Author Archives: shmoover

In times like this I think of Sam Cooke’s great 1960 recording of “Chain Gang.”  I am always overwhelmed with deep feelings. Then I notice a whole train of associations. First, the singer himself: possibly the sweetest, most soulful voice … Continue reading →

June 2019. Netflix releases When They See Us, Ava DuVerney’s superb miniseries on the Central Park Five case. In the first two weeks of the month, the seventh African-American transgender woman is murdered this year. Another, Layleen Polanco, is found … Continue reading →

A wonderful time – the War: When money rolled in and blood rolled out. But blood was far away from here – Money was near.        – Langston Hughes There is no doubt that America really did confront … Continue reading →

The chicken or the egg? Which comes first, history or myth? Joseph Campbell taught that a living myth refers past itself to the ineffable, serving four distinct functions. First of all, the mystical function introduces the individual to that which … Continue reading →

America is the exceptional nation, chosen by Divine Providence to defend freedom and redeem the entire world. To those outside our mythic bubble, however, this is a story that we regularly tell ourselves about ourselves in order to convince ourselves … Continue reading →

I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars. – Franklin D. Roosevelt, 10/30/1940 In spite of the risk involved, however, in … Continue reading →

So of course, the right-wing response to the images of Colin Kaepernick and other (mostly Black) players taking a knee during the playing of the anthem is racist to the core, especially in a sport many call a plantation of … Continue reading →