The Ringmaster Is Gone
But the circus remains.
How College Became a Ruthless Competition Divorced From Learning
It is a truth universally acknowledged that elite parents, in possession of excellent jobs, want to get their kids into college.
The Problem With Patriotism
I can’t ignore what this country has done to Black people. How do I find my place in it?
Ban Him Forever
To send the right message, Donald Trump’s removal from Facebook must be permanent.
Biden Has the Power to Vaccinate the World
He should use it.
What Workism Is Doing to Parents
Public policy should assist families—but not by helping adults spend more time on the job.
Why the Other Philip Roth Bio Never Took Off
Despite obvious drawbacks, authorized versions of an artist’s life are more compelling.
Don’t Fall for the D.C. Retrocession ‘Okey-Doke’
Retrocession is being used to derail what Washingtonians actually want: statehood.
The Year That Changed Everything
Criticizing the Founders is in vogue these days, but what they did was extraordinary.
Curses Aren’t ‘Just Words’
A word is presented; a curse is squirted. This is part of why curses can be so utterly disconnected from their technical meanings.
The Game Is Changing for Historians of Black America
For centuries, stories of Black communities from the past have been limited by racism in the historical record. Now we can finally follow the trails they left behind.
Black America’s Neglected Origin Stories
The history of Blackness on this continent is longer and more varied than the version I was taught in school.
China Is a Paper Dragon
U.S. policy makers should look to the future with a little more confidence and a lot more trust in trade, markets, and the superior potential of a free people.
We Should All Be More Afraid of Driving
Two terrifying car accidents taught me that, despite what we like to believe, we can’t control what happens on the road.
Millions Are Saying No to the Vaccines. What Are They Thinking?
Feelings about the vaccine are intertwined with feelings about the pandemic.
A Simple Approach to Ending Extreme Poverty
Buried deep in the latest pandemic stimulus package is a transformative idea for helping families.
We Still Don’t Know Who the Coronavirus’s Victims Were
One year into a racial pandemic within a viral one, the gaps in our collective knowledge are still startling.
The Numbers Tell a Different Story About Police Killings of Minors
Exaggerated narratives could yield misguided policy responses—which would endanger many more kids.
Why the Filibuster Suits the GOP Just Fine
Because neither party can reliably elect enough senators to overcome a filibuster, modern American politics is trapped. We figured out just how trapped.
Don’t Wait for Herd Immunity
We may never reach the point when viral spread stops, but a strategy of minimizing risk—not eliminating it—can help Americans reclaim normalcy.