Cautionary Tale…or Instruction Manual
A discussion of museum exhibits used by today's far right as an instruction manual for gaining and wielding power and how to counter this.
A Message from Portugal to the World
Elections for the European Parliament take place this weekend, and in many of the EU countries, anti-democratic and neo-fascist parties are poised to increase their share of the vote. Among…
An American Story of Oppression and Resistance: Samira Ahmed’s Internment
An analysis of the historical and contemporary underpinnings of Samira Ahmed's bestselling YA novel Internment.
“Burn It All Down”
The scene in my novel where I burn it all down and show boys doing the right thing.
Family Heritage Trip, Part 2
A trip to Prague, where my daughter learned of the country's 20th century history and its struggle for freedom.
Films for the Resistance: The Other Side of Everything
Review of the Serbian documentary The Other Side of Everything, about the movement to end the genocidal Milosević regime.
Creativity as Resistance: An Artist’s Story
Thoughts on the role of creative artists in societies facing deep injustice and repression, inspired by an exhibit I saw in Lisbon in spring 2018.
The panelists, from left, Masha Gessen, Max Book, Ian Buruma, and moderator Chip Rawley.
PEN World Voices Festival 2018: “It Can’t Happen Here”
A closing panel of the 2018 PEN World Voices Festival addresses the question: could (or has) an authoritarian regime come to power in the United States?
PEN World Voices Festival 2018: “What Shall We Tell the Children?”
The contributors to an upcoming volume of poetry, essays, and art on resistance offer advice to parents on talking to children in challenging times.
Young People Rally for #NetNeutrality
Thursday December 7 saw nationwide rallies to protest Federal Communications Commission director Ajit Pai's promise to end Net Neutrality at the FCC's monthly meeting on December 14. Most of the…