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We Know About Bad Books, But Are There Bad Readers, Too?

Merve Emre Boston Review
The author queries the existence of bad readers, linking causes not to illiteracy or injuries of class or the diffusion of mass culture, but to a Cold War literary trend sporting "an abundance of paraliterary works," such as memoirs, diaries, biographies, diplomatic studies, and feature reports as primers for engaging with literary texts as seemingly historically accurate yet stressing outcomes and expectations consonant with systemic social ends.

Fordham Adjuncts, Instructors Vote Union Yes

The Catholic Labor Network Catholic Labor Network
In an election concluded in November, contingent faculty at Fordham University have voted overwhelmingly to form a union and bargain collectively.

Honduras in Flames

Aaron Schneider and Rafael R. Ioris NACLA
The chaos surrounding last week’s presidential elections in Honduras reflects a rightwing consolidation of power in the country, abetted by the United States.

Ramaphosa and Dlamini-Zuma Contest is too Close to Call

John Haylett Morning Star
The race between Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as to who will succeed Jacob Zuma as ANC president remains too close to call. The divisions between the candidates reflect the divisions within the revolutionary alliance that brought an end to South African apartheid.

Both Parties Pushed Trump Toward Reckless Action on Jerusalem

Stephen Zunes The Progressive
Trump’s dangerous and provocative move regarding Jerusalem—like so many of his reckless policies both abroad and at home—requires strong, broad-based opposition. It is unfortunate that, at least in this case, there is no real opposition party.

As The Gig Economy Grows, Advocates Raise Concerns About Workers' Safety

Samantha Raphelson NPR
"Workers who work in the gig economy are making money but missing out on other standard benefits of having jobs: health care primarily but also paid sick leave and worker's compensation," says Jessica Martinez, co-executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. "It's essentially the Tinder economy. When a temp worker is done with his or her shift, the boss swipes left and claims to have no further obligation."

How Bosses Use “Open Shop” Campaigns to Crush Unions

Shaun Richman Working in These Times
Two new books shed light on the sustained union-busting campaigns that bookended that all-too brief period of labor-management détente. Chad Pearson’s Reform or Repression: Organizing America’s Anti-Union Movement, and Lane Windham's Knocking on Labor’s Door: Union Organizing in the 1970’s and the Roots of a New Economic Divide.