TASTEFUL RUDE
…a magazine that is typically tasteful. And a little bit rude.
The Latest
A Phrase That’s Been Stuck in My Head for Four Years, Recalled: On Ted Chiang’s Exhalation
In his column, Jonathan Russell Clark re-examines the work of Ted Chiang, using it as a lens through which to understand today’s AI discourse.
About Tasteful Rude
Tasteful Rude’s editorial voice eschews politeness in favor of truth-seeking and fun. It is Tasteful Rude’s mission to abide by Edward’s Said’s commandment: "Criticism must think of itself as life-enhancing and constitutively opposed to every form of tyranny, domination, and abuse."
Beautifully Ruined: A Case for Re-visiting Kate Braverman’s Lithium for Medea
Punk! Real estate! Venice Beach! Myriam Gurba re-introduces readers to Kate Braverman’s cult classic Lithium for Medea.
Treasure Box
In Treasure Box, Jamilla VanDyke-Bailey reflects on an important conversation that came too late.
Community
In his column, Alejandro Heredia meditates on the concept and practice of community: is it a group of people who beyond identity might have no personal and interpersonal bonds, or a commodity for corporations, non-profits, egotistical activists, and social media spiritual gurus looking to make profit off of an increasingly conscious society, or is it shared visions of the future as building blocks of collective living?
The Musical Prison: How Song Drives Night of The Kings
Michael Kolawole writes about the spectacular use of music in Philippe Lâcote’s prison drama Night of the Kings.
Secret CVs: The Slow Violence of Casual Sexism in Academia
An anonymous whistleblower describes the cumulative effect of sexual harassment in academia.
A Biography’s Tale: On Anthony Burgess by Roger Lewis
Columnist Jonathan Russell Clark proves that sometimes, the best biographers can’t stand their subjects.
Perreo
Columnist Alejandro Herredia meditates on the democratic power of perreo.
Black Candles for Bad Men
A supermarket worker turns to her ancestors for help stopping sexual harassment.
Infidelity for Beginners
A publicist engages in an activity she can tell no one about: an affair with her boss.
Priest of Snark: Why One Young Man Heeded the Call
Isabel Tehan profiles a young man who followed his vocation into a dying profession: the Catholic priesthood.
Homes and Haunts: Colson Whitehead’s The Colossus of New York
In Jonathan Russell Clark’s latest column, he writes about Colson Whitehead's The Colossus of New York and tries to summon some love for Colombus, Ohio.
So You’ve Decided to “Live Your Life” Now That You Think COVID is Over…
As the pandemic rages on, Anna Hamilton urges the continued use of Covid precautions: "On some level, I understand being 'tired' of the pandemic. I understand missing 'normalcy.' But for people who have debilitating chronic illness, chronic pain/fatigue, and/or long Covid, our normal sucks."
MOVED: On Speaking Spanish
Maria Bustillos and Myriam Gurba discuss growing up bilingual in a monolingual world.
Tamales Are For Eating, Not Walking
Of all the sounds you can wake up to in Mexico City, my favorite by far is the distant shout of the local vendor slowly approaching your street, yelling “tamales.” My partner was usually up before me and would let me know the vendor was getting close as he handed me my hot cup of […]
Ethiopian Food as Divine Blessing
Some people self-care with a massage or a spa day. Me? I find the nearest Ethiopian restaurant, even if it means traveling hours by car, bus, train, airplane, or all of the above. It may seem like extreme lengths to go for a family serving plate of injera, doro wot, lamb tibs, and shiro, but […]
Of Tacos y Heartbreak
Isabel Quintero and her ex-husband find the perfect tacos to eat at the end of their marriage.
We Watch the Galaxy from Our Porch: Dating While Trans
With sadness, humor, and wit, trans writer féi hernandez pens a love letter to herself.
No Princesses: Reflections on the Passing of Sacheen Littlefeather
Critic Myriam Gurba reflects on the passing of Sacheen Littlefeather and her attempted takedown by a notorious “pretendian” researcher.
Wonder Bread Visions and the Future of Western Civilization
Donald Earl Collins critiques Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, calling on producers and writers to deepen their apocalyptic imaginations by thinking racially.
Noncompliant Heart
Writer Wendy C. Ortiz traces the development of her rebellious spirit and schools us in fascism’s ties to the Pledge of Allegiance.