I would caution that unless conjoined with an empowering narrative the insurgent side of this equation is also prone to error. The great victory of conservatism was delivering a compelling myth that the public good was synonymous with military and business interests. The task before us, and which you skillfully pursue, is to not simply highlight the inaccuracies but to weave a chronicle that will restore our humanity.

I’ve read Richard Parker’s splendid biography of Ken Galbraith. While Galbraith was alive I enjoyed watching him on C-SPAN and even saw his memorial service. But I don’t recall him ever saying anything of relevance to blacks. Galbraith’s only professional input with respect to blacks was when, as a New Dealer, he conceded to racist practices harmful to black sharecroppers in return for Southern support of FDR’s farm program. I’ve never taken an economics class yet I know this stuff. This is just further confirmation that, for me at least, Gates is a mediocre scholar whose celebrity greatly exceeds his intellectual stature.