“Jesus Christ Superstar” set off controversy from the start. Composer Lloyd Webber has recounted how London producers initially regarded the 1971 project as “the worst idea in history.” Many religious audiences viewed the play with deep suspicion for what they considered an irreverent approach, questionable theology and its rock ‘n’ roll-influenced score.
The Conversation
Understanding the Reactionary Realignment Behind the French Election
The French political landscape continues to shift rightward. Testament to this is the emergence of Éric Zemmour’s identity-based platform and Emmanuel Macron’s renewed political offer. While Jean-Luc Mélenchon made gains, they were not enough to compensate for the Socialist Party’s precipitous decline.
Why Lowering the Voting Age to 16 Is a Good Idea
Thirteen countries, ranging from Brazil to Nicaragua, Ecuador, Austria, Estonia and Malta, already have voting ages under 18. The Council of Europe has urged its member countries to follow suit. In Canada, the federal NDP and Green Party publicly support a younger voting age. The federal Conservative, NDP and Liberal parties already allow members as young as 14 to vote in leadership contests.
The French Election: 5 Things to Watch
A lot has changed since incumbent Emmanuel Macron captured the presidency in 2017 – with a global pandemic and a major conflagration in Europe topping the list. Yet the vote looks likely to be heading to another showdown between Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen.
Will Smith’s Slap and the Persistence of ‘Honor Culture’
Cultures of honor require men to aggressively defend their reputations against insults or threats, and this imperative extends to protecting their spouses, children and property. While many people are quick to declare that “violence is never the answer,” for others violence is, in fact, the answer – and that’s due, in part, to honor culture being alive and well.
Ukraine and Russia from the Holodomor Genocide to Today
The Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933, also known as the “Holodomor”, has rapidly become a central component of Ukrainian identity. Today, 55% of Ukrainians understand the Holodomor as an artificial famine orchestrated by the Soviet authorities and directed against Ukrainians, a view held by just 5% percent of Russians.
American Evangelicals See Putin as a Leader of Conservative Values. Ukraine War Is Testing the Myth.
In February 2022, evangelical leader Franklin Graham called on his followers to pray for Vladimir Putin to avoid war. The backlash was fast and direct. Graham had not solicited prayers for Ukraine, some observers commented. And he had rarely called on believers to pray for U.S. President Joe Biden. But white conservatives have been developing a political and emotional alliance with Russia for almost 20 years.
Academic Freedom and Responsibility
“Academic freedom,” one university’s charter of freedoms reads, “is not a legal right, but rather a right or a privilege bestowed by an institution of higher learning. It might best be construed as an ethical right, insofar as it serves good ends: the advancement and dissemination of knowledge.”
Amazon, Starbucks and the Sparking of a New Union Movement
Inspired by pro-union sentiment in political movements, such as Bernie Sanders’ presidential bids, Black Lives Matter and the Democratic Socialists of America, young workers are spearheading the efforts for workplace reform rather than professional union organizers. Indeed, one would be hard pressed to find many experienced organizers among the recent successful campaigns.
Criminal Justice Algorithms: Being Race-Neutral Doesn’t Mean Race-Blind
Justice is supposed to be “blind.” But is race blindness always the best way to achieve racial equality? An algorithm to predict recidivism among prison populations is underscoring that debate.