Between the Lines

Perspectives on race, culture, and community.

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D.

How Do We Respond to "The Worst Thing"?

What do we need in order to heal from the worst thing that has happened to us? A new documentary follows Kathleen Pequeno as she grapples with tragedy by turning towards the pain.

A Brief History of Punitive Justice

In many societies, punishment has simultaneously served the function of controlling marginalized populations and prohibiting acts deemed subversive of that control.

Nine Criticisms of School Restorative Justice

There are many criticisms of restorative justice in schools—some legitimate, some based on misunderstanding. Here are nine that I have heard the most over the years.

Louis C.K. Is Doing Comedy Again. Should We Tune In?

In the age of #MeToo, what do we need in order to reintegrate those who engaged in sexual harassment and similar acts into our communities?

A Racial Analysis of Childish Gambino's "This is America"

As is always the case with ambiguous stimuli, what the viewer thinks is happening has much more to do with their life experiences and beliefs than with the stimulus itself.

Not-So-Blank Slate: The Quandary of Behavioral Genetics

Behavioral genetics are changing the way we understand human behavior. What are the implications for race relations?

Engaging Conflict: A Story in Three Parts

Learning something new is not always sufficient. Sometimes, to integrate new knowledge, we have to unlearn the old ways and then learn and relearn the new ones.

The Racial Politics of Black Panther

The racial dynamics in "Black Panther" are interesting, complicated, and at times, problematic.

The Paradox of Conflict

Dominic’s big idea is that conflict is neither undesirable nor dangerous and that the danger lies not in the conflict itself but in ignoring or attempting to repress it.

Reflections from Standing Rock

A report from Standing Rock and our attempt to stand in solidarity with native people who are fighting for their right to water, land, and liberation

Is Restorative Justice Exhausting?

School teachers and staff are already stretched thin. Is restorative justice the final straw?

New Study Reveals Six Benefits of School Restorative Justice

Zero-tolerance approaches have not garnered much research support for reducing conflicts or violence. A new study identifies the many benefits of school-based restorative practices.

When "Fun" Gets Racist, What Should Schools Do?

Five ideas for creating the right conditions for safe and appropriate outcomes.

Charleston Shooting: We're All In This Together

When I felt sad or anxious or angry, I wanted those around me to keep me company for a while, to meet me where I was, to let me know that they were impacted by my experience.

Universities Not Immune to Implicit Bias

Implicit bias is evident across academic departments, including in the sciences, where one might be tempted to believe that applications are more likely to be evaluated objectively.

Psychologists and the U.S. Military: Then and Now

In the United States the discipline of psychology, through the leadership of the American Psychological Association (APA), has stood alone in its refusal to firmly acknowledge the ethical incompatibility of its mission to promote human mental health and healing and its members’ involvement in the military’s and the CIA’s abusive interrogation and detention practices.

Ferguson: Why Is It so Hard for Us to Agree on the Truth?

In social activism, even "truth" is often disputed. These four cognitive illusions show why we don't all see the same social reality, in Ferguson and elsewhere.

Obama Shields 5 Million Undocumented. Should We Worry?

Economic and social science data suggest little need for concern about immigration reform.

What not to Wear: 5 Most Racist Halloween Costumes This Year

Even if only for a day, there is no denying it's fun to be someone else. For some, part of the fun is to be as different as possible. Perhaps that's why some men put on drag, why some demure women get their sexy on, and... why some white folks are drawn to blackface.

Parenting Without Threats, Coercion, Part 2

Is it possible to parent nonviolently? Ana Joanes's new documentary follows three families as they try to parent without threat or coercion, yet with the general philosophy that everyone's needs (both their children's and their own) matter.

Is It Possible to Parent Without Threats or Coercion?

Is it possible to parent nonviolently? Ana Joanes's new documentary follows three families as they try to parent without threat or coercion, yet with the general philosophy that everyone's needs (both their children's and their own) matter.

Racism Insurance Promo for Dear White People: A Critique

The Racism Insurance skits are laugh-out-loud funny, and most of us can use more laughter in our lives. But they are not just funny. They also shed some light on real-world racial dynamics. There is content in these clips worth examining more closely.

Robin Williams and the Mask of Humor

Don't let the humor fool you: The comedic mask can cover up darkness and pain.

This Lady Refused to Sit Next to a "Negro," The Full Story

The behavior in the "Despicable" PSA is deplorable, but just because we don't stoop to that level doesn't mean we're off the hook for being racist.

A Racial Analysis of Sterling's Comments, NBA's Response

There is much to celebrate about the NBA's stand against Sterling but also much to be concerned about. Classic studies in psychology suggest that any one of us could have been in Sterling's place. Do we have a greater responsibility as a society than just removing the bad apple?

Undocumented Migrants Hurt American Economy, Or Do They?

In his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of his desire for a day when all Americans could peacefully coexist as equals. 51 years later our society is still in many ways divided, not only by race, the primary focus of King’s efforts, but also by immigration status. Here we summarize key findings from a study of undocumented immigrants.

Social Health: A Mandate for Our Time

Social health is our deepest resource in a global age. With the transition into the 21st century, we are seeing a vast and growing worldwide surge to tap into this resource, even as it is not yet fully understood.

Is Nonviolence Effective?

The evidence for the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance is mounting. In the past 100 years, nonviolent campaigns were nearly twice as likely to achieve full or partial success as were violent campaigns and the advantage for nonviolent campaigns held even when controlling for the authoritarianism of the regime.

A Reading of the Letter From Birmingham Jail: A Review

Though not as universally known as the "I Have a Dream" speech delivered just a few months later, Letter From a Birmingham Jail, which King started to write on the margins of a newspaper, is the source of many of his most well-known words. A new film gives these words screen time, much to the benefit of anyone who takes the time to watch.

Bus mural: Choose love, its superior to hate

What If We Choose To Do It With Love?

We tend to think of love as an emotion, which of course it is, but it is also a choice. It is a choice we can make in regard to not only a romantic partner but also a friend, a stranger, and even someone we regard as an enemy. Unlike emotional love, this kind of love is not fleeting. soft or irrational. Rather, it is an orientation toward justice and healing.

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