RACE, EQUALITY, COMMUNITY

I've been blogging away this week over at Talking Points Memo, part of a discussion on "Obama's America." Orlando Patterson, Olati Johnson, Rick Kahlenberg, Jim Sleeper, Scott Winship, Jedediah Purdy, and I have had a lively exchange on race, integration, and equality. I have to commend the editors of Democracy Journal for pulling together a heterogeneous mix, and for bringing me aboard--for I'm not part of the cast of usual suspects. Also at TPM this week is a discussion that I wish I could join, on Tony Badger's new book on FDR's first one hundred days.

Although I have had differences with Kahlenberg and Sleeper in particular, we also find some common ground (more with Kahlenberg, who thoughtfully reflects on integration, less with Sleeper, who is still fighting the battles of the late 80s and early 90s against media-created black militants). Check it out--and jump in on the comments section if you are moved.

GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM

From the blogosphere into space...Rustbelt Intellectual will be on satellite radio this evening.

Listen to Sirius Satellite Radio Indie Talk Channel 110 for the Rustbelt Intellectual in real time, talking about blogging. The program is "Blog Bunker," 5:30pm EDT, Thursday, June 19.