Chomsky’s Responsibility Redux
“If the responsibility of intellectuals refers to their moral responsibility as decent human beings in a position to use their privilege and status to advance the cause of freedom, justice,…
Politics
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Writing on politics at The Rumpus!
Troy Davis Update
Very sad news from the NYTimes: “Supreme Court Will Not Stop Davis Execution.” For live updates follow @kimseverson. Update: “Troy Davis dead at 11:08.”
Unauthorised Assange Autobiography
Tomorrow Canongate, Julian Assange’s former publisher, plan to “publish ‘the unauthorised first draft’ of his autobiography without his consent, months after the WikiLeaks founder withdrew from a million-pound contract for…
“What Every Woman Should Know”
“What Every Woman Should Know” is an illustrated report by Rumpus contributor Susie Cagle “on the war that’s being waged against women’s health in the United States.” Don’t miss it.
Gabriel García Márquez Sales Are Up in Tehran
Former Iranian prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi, who is under house arrest for his opposition of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, recently encouraged his daughter to read Gabriel García Márquez’s News of…
“We Are Wisconsin”
We Are Wisconsin—The Wisconsin uprising in the words of the activists, writers, and everyday Wisconsinites who made it happen is a 300-page compilation of writings—from articles to tweets—that sprung from…
Liao Yiwu’s Escape
“Only by escaping this colossal and invisible prison called China could I write and publish freely. I have the responsibility to let the world know about the real China hidden…
Touré Interview
“Post-racial suggests a world where race does not exist and racism does not exist, and it’s a completely ridiculous term…With post-Blackness, what I’m talking about is a conception of Blackness…
Post-Revolt Lit
“The concept of the ‘individual’ has been born during these revolts. At the same time, tribal structures and ethnic traditions will not simply disappear. Tribal culture will have to enter…
YA Characters “Straightened”
Two co-authors of a post-apocalyptic young adult novel discuss how they were offered representation on the condition that they remove or straighten a gay character. “The conversation made it clear…
The Decade of Magical Thinking
A Rumpus Lamentation on What We Lost Say you took the long view of September 11, 2001, the view from the heavens, the view of a compassionate celestial being. From…
City Inspirations
With 80% of the population expected to inhabit cities by 2050, governments may find ideas for reforms in examples of urban transformations elsewhere. This piece looks to Colombia, whose story…