Time Out: Let’s Talk About Race

A mistake on Time magazine’s latest cover has opened a nationwide conversation about race and ethnicity; Rick Santorum belittles American public education, calling it an “anachronism”; is the U.S. finally done with Afghanistan? These discoveries and more below.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that have found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

The links below open in a new window. Newer ones are on top.

Time to Think in Full Color About Race & Ethnicity Time magazine’s latest cover story (Feb. 24) is called “Yo Decido. Why Latinos will pick the next President.” While the Latino vote is definitely interesting, the most interesting thing about this story isn’t the headline or the article’s statistics. It’s the cover.

The Republican Brain: Why Even Educated Conservatives Deny Science — and Reality People ignore data and evidence—and often, knowledge and education only make the problem worse.

Caught in the crossfire: Should musicians boycott Israel? The former Dead Kennedys frontman goes to Israel and the West Bank, and shares his thoughts on the BDS movement.

The End in Afghanistan? Is it all over but the (anti-American) shouting — and the killing? Are the exits finally coming into view?

On Education, Santorum Flunks History By disparaging public education and increased access to college, Rick Santorum is overlooking one of America’s greatest historical achievements.

Can I use science to get out of jury duty? Joel Warner recently received a jury-duty letter, a notice that inspired him to learn everything he could about the science of jury selection.

‘UN must prosecute Israel for war crimes,’ says Bloody Sunday lawyer Israel was the focus of discussions by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) earlier this month.

Steve Jobs’s Pursuit of Perfection—and the Consequences In 2010, Der Spiegel published a glowing profile of Steve Jobs, then at the helm of Apple. Jobs’s products are venerated in Germany, especially by young bohemian types.

How to make Occupy catch on Were history a guide to today’s politics, progressives would be redoubling their efforts to turn the still-unraveling crisis of capitalism into an opportunity for system-changing reform.

New York water tanks to be transformed into works of art Word Above the Street, a New York-based non-profit organisation, plans to transform 300 rooftop water tanks across New York City into works of art to raise awareness on the global water supply.