Portside

Viruses have been a part of our lives for so long, in fact, that we are actually part virus: the human genome contains more DNA from viruses than our own genes.

From Venezuela to Iran, Washington's illegal and inhumane economic sanctions are putting millions of lives at risk.

Clarence Thomas has an expansive view of free speech for campaign donors. For most everyone else, not so much.

This book argues the fight for true equality begun 150 years ago continues and draws clear connections between the limitations and loopholes written into these 19th century amendments and the most intractable debates dividing 21st century America.

The safest way to cast a ballot will very likely be by mail. But with opposition from the president, limited funding and time running out, will that option be available?

Snowpiercer is full of people who aren’t white men who nonetheless prop up an unequal system; the series contemplates the ways in which we are all cogs in the machine, while looking to all of these same parties to dismantle it.

Moving to a single-payer system could enable more unions to win excellent healthcare through group practice clinics for their members—an essential next step after winning universal access to care.

New books and research in African American history and culture. Recent or soon-to-be published books, which the African American Intellectual History Society feels would be of interest to readers. Regrettably the cost for some puts these out of reach of many - but there is always your public or school library. Suggest that these be ordered.

Meet Greensboro, North Carolina native Rhiannon Giddens; see and hear why she has taken the music world by storm. Hear her music, and that of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. See why she is stretching the borders of traditional folk music, blues, country and old-time music. Hear her tribute to the Charleston Nine.

America's unions have been in retreat for decades - but can history point toward some fresh starts? Steve Fraser's book The Age of Acquiescence reminds us that America's worker movement-100 years ago-was a rather militant creature compared to today. Then, it was worker militias, "bread and roses," and unabashed class conflict; now, it's defense and dwindling membership, and disappointing Democrats. How did we get here? Is there still power in a union?