again
Also under review: the best Iraq war film to date, the lame-ass newseum, Salvadorian food, and Fred Kaplan’s latest hit.
By Kay Steiger, Daniel Strauss, Emily Rutherford, Jake Blumgart, and Matt Zeitlin, Friday July 17, 2009
Books
Bipartisan Values: Envy and Greed
A conversation with Grant Ginder, a young writer whose new book has been pegged by some as a “morality tale.”
By Kay Steiger, Wednesday July 8, 2009
underreview
The Aftermath of the D.C. Metro Crash
Also Under Review: a new visual history of the labor movement and classic bookstores and books.
By Daniel Strauss, Jake Blumgart, Emily Rutherford, and Matt Zeitlin, Thursday July 2, 2009
underreview
Infinite Book Club
Also Under Review: American history, the film that should’ve won Best Foreign Language Film, and the latest Top Chef spinoff.
By Ned Resnikoff, Emily Rutherford, Jake Blumgart, and Kay Steiger, Friday June 26, 2009
underreview
It’s Not Buffy Without Joss Whedon
Also Under Review: HBO’s latest sports show fiasco, RuPaul’s pride performance, Future of the Left’s new album, and Afghanistan’s American Idol.
By Jake Blumgart, Matt Zeitlin, Emily Rutherford, Ned Resnikoff, and Kay Steiger, Friday June 19, 2009
underreview
Under Review
TV On The Radio, Bing, an incredible Russian blog, and more
By Campus Progress, Friday June 12, 2009
Opinions
An Intern’s Guide to D.C.
How to dodge the District’s gunfire—and jumbo slices—during your summer internship.
By Jesse Singal, Thursday June 11, 2009
underreview
Under Review
The MTV Movie Awards, Obama’s speech, brain-destroying video games, and more
By Campus Progress, Friday June 5, 2009
underreview
Under Review
We review a new book on Columbine, a record by Dirty Projectors, and the latest incarnation of Newsweek
By Campus Progress, Friday May 22, 2009
underreview
Under Review
We review guilty pleasure TV shows and Internet memes, as well as a trendy new season
By Campus Progress, Friday May 15, 2009
Films + TV
Community College on the Small Screen
Can NBC’s upcoming community-college show reroute a tired conversation?
By Jesse Singal, Wednesday May 13, 2009
Opinions
White Washing
M. Night Shyamalan’s new film casts white actors in what are clearly meant to be Asian roles.
By Julianne Henry, Monday May 11, 2009
underreview
Under Review
We review the latest Star Trek, the Dalai Lama, and comic book movies
By Campus Progress, Friday May 8, 2009
underreview
Under Review
We review an addictive board game, a guilty-pleasure reality show, and more.
By Campus Progress, Friday May 1, 2009
underreview
Under Review
We review a NYT blog, the fruit of Diddy’s labor, and more.
By Campus Progress, Friday April 24, 2009
underreview
Under Review
We review Bo Obama, a zombie Jane Austen, a new cop show, and more
By Campus Progress, Friday April 17, 2009
underreview
Under Review
This week: Gay Legos, spandex pants, a graphic novel, and more.
By Campus Progress, Friday April 10, 2009
Films + TV
A New Face of Comedy
Sarah Haskins is proving you can be feminist and funny.
By Kay Steiger, Wednesday April 8, 2009
Films + TV
From Cinderella to Spider-Man
Five sexist stereotypes in modern-day films that get to the heart of gender inequalities.
By Sarah Karlin, Tuesday April 7, 2009
underreview
Under Review
This week: An iPhone game, U2’s latest triumph, The Decemberists, Live Nude Girl, and Meat Boy.
By Campus Progress, Friday April 3, 2009
underreview
Under Review
This week: A movie about high school in Paris, the pinnacle of Reese’s, Beastie Boys redux, lackluster Watchmen, and Joss Whedon’s newest project.
By Campus Progress, Friday March 27, 2009
Opinions
The "Fempire" is Not a Trend
Problems with the New York Times‘ reporting on women in Hollywood.
By Kay Steiger, Wednesday March 25, 2009
Books
Auctioning Off Virginity
Jessica Valenti’s new book says the abstinence model is bad for young men and women.
By Caroline Hagood, Monday March 23, 2009
Films + TV
Meet the Newbos
A documentary on wildly successful African-American entrepreneurs makes some all-too-familiar mistakes.
By Jesse Singal, Friday February 27, 2009
Books
Just Another Scam?
A new book examines the parasitic nature of student loans.
By Ben Miller, Wednesday February 25, 2009
Mock U
A Very Cheney Valentine's Day
Campus Progress scores an exclusive look at Lynne and Dick Cheney’s first Valentine’s Day together.
By Jesse Singal, Friday February 13, 2009
Films + TV
Defying Sensitivity
Edward Zwick makes another lackluster attempt in his latest film about the Holocaust to bring understanding to the horrors of human tragedy.
By Jeremy Konar, Monday February 9, 2009
Five Minutes With
Tim Westergren
The co-founder of Pandora Internet radio on the future of the music industry.
By Kay Steiger, Monday January 26, 2009
Films + TV
For We Have Sinned
Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino is symbolic of America’s attempt to gain atonement through an erroneous foreign policy.
By Alexander Congrove, Friday January 23, 2009
Books
The Great Snark War
Media elites are quibbling over what is and isn’t snark. Let’s call the whole thing off.
By Ned Resnikoff, Wednesday January 21, 2009
Field Report
Obama Delicacies
We pick D.C.‘s best inauguration-themed desserts,
drinks, and dishes.
By Jake Blumgart, Thursday January 15, 2009
Films + TV
Doubting Subtlety in Doubt
John Patrick Shanley’s adaptation of his parabolic play is heavy-handed on symbolism.
By Neda Toloui-Semnani, Monday January 12, 2009
Books
Chronicle of a Media Death Foretold
A new book about a long-forgotten Chicago magazine shows why the publication—like many before and after it—was doomed from the start.
By Daniel Strauss, Thursday January 8, 2009
Books
Bending Gender Bending
A new book is supposed to be the tell-all behind the greatest literary hoax of our day, but ends up reinforcing stereotypes about gender identity.
By Miriam Pérez, Thursday December 18, 2008
Crib Sheets
It's Easy Being Green
Ten tips for greener holiday gifts
By The Center for American Progress, Friday December 12, 2008
Films + TV
A Lesson in Grammar and Love
Charlie Kaufman’s metafilm Synecdoche, New York takes on lessons about life, love, and death.
By Ben Weyl, Tuesday December 9, 2008
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