—I Am Not Your Negro: In theaters Feb. 3, Raoul Peck’s documentary is based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript Remember This House and narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson. It’s a powerful movie that weaves haunting images with thoughts about civil-rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Medgar Evers.
—Dog Whistle Politics: Arguably, this book, by Ian Haney Lopez, is more relevant than ever. Lopez uses historical figures, including Ronald Reagan, to bolster his argument that some politicians sent a “dog whistle”: sending a message about racial minorities inaudible on one level, but clearly heard on another. The book’s subtitle—How Coded Racial Appeals Have Reinvented Racism and Wrecked the Middle Class—says it all.
—Star of Siam (StarofSiamChicago.com) restaurant: The River North spot, at 11 E. Illinois St., is still going strong after decades of business. The food tastes great and the service is sometimes amazingly swift. Who could ask for more?
—NewerTech NuTouch Gloves (NewerTech.com): With winter flexing its muscles across the country (with even spots in Florida dipping into the 20s and 30s), these gloves are practically essential. The gloves let you type, tap, swipe and scroll while walking the dog or waiting for that CTA bus.
—By Andrew Davis
(Andrew@WindyCityTimes.com and @azygous60610)