richardabailey

You can find my words at the link. Whether or not you read them, please let me encourage you to make time soon to read some of Gurney’s many words. You’ll be better for doing so.

I am grateful to the folks at @FrontPorchRepub (and especially @jeff_bilbro) for inviting me to share some thoughts on the passing of Gurney Norman—writer, documentarian, activist, advocate, Kentucky poet laureate, teacher, mentor, and friend. frontporchrepublic.com/2025/10/inside…

The best way to prove universities’ value is to get countercultural again.…That means defending inefficient, human-centered learning: strange and premodern practices such as reading an old book, then writing a long essay about it.” newrepublic.com/article/198386…

“[P]art of being a historian during Trump 2.0 is to witness a renewal of debunked mythologies and outdated ideas made fresh by a state apparatus deeply invested in protecting the historical reputation of whiteness.” newrepublic.com/article/198384…

What an amazing conversation between Silas House and Crystal Wilkinson about the writing of creative nonfiction. Once again, I’m reminded how much these folks rock. Y’all find it wherever you go for podcasts and listen.

“Leaving the next generation ignorant of this historical knowledge, of the institutions, cultural practices, and processes that have either created or nourished division, will only perpetuate and deepen division.” newrepublic.com/article/198366…

“As we enjoy ceremonies in 2026, we might also recall that celebration without commemoration is vanity, that flattering memory without truthful history is self-delusion.” newrepublic.com/article/198387…

A taste of Blight’s usual incisive prose: “official triumphal narratives rooted in a brand of pickled patriotism designed to force the past to serve the present.” Pickled patriotism. newrepublic.com/article/198354…

Progressively getting situated in a new space. This gift from some students seemed appropriate to bring over on Wendell’s ninety-first birthday.

Waiting on all of the evangelical leaders who endorsed him or were conveniently silent as they paved the way for this current state of the nation. Give at least gentle regrets? No? B-I-N-G-O & Bingo was his Name-O. 🦗 👀👇⬇️

I love (read: laugh/hate/some such verb) seeing folks (both in & out of classroom spaces) passing off AI-generated ideas as their own believing no one can tell. I don’t begrudge them (this piece shares some of the reasons why) but I “love” it nonetheless. apple.news/AJiQDJ5H9QVO6f…

A good morning to return (once again) to •The Long-Legged House•

@greg_thornbury Herman wants folx to know and to do better

Nobody ever told these kind folx about hermeneutics. It’s why we live in Crazy Town. 🤡

A case against regular cleanings? nytimes.com/2025/06/18/sci… via @NYTimes

@greg_thornbury Here’s what I know. I jumped in. And definitely looking forward to whatever goodness they offer kickstarter.com/projects/thelo…

@richardabailey Send me all info!

I wrote a book about Larry Norman. Larry loved Brian Wilson & sought to create Christian Rock harmonies like The Beach Boys. Mike Roe wrote this. It’s apropos. God bless everyone who loved God Only Knows. youtu.be/98jk2XDkIWM?si…

Put *Theo* as a prefix in front of this and you have the entire world of evangelical influencers. 😶‍🌫️

nytimes.com/2025/06/04/art… via @NYTimes