Let’s face it: exercising solidarity is tricky business, not the least of which is because “solidarity” itself is a tricky concept, which requires the subordination of real differences (across a whole host of important categorical domains) for the sake of some particular common interest that might prioritize similitude– often for prudentially strategic reasons– over, across…
Read MoreAs some of you already know, I am also one of the bloggers at NewAPPS. I’m re-posting here a piece co-authored by Edward Kazaian and I that appeared this past Tuesday on NewAPPS. It’s generated a lot of conversation so far, and I’ll have a post forthcoming soon on my take on that conversation. What…
Read MoreThis is the first installment of my series Memphis on the Downbeat, an inside look into Memphis music by a bona fide Memphian and music-lover. This week Memphis hosts the 30th International Blues Challenge (Tuesday through Sunday at venues all over Beale Street), which every year brings leading blues artists and bands from all over…
Read MoreOne of the things that I’ve resolved to do in 2014 is devote more space on this blog to Memphis, THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES. (C’mon, really, pick a fight with me about that claim. You will lose.) As I’ve said many times before, in private but more often in public, there…
Read MoreAt long last, I’ve finally gotten all my (administrative, bureaucratic and legal) ducks in a row and I am now able to share with you the documentary film that my student Sophie Osella and I made several months ago: WORKING IN MEMPHIS. Last summer, I posted periodically about our process of making the film here…
Read MoreToday, I begin my annual Year in Review lists for 2013. (If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can check out my past lists for the 2010 Year in Review, 2011 Year in Review and 2012 Year in Review.) I make several lists every December, but almost every year, the Music list is my favorite to compose. …
Read MoreThese are the letters from the ninth (and final) day of the Grading War. If you landed here by accident and don’t know what you’re reading, click here for the backstory. One last note: this whole #GradingLetterstoHome adventure was great fun, and a very welcome relief from the drudgery of grading. Thanks to Marcus Battle…
Read MoreThese are the letters from the eighth (and penultimate) day of the Grading War. If you landed here by accident and don’t know what you’re reading, click here for the backstory 12 December 2013, 3:28am Dearest Leigh I hope this dispatch will find you in good spirits and in the very best of health. I…
Read MoreThese are the letters from the seventh day of the Grading War. If you landed here by accident and don’t know what you’re reading, click here for the backstory.11 December 2011, 9:09am Dearest Leigh, I know not whether this missive will find you, but I pray that, if it does, it finds you well. The…
Read MoreOnce again this semester, I assigned short-film projects to the students in my Existentialism course. And once again, the products of that assignment (which I only just finished grading) were amazing. I’ve employed this assignment in select courses for the last several years and each year the students’ films have gotten more and more impressive. …
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