PJ Grisar is a Forward culture reporter. He can be reached at grisar@forward.com and @pjgrisar on Twitter.
PJ Grisar
By PJ Grisar
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Culture Why Dorothy Parker’s ashes were interred at the NAACP headquarters
When it came to Dorothy Parker’s ashes, she left no instructions, save an epigrammatic epitaph: “Excuse my dust.” But in 1988, over 20 years after her death at 73 from a heart attack (following four suicide attempts), the remains of the rapier-witted New York writer who spent so much of her life changing residences, found…
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Culture In 1960, Clifford Odets wrote his final film — for Elvis
Editor’s Note: Clifford Odets was born on this day in 1906. To commemorate that date, we return to the odd story of how the playwright found himself writing a screenplay for Elvis Presley. Wise men say only fools rush in to a vanity film project for a singer of limited acting ability. That didn’t stop…
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Culture Over 120 Neo-Nazi band pages found active on Facebook
Neo-Nazi rockers with swastika tattoos and Insane Clown Posse-like makeup. Album art showing the gates of Auschwitz. Songs longing for a “pure f—ing genocide.” For years, Facebook has allowed bands centered on this content a home on their platform — but now the social media giant is racing to remove them. An investigation by Al…
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Culture Eagles owner announces Hitler doc after DeSean Jackson ‘Hitler’ scandal
A surprise announcement by the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles poses a compelling question about how to correct anti-Semitic ignorance: Can you fight Hitler with Hitler? The football team is now weighing the level of punishment appropriate for wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who praised anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and shared quotes dubiously…
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Culture Sacha Baron Cohen pranked Giuliani — and Giuliani called the cops
When he’s not crusading against Facebook, Sacha Baron Cohen appears to be busy working on a new season of his Showtime series “Who Is America?” His latest mark? America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, whom Baron Cohen surprised in a lace bathing suit, prompting Giuliani to alert the police. Giuliani said he didn’t know it was Baron…
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Culture If this Joe Shapiro didn’t help Trump cheat on the SATs — did a different one?
Will the real Joe Shapiro please stand up? The Trump White House denies the charge, bundled in a forthcoming family tell-all, that the president paid a ringer named Joe Shapiro to sit for his SATs. Now, the widow of one Joe Shapiro identified as Trump’s proxy is insisting he had no hand in helping the…
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Culture Brooks Brothers files for bankruptcy — and yeah, there’s a Jewish backstory
It would appear that not even the elite wear Brooks Brothers when they’re working from home. The coronavirus pandemic has felled a preppy giant, with the storied clothing brand filing for bankruptcy this month. Established in 1818, the clothier claims to have dressed 40 presidents and popularized Harris tweed. Regulars at country clubs and trading…
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Fast Forward CNN: Vindman retires, citing a campaign of abuse from the Trump White House
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the Jewish national security expert who delivered stirring testimony in the impeachment inquiry of President Trump, will retire from the U.S. Army after over 21 years of service. His reason: the President and his allies have ruined his prospects. Vindman’s attorney, Amb. David Pressman told CNN his client was subject to…
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