Author Archives: Spencer Critchley
The “Innocent Mistake” Defense for Racism
Slavery was repugnant to many Americans long before America was a country — the Germantown Quakers denounced it in 1688. It was outlawed in the British Empire in 1833. We fought a Civil War over it from 1861-65. Still, injustice … Continue reading
How We Won—And Then Lost—The Cold War
It’s been hitting me hard lately how so much of the agony we’re living through now originates in our bungling response, or lack of response, to the fall of the Soviet Union. When the USSR collapsed in on itself under … Continue reading
Thugocracy
Erasing the difference between America and a thugocracy like Russia may be this presidency’s most tragic effect. Millions of Americans are being held hostage by a leader who can’t get what he wants through the legitimate legislative process. Count 800,000 … Continue reading
Branding and Incantation
One thing that President Trump understands is branding, although with “steel slats” I really think he’s losing his touch (panic will do that to you). His more successful efforts have included MAGA, Crooked Hillary, Fake News, and, of course the … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Politics & Society
Tagged branding, communication, Donald Trump, influence, rhetoric
Leave a comment
Trump Isn’t Getting Better, America Is Getting Worse
[Also published at Medium.] After the shock of Donald Trump winning the presidency, the hope many of us clung to was that he would grow in office. Instead, America has shrunk. There was some reassurance at the beginning, as his … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership & Management, Politics & Society
1 Comment
After Trump, Prepare for the Shame: A Warning for Americans From Occupied France
[Also published at Medium.] With the Liberation of France in 1944 came a miraculous discovery: the entire nation had resisted the German occupation. “Paris liberated! Liberated by itself, liberated by its people with the help of the French armies, with the … Continue reading
Posted in Politics & Society
Tagged authoritarianism, democracy, Donald Trump, World War 2
Leave a comment
African Immigrants Are Better Educated Than Americans
[Also published at HuffPost.] African immigrants are better educated than native-born Americans. 42 percent of African immigrants have a bachelor’s degree or higher; 33 percent of Americans do. Immigrants from Nigeria? 61 percent. Racism depends on ignorance. And at a time … Continue reading
Will you just “wait and see?”
[Also published at Huffington Post.] Have you ever wondered whether you would speak up if democracy came under attack, as it did in Europe in the 1930’s and 40’s? That question is being answered now. Are you speaking up? Or are … Continue reading
A Car Wash for Souls
[Also published at Huff Post.] I had Christianity all wrong — I thought Jesus didn’t want you to sin. Yes, if you did sin, He would forgive you. But the baseline was, Jesus was anti-sin. Well now Christian supporters of Roy … Continue reading
Yes, Judge What Happened In Charlottesville — And Then What?
[Also published at Huffington Post.] We have to call out horrors like what happened yesterday, and there’s value in doing it: to make it clear what America is and what it cannot be. At the same time, I think there’s also … Continue reading