Outdated ideas about race are built into the very fabric of the fantasy genre, which have been recycled from Lord of the Rings to Dungeons and Dragons and beyond. But a new crop of creators are trying to change the way we dream about the past. Part XXXVI of Race, Racism and the Middle Ages, by Paul B. Sturtevant.

George R.R. Martin wants to have his cake and eat it too: he claims his breakout hit fantasy series is based on real history, but hand-waves away criticism of his approach to issues of race. Part XXXV in Race, Racism and the Middle Ages, by Shiloh Carroll.

Medieval Europe's greatest travellers wrote avidly about hundreds of cultures across the world. What did they say about race? Part XXXIII of Race, Racism and the Middle Ages, by James Hill.

Jewish life in the medieval world was not always dire. In fact, it featured long periods of multicultural cooperation that helped both Jews and non-Jews flourish. Part XXXII of our series on Race, Racism and the Middle Ages.

The victims of oppression do not need to be "perfect" in order to deserve empathy, rights, and justice. As true in 1096 as it is today. Part XXX in our ongoing series on Race, Racism and the Middle Ages, by Jeremy DeAngelo.

A call to action in the wake of Charlottesville to re-enactors, LARPers, and all who enjoy the Middle Ages casually. Part XXIX in our ongoing series on Race, Racism and the Middle Ages, by Paul B. Sturtevant.