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A fan’s collection of essays by Adolph L. Reed, Jr.

No frills, no bullshit—just essays by Adolph Reed. If you’re here, you probably know who he is. If not, check Wikipedia.

The goal here is to collect his writing in a single place, in a way that facilitates reading it. The format should be consistent. The pages should load quickly and contain only content. And the layout should be somewhat responsive, i.e., it’ll look ok if opened on a mobile device. All this can be done easily, when there’s no financial motive.

If publications ask me to take things down, I will. Likewise, obviously, if Dr. Reed would rather this site not exist.

The list below is in descending chronological order. More items will be added over time. I’ve started with a broad assortment, and marked some of the most important pieces with a red (or, in dark mode, pink) florette. The source files can be accessed on GitHub. Last updated 2 Dec. 2019.


2019

The Charter School Industry’s Dishonest Attack on Bernie Sanders” (19 June 2019, The Nation)

What Materialist Black Political History Actually Looks Like” (8 Jan. 2019, nonsite


2018

Which Side Are You On?” (23 Dec. 2018, Common Dreams)

The Trouble with Uplift” (3 Sept. 2018, The Baffler)

Antiracism: A Neoliberal Alternative to a Left” (22 May 2018, Dialectical Anthropology)

Black Politics after 2016” (11 Feb. 2018, nonsite


2016

The Case against Reparations” (11 Feb. 2016, nonsite)


2015

From Jenner to Dolezal” (15 June 2015, Common Dreams)


2014

Michelle Goldberg Goes to Washington” (4 Mar. 2014, Jacobin)

Nothing Left” (Mar. 2014, Harper’s


2009

The Limits of Antiracism” (Sept. 2009, Left Business Observer)


1995

“ ‘What Are the Drums Saying, Booker?’ ” (11 Apr. 1995, The Village Voice


1994

Review of The Bell Curve” (28 Nov. 1994, The Nation)


1991

The Underclass Myth” (1 Aug. 1991, The Progressive)


1979

Black Particularity Reconsidered” (20 Mar. 1979, Telos