Announcing a New Column by Gregory Rodriguez

‘Imperfect Union’ Will Explore American Identity and How Diverse Societies Cohere

When America talks about itself, the country and media usually start by reducing people to ethnic stereotypes and categorizing ideas by ideological camp. Gregory Rodriguez, Zócalo Public Square’s publisher and founder, and senior fellow at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, has distinguished himself throughout his career by avoiding this trap. Rodriguez has shown that our country’s dynamism lies in how its people and ideas collide in ways that can’t be easily categorized or labeled.

In his new syndicated column, “Imperfect Union,” Rodriguez will explore these collisions, both past …

Why I’ll Miss Our Flawed Mayor

At His Best, Antonio Villaraigosa Made L.A. Feel Like a Small Town

Antonio Villaraigosa is the only politician to ever call me an asshole to my face. And, come to think of it, he’s the only politician I’ve ever called an asshole …

Happy 10th Birthday, Zócalo, Unlikely Child of Passion

I Used to Be a Happy Loner. Now I Host L.A.'s Public Square.

It’s amazing what you can do when somebody ticks you off. A decade ago, I was a solitary writer whose idea of community was pretty much limited to tequila-infused evenings …

Where Karl Rove Was Right

Republicans Will Suffer For Leaving Latino Voters Out of the Big Tent. But the GOP Defeat Had To Do With More Than Just Immigration Policy.

Give Karl Rove a break. His meltdown on election night may not have been entirely about Fox News prematurely calling Ohio for President Barack Obama. After all, the poor guy had every …

Check Out the New Zócalo

An Ideas Exchange With a Head and a Heart

Nearly 10 years ago, in April 2003, Zócalo Public Square started presenting smart, fun, free events and receptions around Los Angeles.

Four years ago, we started publishing smart, fun, free articles …

White Out

Majority of Births Now Minorities-Brace Yourself for the Loss of Nothing

Here we go again. The Census Bureau has released yet one more milestone data point that supposedly reveals the profundity of America’s ongoing demographic change. This time, it’s news that, …