Hail to the Chief

by Kristine Kathryn Ruschon 24

As I write this essay, season six of 24 has just started with its characteristic bang (or, in this case, bangs). Much as I love the plotting, the cliffhangers, and the changes in the life of Jack Bauer and friends, what I love most about season six is something that has so far gone unremarked in all the reviews.

Wayne Palmer has just been elected president of the United States–the second African-American president of the United States.

Now, the real United States has never had a first African-American president, let alone a second one. In fact, we have never had a Latino president, an Asian-American president, or a female president. Every president we’ve had has been white, male, and (theoretically) a practicing Christian.

We patted ourselves on the back in 1960 because we elected a Catholic (see? No prejudice here), and we did so again when Al Gore nominated a … read more»

Recent Free Essays (Still Available!)

Available Until
Thu 6/20

Giving the Devil Her Due

by Nick Mamatason the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series

I have a deep respect for Laurell K. Hamilton, which never fails to surprise people. My own fiction is on the “slipstream” edge of the genre, as likely to be published in an underground zine or mainstream literary journal as it is in a genre magazine. My few books have … read more»

Available Until
Wed 6/19

Kristina Speaks Up

by "Kristina" on Crank and Glass

I’m not exactly sure where to begin, but to describe where my heart was at the beginning and how it got lost along the way. Any way you look at things, I’d like it to be known that I’ve always wanted to do the right thing. Even when it came … read more»

Available Until
Tue 6/18

O, To Be in Oxford

by Richard Harlandon the His Dark Materials series

I want to ride through the night on an armored polar bear! I want to cut holes in the air and step through into other worlds! I want to fly in an airship over the Arctic snow! But most of all, I want to live like Lyra as a kid … read more»

Available Until
Mon 6/17

My Boyfriend Sparkles

by Anne Ursuon the Twilight series

Each night I ask the stars above Why must I be a teenager in love?

–Dion and the Belmonts

Bella Swan thinks of her relationship with the vampire Edward Cullen in great sweeping terms–Romeo and Juliet, Catherine and Heathcliff. And their story certainly has echoes of those iconic lovers; they … read more»