Despite relatively clear-cut historical evidence to the contrary, Mrs. O’Leary’s cow has remained a mythic origin point for the catastrophic Chicago fire of 1871. And that myth tells us a great deal about 19th century American prejudices and what we can learn from our shared history.
The U.S. is currently admitting Afghan refugees and at the same time deporting Haitian refugees at the Texas border. A look at America’s history of accepting or rejecting refugees may offer an explanation.
A movie that was released three years before the 9/11 attacks can help us better understand and reflect on this day of mourning and remembrance.
James Loewen, who passed away this week, helps us see how powerful political forces are challenging educators’ rights to teach the full, nuanced truths about our history and nation.
What do we do when it feels like our opportunity to change things for the better has passed?
The great Jesse Owens knocked out records and humiliated the Nazis in Germany. But despite those achievements, he faced racism and cruelty at home.
At summer camp, Ben Railton’s sons were confronted with racism, an infuriating experience that nevertheless led to some valuable observations on the importance of allyship and perspective.
Ben Railton argues that protests during the national anthem help us better remember the ways in which “The Star-Spangled Banner” has consistently featured both celebratory patriotism and exclusionary visions of American identity.
In the news for the week ending June 18, 2021, are stoned crustaceans, blue-ribbon floof, weird answers, Old Spice, and more.
As we approach the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Ben Railton remembers other, earlier moments of LGBTQ activism.
In the news for the week ending June 3, 2021, are Perry Mason’s peers, hurricane names, chocolate frogs, cereal robots, iced tea, and more.
On the occasion of his parents’ 51st wedding anniversary, Ben Railton looks at the many personal lessons he’s learned from them, especially with regard to the ideas of inclusion and critical patriotism.
On the 100th anniversary of Japanese American activist Yuri Kochiyama’s birth and the passage of the Emergency Quota Act, Ben Railton looks at America’s history of inclusion and exclusion of different identities and communities.
Rick Santorum recently stated that “there isn’t much Native American culture in American culture.” Ben Railton suggests a few contributions that Santorum might have overlooked.
The anniversary of the historic Promise of 1946 labor agreement offers an opportunity to reflect on when – and why – the labor movement and workers themselves have been attacked as unpatriotic and even un-American.
Ben Railton profiles women such as Ida B. Wells and Julia Ward Howe, critical patriots who were “putting the chisel in the hands of truth, and giving it to whom it belonged.”