House restarts conversation about reparations for Black Americans
The discussion of payments from the federal government comes as the administration focuses on racial equity. Errin Haines Originally published by The 19th
George Washington’s biggest battle? With his dentures, made from hippo ivory and maybe slaves’ teeth
William Maloney, New York University We have all heard the tales about George Washington chopping down a cherry tree, throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River and, of course, wearing wooden teeth.
Presidents have a long history of condescension, indifference and outright racism toward Black Americans
Stephen A. Jones, Central Michigan University and Eric Freedman, Michigan State University The fury over racial injustice that erupted in the wake of George Floyd’s killing has forced Americans to confront their history. That’s unfamiliar territory for most Americans, whose historical knowledge amounts to a vague blend of […]
America the Beautiful Versus the Star-Spangled Banner as National Anthem
If we make room for a second American national anthem, it’s America the Beautiful, a song so rounded and inclusive, it’s a national hymn, if not an official anthem.
The icy backstory to that ‘clink clink’ you’ll hear when raising a toast to the end of 2020
Tulasi Srinivas, Emerson College If ever there was a year to toast drawing to an end, it’s 2020. Over the festive period, people around the world will be raising a glass to better times ahead. Accompanying sighs of relief will likely be the subtle tinkling of ice.
How COVID-19 Hollowed Out a Generation of Young Black Men
This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. By by Akilah Johnson and Nina Martin/ProPublica The Rev. Dr. Kejuane Artez Bates was a big man with big responsibilities. The […]
Why the Puritans cracked down on celebrating Christmas
Peter C. Mancall, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences When winter cold settles in across the U.S., the alleged “War on Christmas” heats up. In recent years, department store greeters and Starbucks cups have sparked furor by wishing customers “happy holidays.” This year, with state officials […]
Black women voters in Georgia ‘care a good deal’ about the Senate runoff, new poll finds
The poll of nearly 500 registered voters in Georgia comes ahead of the start of early voting for the January 5 runoff election. Errin Haines Originally published by The 19th More than 80 percent of Black women said they “care a good deal about who wins” the Georgia […]
America’s hidden world of handmade pornography
Lisa Z. Sigel, DePaul University “To live among the handmade,” philosopher and antiques dealer Leon Rosenstein once said, “is to live among the human.” Well, there’s nothing more human than handmade pornography. When you hear “pornography,” you might think of Playboy and Penthouse, X-rated movies and internet porn. […]
American individualism and our collective crisis
Q&A — Political scientist Deborah Schildkraut Our national and social identity is deeply rooted in values like freedom, equality and order. A political scientist explores how these ideas have affected the US response to the worsening pandemic. By Anil Ananthaswamy 12.1.2020
