Malcolm X and the Arc of History
First social activist in this “Exemplaries” series. Malcolm X has had not only a large cultural influence but demonstrated an ability to change and to accommodate new horizons of thought.
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Author: Joseph Crane
Dmitri Shostakovich: Music for Interesting Times
Produced works of genius in the midst of unbelievable obstacles, or did the obstacles produce his work of genius? Part of “Exemplary Individuals” series.
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The Past Darkly: Divine Comedy’s Historical Background
What follows is an overview and timeline I wish I had when I first started reading the Divine Comedy. Because the poem relates closely to its cultural, political, and spiritual background, it’s good to have some broad strokes.
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Hannah Arendt: Political Life (and its Demise) in the Modern Era
Latest in the series on exemplary people relevant to our times, here’s Hannah Arendt – political philosopher, essayist, and teacher — and witness to dark times during her lifetime. She left us with tools to help us to do better now.
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George Orwell: A Man for Our Season
2017 has been Orwell’s year, more than was 1984. Here we look at the creator of “Newspeak”, “doublethink”, and the “orwellian nightmare.”
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