Tom Wolfe and some of his greatness

"In general, the Radically Chic made a strategic withdrawal, denouncing the "witchhunt" of the press as they went. There was brief talk of a whole series of parties for the (Black) Panthers in and around New York, by way of showing the world that socialites and culturati were ready to stand up and be counted in defense of what the Panthers, and, for that matter, the Bernsteins, stood for. But it never happened. In fact, if the socialites already in line for Panther parties had gone ahead and given them in clear defiance of the opening round of attacks on the Panthers and the Bernsteins, they might well have struck an extraodinary counterblow in behalf of the Movement. This is, after all, a period of great confusion among culturati and liberal intellectuals generally, and one in which a decisive display of conviction and self-confidence can be overwhelming. But for the Radically Chic to have fought back in this way would have been a violation of their own innermost convictions. Radical Chic, after all, is only radical in style. In it's heart it is a part of Society and its traditions. Politics, like Rock, Pop, and Camp, has it uses, but to put one's whole status on the line for nostalgie de la boue in any of its forms would be unprincipled. "
From "Radical Chic and Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers" - Tom Wolfe, 1970 . Also the brilliant writer of "The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake streamline Baby" (1965) and "The Electric Kool-Aid Test" (1968)

A great short "story" compilation, if a bit surreal at times- even Barbara Walters, the esteemed journalist is mentioned in these hip NY parties. Very fun, very informative, and very true.