When your narcissism is encouraged by traditional and social media, I suppose this is what results.   The"shadow of Jim Crow" didn't stop him from bouncing back and forth for decades between positions at Harvard and Princeton.  It's not implausible that his political advocacy, including for the Palestinians, played a role in Harvard's refusal to give him tenure (although, recall, they did offer him a multi-year contract).  More likely, of course, is that (1) he hasn't done notable academic work in awhile, and (2) he was a victim of age discrimination (he is 68).  I bet he could prevail on a lawsuit over the latter!