slavery

Tyler Durden would be proud.

Alan Jacobs on Andrew Delbanco’s ‘The War Before the War,’ the horrors of the fugitive slave laws, and the costs of union.

A university named for George Washington and Robert E. Lee wrestles with its traditions and heritage.

The promises of yesteryear blossom into the cruel satire of today.

Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson had already heard the name Benjamin Banneker by the time the Maryland-born free black wrote to him on August 19, 1791. Banneker, a farmer and self-taught man of scientific pursuits, lived near the Quaker Ellicott brothers in what is now Ellicott City, just north…

If Americans today know John Quincy Adams, whose 250th birthday we celebrate on July 11, it is probably as Congressman Adams—Anthony Hopkins’ character in the film Amistad. Congressman Adams was Adams at his best. But that was a late development.

Timothy S. Huebner has produced a valuable study of American constitutionalism, a study that could do enormous good if people read it. Gracefully written, it is also lengthy and scholarly, which means that readers must possess two qualities—patience and intellectual candor—to appreciate the…

Timothy S. Huebner has produced a valuable study of American constitutionalism, a study that could do enormous good if people read it. Gracefully written, it is also lengthy and scholarly, which means that readers must possess two qualities—patience and intellectual candor—to appreciate the…

Yale University last week announced that it will rechristen Calhoun College, named after alumnus John C. Calhoun (class of 1804), the famous and powerful statesman from the antebellum period. Yale president Peter Salovey stated, “The decision to change a college's name is not one we take lightly,…

Yale University last week announced that it will rechristen Calhoun College, named after alumnus John C. Calhoun (class of 1804), the famous and powerful statesman from the antebellum period. Yale president Peter Salovey stated, “The decision to change a college's name is not one we take lightly,…

Among the writers who have had a consequential effect on the issue of race in America, Albion W. Tourgée (1838-1905) may be the least noticed, for reasons unclear. This is the latest of several recent treatments of his life and work that have left him, still, in unmerited obscurity. Perhaps one…

Last week, the Georgetown Memory Project (GMP) inspired op-eds and editorials pondering what Georgetown University should do for the descendants of 272 slaves whose 1838 sale saved D.C.'s Jesuit university from bankruptcy. GMP raises funds for research to track down these descendants and to honor…

In the month of February, Americans reflect on the contributions that African Americans have made over the course of our history. Of course, February is also host to President's day -- a joint celebration of the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

President Obama has received a lot of well-deserved criticism for his recent remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast. After condemning terrorists who “professed to stand up for Islam,” he told the largely Christian audience:

Replete with stunning horror stories, as one would expect, this remarkable collection of antislavery writing astonishes nonetheless. For example: “Our first black President was a man of such distinguished talents, that none chose to risk their own reputation for discernment by not acknowledging…

On MSNBC, host Melissa Harris-Perry compared Gitmo terrorist inmates to American slaves:

Harry Reid brought up Django Unchained at a ceremony to unveil a statue for Rosa Parks in the Capitol today:

MSNBC host Chuck Todd reported that a "very smart White House aide" told him that "with this Republican, with the way politics of Washington are today, there'd still be slavery." Watch here:

Israel was one of the first nations to recognize and welcome as a new nation the Republic of South Sudan on July 9, 2011. It was not surprising then, that South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayaardit recently chose Israel for one of his first presidential visits.