Category Archives: Law and justice

The 1619 Project

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Harry Katz

We’ve all been taught the United States was founded on July 4, 1776, when representatives of the 13 colonies, gathered in Philadelphia, issued the Declaration of Independence. That’s the dominant historical narrative. But what if it’s not true? The 1619 … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Law and justice | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Dying of Whiteness

Posted on November 28, 2021 by Harry Katz

There are two main ideas in Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America’s Heartland: Right-wing policies implemented by Republican administrations attract supporters because they align with a fundamental desire of many white voters to preserve … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Health and wellness, Law and justice, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

US Supreme Court continues its attack on voting rights

Posted on July 4, 2021 by Harry Katz

In this post I’m taking a break from book reviews and making one of my occasional forays into reviewing decisions by the US Supreme Court. (Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer and I don’t have any formal legal training. The opinions … Continue reading →

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Amend: The Fight for America

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Harry Katz

I can’t remember ever reviewing a television show before, let alone recommending one, but I guess there’s a first time for everything. Amend: The Fight for America is a six-part Netflix documentary hosted by Will Smith. It’s about the on-going … Continue reading →

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The Sum of Us

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Harry Katz

In the 1920’s and 30’s, towns and cities across the United States built large, beautiful public swimming pools for their communities. Montgomery, Alabama was one such town. Its Oak Park pool was one of the largest in the region. It … Continue reading →

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Nonfiction November: My Year in Nonfiction

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Harry Katz

I’ve been informed by reliable sources, namely Rennie @ What’s Nonfiction, that this month is Nonfiction November. Great idea! Apparently there will be weekly prompts throughout the month.  Even better! This week’s prompt comes from Leann @ Shelf Aware:  Take a … Continue reading →

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My Own Words

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Harry Katz

If you’re looking for something to distract yourself from the dismal spectacle of the Senate confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, you might find solace in My Own Words, a collection of essays, articles and speeches by the … Continue reading →

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RBG

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Harry Katz

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died yesterday at 87 from metastatic pancreas cancer. The tributes have been overwhelming, including this New York Times review of her life and career by Linda Greenhouse, this post by Amy Howe, a reporter for SCOTUSBlog, … Continue reading →

Posted in Law and justice, Reflections | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court’s Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Harry Katz

Supreme Inequality By Adam Cohen Penguin Press, New York, 2020 The Supreme Court is not your ally. The Supreme Court does not protect the weak, the poor, or the downtrodden. The Supreme Court will not save us from Donald Trump. … Continue reading →

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White Fragility

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Harry Katz

White Fragility By Robin DiAngelo Beacon Press, Boston, 2018 “White Fragility” sounds like a paradox. How can whites be fragile when we’re supposed to be the largest and smost dominant segment of US society? As author Robin DiAngelo explains it, … Continue reading →

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