On the State of Race Theory: A Conversation with David Theo Goldberg

摘要: In 1961, the distinguished British historian E.P. Thompson as­ sessed scholarly and social contributions of Raymond Will­ iams, an ascending intellectual New Left, in following terms: With a compromised tradition at his back, with broken vocabulary hands, he did only thing that was left to him; took over opponents, them into heart their own arguments, fought standstill terms. (27) was, course, referring Williams' transformation field literary studies through rigorous historicization its aesthetic mode textual analysis insistent expansion narrowly conceived focus include more diverse forms cultural expression, such as film, television, advertising. An engaged, oppositional intellectual, Williams played decisive role "culture wars" time, challenging deeply conservative entrenched Leavisite letters well vulgar orthodoxies mid-century Marxist theorizing, which under­ stood culture secondary effect determining economic base.' Uncannily, Thompson'sjudgment might be said perform double duty, I attempt demonstrate how, context current wars, commentaryserves appropriate succinct encomium for unsurpassed theoretical achievement courage contemporary cosmopolitan phi­