List: My Best Essays | Curated by Tim Wise

Oct 29, 2023
34 stories
3 saves
My Best EssaysWhen I say best, I don't necessarily mean the ones that got the most love from either the algorithm or readers in terms of claps. I mean the ones of which I am particularly proud as a writer. The ones where the prose is something I can look at and feel artistically satisfied.
In
ZORA
by
Tim Wise
Critiquing Israel and Zionism Without Indifference to the Pain of October 7Multiple things can be true at the same time, and it’s important to say so
Oct 29, 2023
49
Oct 29, 2023
49
Tim Wise
The Parkland Shooter Thought People Were Disposable.Let’s not second that emotion
Mar 11, 2018
2
Mar 11, 2018
2
Tim Wise
Stop Lying About Black Women and FamiliesClaims of an out-of-wedlock birth crisis and “babies having babies” are racist myths. It’s time to tell the truth.
Feb 12, 2023
31
Feb 12, 2023
31
In
An Injustice!
by
Tim Wise
Actually, It’s Not “OK to be White”And if you knew the history of that concept you would understand why
Mar 2, 2023
53
Mar 2, 2023
53
In
AfroSapiophile
by
Tim Wise
A Simple Thought Experiment Can Tell if Black Lives Really Matter to YouAt the very least it can demonstrate how racism shapes our perception of human worth
Jan 5, 2023
83
Jan 5, 2023
83
In
An Injustice!
by
Tim Wise
Editing Out the Screams of Children, in Uvalde and Everywhere ElseHow one media outlet’s decision is a metaphor for the last 400 years of American history
Jul 18, 2022
29
Jul 18, 2022
29
Tim Wise
Yes, Racism is Taught — But Not the Way You ThinkThe most effective teacher of racist thinking is systemic inequality itself
Mar 28, 2022
27
Mar 28, 2022
27
In
AfroSapiophile
by
Tim Wise
Yeah, No, That Study Doesn’t Debunk Police RacismSloppy social science and the mental gymnastics of racism deniers
Dec 31, 2021
11
Dec 31, 2021
11
Tim Wise
Yes, We Should Apply Today’s Moral Standards to Past BehaviorSaying otherwise is moral relativism and makes you sound stupid
Apr 19, 2022
44
Apr 19, 2022
44
Tim Wise
Will Smith, Chris Rock and What You’re Missing About That SlapCondemning the slap or the joke (or both) is the easy part — there’s much more we need to discuss
Mar 30, 2022
123
Mar 30, 2022
123
Tim Wise
Joe Rogan’s Apology May be Sincere, But That’s Not the PointThe issue is what kind of privilege allows us to not think (or care) about the impact of our words and actions
Feb 7, 2022
19
Feb 7, 2022
19
Tim Wise
Appalachia + LeBron James Doesn’t Disprove White PrivilegeWhite pain can co-exist with white advantage — in fact, the two are more connected than you think
Aug 11, 2021
8
Aug 11, 2021
8
Tim Wise
At This Point, If You’re Not Antifa, You’re FaNeutrality in the face of rising authoritarianism is not an option
Dec 17, 2021
22
Dec 17, 2021
22
Tim Wise
Racism is as American as Apple Pie or Your Ford F-150How American ideology keeps racial inequity locked in place
Dec 16, 2021
15
Dec 16, 2021
15
In
Momentum
by
Tim Wise
School Shootings and White Denial Are the Ultimate Doom LoopWe’re so busy looking for danger in spaces of color, we sleep on pathology in white communities
Dec 5, 2021
26
Dec 5, 2021
26
Tim Wise
Anti-Racism is About Social Responsibility, Not Racial GuiltAllyship is a journey, and shame has never been the destination
Nov 9, 2021
17
Nov 9, 2021
17
In
Better Humans
by
Tim Wise
Positive Thinking and Self-Improvement are Not EnoughYou can’t manifest democracy, a healthy planet, or a just society — it takes real work
Nov 2, 2021
17
Nov 2, 2021
17
Tim Wise
Of Dave Chappelle, Comedy, and Tomahawk ChopsReflections on intent, impact, and moving forward
Oct 21, 2021
31
Oct 21, 2021
31
Tim Wise
The Term “White Trash” is Racist — But Not for the Reason You ThinkThe common class slur actually reinforces the idea of superiority as the default position for white people
Oct 11, 2021
36
Oct 11, 2021
36
Tim Wise
Sure, Black Folks Can Be Racist, But There’s a CatchA nuanced, honest answer to a common, aggravating question — which will satisfy absolutely no one
Oct 6, 2021
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Oct 6, 2021
20