Between the Lines

Perspectives on race, culture, and community.

Politics
Maybe We Should Talk About Politics During Thanksgiving

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on November 27, 2025

The conventional wisdom to avoid contentious topics can be useful, but if we want to build understanding, trust, and respect, we have to find ways to talk across differences.

The conventional wisdom to avoid contentious topics can be useful, but if we want to build understanding, trust, and respect, we have to find ways to talk across differences.

Identity
The Racial Allegory of Black Panther

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on November 10, 2022

In addition to the literal tales, the Black Panther stories can also be understood allegorically, where characters represent different aspects of contemporary racial reality.

In addition to the literal tales, the Black Panther stories can also be understood allegorically, where characters represent different aspects of contemporary racial reality.

Paolor Freire in 1963.
Education
Developing a More Restorative Pedagogy

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on October 4, 2022

Restorative principles are designed to be subversive to established systems and provide a viable alternative to the structural violence that characterizes mainstream education.

Restorative principles are designed to be subversive to established systems and provide a viable alternative to the structural violence that characterizes mainstream education.

Relationships
How Do We Respond to "The Worst Thing"?

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on April 14, 2020

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.

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.

Punishment
A Brief History of Punitive Justice

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on August 2, 2019

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

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

Forgiveness
Nine Criticisms of School Restorative Justice

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on March 7, 2019

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.

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.

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

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on May 9, 2018

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.

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.

Education
Engaging Conflict: A Story in Three Parts

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on April 3, 2018

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.

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.

Relationships
The Paradox of Conflict

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on November 29, 2017

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.

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.

Bias
Reflections from Standing Rock

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on November 21, 2016

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

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

Relationships
New Study Reveals Six Benefits of School Restorative Justice

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on May 18, 2016

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.

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.

Empathy
Charleston Shooting: We're All In This Together

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on June 19, 2015

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.

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.

Bias
Universities Not Immune to Implicit Bias

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on March 9, 2015

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.

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.

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

Mikhail Lyubansky Ph.D. on December 17, 2014

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.

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.

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July 2026
26 Keys to Thriving

From the power of pausing to the ability to ignore, we’ve culled 26 simple, actionable measures for gaining a sense of control and living a meaningful life.

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