Things Noted Here and There
Caleb McDaniel,"The Colored Expatriates of the American Revolution," Mode for Caleb, 22 May, takes issue with Jill Lepore's"Goodbye, Columbus," New Yorker, 8 May, to consider how subsequent African Americans' regarded their kinsmen who abandoned the United States at the end of the Revolution.
If you're still up for the discussion, I recommend: Michael Massing,"The Storm over the Israel Lobby," NYRB, 8 June. Thanks to Eric Alterman at Altercation for the tip. Relatedly, Scott McLemee's"Euston ... We Have a Problem," Inside Higher Ed, 24 May, takes a jaundiced look at The Euston Manifesto.
Oso Raro,"The Invisible Adjunct: An Appreciation," Slaves of Academe, 17 May. I still think that much of the best of academic blogging is done by people largely inspired by IA's example. Few of us have her brilliant mix of thoughtful posts, gift for repartee, and readiness, when necessary, with the soft or stern rebuke. I miss her deeply and have, to no avail, made two efforts to draw her back into the public sphere. This is also a good opportunity to note the fact that two alums of IA's school, Naomi Chana and Russell Arben Fox, are leaving academic positions and Fox has closed his blog. It is academe's and the 'sphere's loss. Best wishes to them both.
Farewell to Peter Viereck, who died ten days ago. The obituaries did not improve on Tom Reiss,"The First Conservative," New Yorker, 24 October 2005.
Finally, I like the title of Rachel's new blog, I'm Too Sexy for My Master's Thesis. I dare say!