“The future is bigger than our imaginations. It’s unimaginable, and then it comes anyway. To meet it we need to keep going, to walk past what we can imagine. We need to be unstoppable. And here’s what it takes: you don’t stop walking to congratulate yourself; you don’t stop walking to wallow in despair; you don’t stop because your own life got too comfortable or too rough; you don’t stop because you won; you don’t stop because you lost. There’s more to win, more to lose, others who need you.”
A single company owns the exclusive patent on the BRCA 1 and 2 mutations—and jacks up the price for a $200 genetic test for breast cancer risk to $3,000, just because they can.
In the wake of Angelina Jolie’s well-intention exhortation for “every woman” to explore their risk of breast cancer, one company stands to make a staggering profit.
“Who in the newsroom will speak up the next time there’s a story that produces that much racial heat—the one black or brown person in an otherwise white newsroom? Who will speak up when working-class Americans are portrayed in patronizing and simplistic ways—the unpaid cub reporter/intern?”
High-res
Our Spring Books double issue is here, chock full of new poetry and reviews, plus:
- Farai Chideya on how to fix journalism’s class and color crisis
- Jessica Valenti on why she’s voting for a woman in 2016, even if she’s not the most feminist candidate
- John Nichols on why Chris Christie is a phony moderate
- David A. Love on winning the fight against the death penalty in Maryland
High-res
The national movement of fast food and retail workers’ strikes has hit Milwaukee—the fifth city in 6 weeks where employees have walked off the job demanding $15/hour and the right to form a union without retaliation. Josh Eidelson has the story.
(Photo from @OLBLightBrigade)
“Why won’t anyone have an adult conversation with me about what war is about? It’s their war. They asked us to fight it, and we did it as well as we could. Why are they pretending it’s our war? We were just there.”
High-res
We’re excited to announce the launch of Nation eBooks, which will bring some of our most notable contributors, past and present, to your tablets, smartphones and computers. The first title of many to come is Gore Vidal’s State of the Union, a collection of 26 timeless essays published over the course of nearly 5 decades—just in time for summer reading.
High-res
The fast food worker strike movement just keeps getting bigger! Today they’re walking out in Detroit—read all about it here.
(Photo from @alesacm)
High-res
Applying neuroscience to the study of literature is fashionable right now. But is it the best way to read a novel?
High-res
Photo from today’s fast food worker strikes in St. Louis, via @STL735
High-res
Fast food workers are striking in St. Louis! And it’s a BFD—read all about it
(Photo from @aliemalie)
“What of her actions qualifies Shakur as a terrorist? Even if you believe she is responsible for Foerster’s death, that would make her responsible for one death in the early morning hours on a New Jersey highway 40 years ago. If that is terrorism, if the definition is such that this purported crime fits, then in the process of labeling Assata Shakur a terrorist, the FBI has rendered the word all but meaningless. According to [Angela] Davis, “the attack on [Shakur] reflects the logic of terrorism, because it precisely is designed to frighten young people, especially today, who would be involved in the kind of radical activism that might lead to change.” But there’s no one around to put law enforcement on a wanted list.”
High-res
This is a thing I am doing this week, that you should come to! It is exciting. But admittedly, also, kind of scary. What if I am just a young upstart, not sharp enough to be a part of this distinguished panel? Oh well. It’s my party!
These critics are amazing. Check them out.
350,000 to 500,000 people take to the streets of Dallas, Texas & demand immigration reform & a more just life in the United States
May 6, 2013Thousands gathered Sunday in downtown Dallas to call for an immigration system overhaul as the Senate considers a proposal to legalize some of the estimated 11 million people who are in the U.S. unlawfully.
At the front of a march that began at the Cathedral Shrine of Our Virgin of Guadalupe were Catholic Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, an immigrant from Ireland, and Domingo García, a Dallas lawyer and one of the demonstration’s organizers.
“This nation was founded and built on immigrants, and we must continue to always welcome the immigrant in our midst,” Bishop Farrell said as the crowd clapped. The bishop drew more applause when he switched to Spanish and said he prayed that the nation’s leaders “accept and treat every person with justice.”
The march stretched for several blocks, bringing out families, college students and other supporters of the cause. A crowd estimate wasn’t available from police, but the turnout was a fraction of a similar march in 2006 that police said drew 350,000 to 500,000 people.
When the marchers arrived at Dallas City Hall, a Cinco de Mayo festival paused as the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung.
Dallas County Commissioner Elba García told the crowd: “We want immigration reform now. No more excuses!” Her husband, Domingo García, added, “The march is not over until President Obama signs an immigration bill.”
Angel Mondragon, an immigrant from Mexico City, carried a handmade placard that read, “Gays also want an immigration reform.” Mondragon said he loves the U.S. “I am gay and I have more opportunity here. People give me more respect here.” But the Senate measure doesn’t provide a provision that recognizes same-sex bi-national couples — a fact highlighted by various gay advocacy groups on the national level.
Some marchers and speakers noted the recent record deportations in the U.S. of about 400,000 a year. Hector Flores, a past national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, and Roberto Corona, an immigrant leader demanded that deportations should end. Through hard work within the United States, Corona said, “we have earned this immigration reform.”
“I’ve never seen such fear and anger in the country before. On the other hand, the opportunities are greater than before. There’s much more freedom.” —Noam Chomsky
