Considering History: Mexican Americans as Political Prop in the 20th and 21st Centuries
What factors have caused the U.S. policy on Mexican-American immigration to swing so wildly over the decades?
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Considering History: Myths and Realities of the Mexican-American Border
Many imagine the border between the U.S. and Mexico to be a consistent, stable entity, but history shows that this line – and the many debates that surround it – is prone to revision.
Considering History: Thomas Paine’s The Crisis and Finding Hope in the Depths of Winter
Thomas Paine’s Revolutionary War pamphlet may have changed the course of American history.
Considering History: Tisquantum and the First Thanksgiving
The story of the first Thanksgiving may not be as benign as the version in children’s books, but it’s still a remarkable tale of warmth, cooperation, and generosity — traits that continue to define this American holiday.
Considering History: John F. Kennedy and the Ideals and Realities of Civic Engagement
American elections have consistently revealed the dark side of democracy.
Considering History: The Fight for Native American Citizenship and Voting Rights
Native American citizenship and voting rights have been tenuous and hard-won — and are still being challenged today.
Considering History: Predatory Men, Vulnerable Women, and Foundational American Texts and Lives
The debates about gender relationships have been part of America since our founding era.
Considering History: Anti-Semitism and Jewish American Activism
Jewish American activism has a rich history in the United States.
Considering History: Jackie Robinson’s Anti-Racism and Anthem Protests
Like Colin Kaepernick, baseball legend Jackie Robinson protested racial injustices.
Considering History: The Presidency and Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Ben Railton describes one of the most divisive and destructive presidencies in American history.
Considering History: Confederate Memorials, Racist Histories, and Charlottesville
A year after clashes between white supremacists and counter-protesters, Ben Railton looks at the histories of Confederate memory and racial segregation that shaped his hometown of Charlottesville.
Considering History: The Cold War, the Korean War, and the Development of NATO
NATO was created following World War II, but it was during the Korean War that it truly began to develop its international military forces and strategies.
Considering History: Slavery, Race, and the Declaration of Independence
Ben Railton explores the complex intersections of race and the Declaration, historical moments and figures that embody both the limitations and the possibilities of America’s ideals.
Considering History: Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Imagining Slavery’s Family Separations
When Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published in 1852, it changed the way most Americans thought about slavery, including the practice of separating parents and children.
Considering History: Remembering World War II Heroism Beyond D-Day
As we commemorate D-Day, Ben Railton recognizes the bravery of the lesser-known heroes of World War II: The Navajo, African American, and Japanese American troops who also served our country.
Considering History: The Chinese Exclusion Act and the Origins of “Illegal” Immigration
Ben Railton discusses The Chinese Exclusion Act and its impact on Chinese-American families throughout the 20th century.