We Should Still Defund the Police

Plus: Israel's new peace deal; China's arrest of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and Black chefs at Maison Yaki. View in browser | Update your preferences Our Columnists We Should Still Defund the Police Cuts to public services that might mitigate poverty and promote social mobility have become a perpetual excuse for more policing. By Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor Our Columnists Israel's New Peace Deal Transforms the Middle East An agreement with the United Arab Emirates signals dwindling Arab support for the Palestinians in favor of a coalition against Iran. By Robin Wright Daily Comment China's Arrest of a Free-Speech Icon Backfires in Hong Kong Instead of demoralizing his supporters, the arrest of the tycoon and democracy activist Jimmy Lai has reinvigorated defiance. By Jiayang Fan Local Heroes Taking a Blowtorch to the President's Dad A 911 call alerted cops in Woodhaven, Queens, to vandals preparing to deface a plaque to Fred Trump in a supermarket parking lot. One of them worked for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. By Phil Campbell Culture and More Personal History Homeschooling with Aunt Lil in the Summer of '68 When I was fourteen and failing eighth grade, my aunt conducted a rehabilitation program from her Manhattan apartment. By Charles Busch Tables for Two Black Chefs at Maison Yaki The Prospect Heights restaurant's pop-up series is showcasing Southern- and Caribbean-inspired comforts from Good IV the Soul this weekend. By Hannah Goldfield Books Briefly Noted Short reviews of "The Beauty in Breaking," "Desert Notebooks," "Heaven and Earth," and "Love After Love." Poems "Aubade as Fuel" "Leaving is a lesson of / pleasure." By Traci Brimhall Humor from The New Yorker Daily Shouts When It's Safe: The First Week of My Post-Pandemic Social Calendar Day 3: Meet up with a few close friends for duets-only karaoke, with all songs performed Springsteen-style, cheek to cheek, into a single microphone. By Josh Gondelman Daily Cartoon Friday, August 14th By Kim Warp This e-mail was sent to you by The New Yorker. To insure delivery, we recommend adding newyorker@newsletters.newyorker.com, to your contacts, while noting that it is a no-reply address. Please send all newsletter feedback to tnyinbox@newyorker.com. For more from The New Yorker, sign up for our newsletters, shop the store, and sign in to newyorker.com, where subscribers always have unlimited access. Contact us with questions. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2020. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.