can't miss links on Charlottesville & state of the union

The desperate, terrifying need to read/watch/click on every single link covering the fallout from this past weekend in Charlottesville is so real — it’s as if there’s a chance that somewhere out there, there’s a unifying theory, preferably distilled into a 15-minute explainer tbqh, that makes sense of all that’s happened and, more importantly, charts a reassuring path forward.

While we at Deez Links are still searching for that holy truthpiece grail, there are a few pieces that have percolated through the noise of the past few days and merit some serious attention:

• The Vice News documentary/episode, which all cord-cutting/unable-to-afford-cable-or-a-TV peers should definitely watch. I didn’t realize I’d been going a little stir-crazy from just watching the news in 30-second clips and tweets, and the unimpeachable footage & interviews here give a comprehensive look at the riot you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, it’s only 22 minutes.

• This art history-esque reading of one of the most iconic photos from the weekend, from Doreen St. Felix at The New Yorker.

• The Atlantic’s indictful reupping of an 1866 essay from one of our best-known writers who goes by the name of Frederick Douglass. Obvious Employerlantic plug here, but having been founded in 1857 as a literal abolitionist magazine, The Atlantic is a requisite destination for historical context.

I’d say enjoy, but that doesn’t feel correct. Instead, here’s hoping these links help illuminate the week for you — and please, as always, send your own recs for required reading over!

Like Deez Links? Forward to other truthpieces.