The article explores the relationship between culture and politics, particularly in the context of contemporary America and historical events like the Dreyfus Affair. It challenges the comforting assumption that art and creativity inherently ally with progressive values, recognizing that both sides of the political spectrum engage with culture differently. The story of Alfred Dreyfus exemplifies the impact of cultural narratives on societal dynamics, showcasing how anti-Semitism and political confrontation shaped French society, echoing similar cultural conflicts today.
"The myth that creativity is always on the side of progressâthat artists must also be humanists, and therefore enemies of reactionâis equally cherished by many of us on the left."
"Dreyfus's story is well-known: Framed by right-wing and anti-Semitic forces inside the French Army, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island and spent four years rotting there."
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