In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate the blockbuster film Black Panther, the ascendancy of Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, and the preponderance of plastics in contemporary life.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The release of blockbuster film Black Panther is being hailed as a watershed moment in African American, and mainstream, popular culture. Niki and Natalia both referenced Laurence Ware’s New York Times article on black nerds.
• Figure skater Adam Rippon has attracted media attention for using his platform to defend LGBTQ rights. Natalia mentioned this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour featuring journalist Sam Sanders describing what it’s like to cover the Olympics. Niki referenced this Newsweek article about the “frozen closet” and Natalia commented on this New York Times article about disordered eating among male figure skaters.
• The Anglican Church is recommending that people give up plastics for Lent. Natalia noted the role of plastics in the 1967 film The Graduate and Niki referred to this Washington Post article on the magnitude of plastic pollution in in the United States.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Neil shared historian Josh Clark Davis’ Atlantic article on the FBI crackdown on black-owned bookstores.
• Natalia discussed this Sexing History podcast episode on the sexual harassment of flight attendants.
• Niki commented on Fergie’s rendition of the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game and shared Cindy Boren’s Washington Post article that placed it in the context of poorly regarded national anthem performances.

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil debate the release of the Obamas’ presidential portraits, the first Gerber Baby with Down syndrome, and the storied history of the sanitation worker.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The presidential and First Lady portraits of the Obamas have been released to more fanfare than is customary. Neil mentioned Obama White House photographer Pete Souza’s Instagram account and his recently published book of photos of President Obama. Niki commented on Andrew Jackson’s official portrait by Ralph E. W. Earl. Natalia referenced this Slate interview with art historians about the Obama portraits.
• The Gerber Baby, for the first time, has Down syndrome. Natalia shared David Perry’s Pacific Standard article advocating Gerber go further in working toward disability rights and the historical timeline written by the National Association for Downs Syndrome.
• Sanitation is dangerous, crucial work, as a recent New York Times op-ed argued. Natalia cited Kiera Feldman’s Mother Jones article about the history of the industry, and Neil discussed Martin Luther King Jr.’s involvement in the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, including his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Neil discussed William R. Black’s Atlantic article, “Abraham Lincoln’s Secret Visits to Slaves.”
• Natalia shared the podcast Atlanta Monster.
• Niki talked about the history of marshmallows as chronicled in Jesse Rhodes’ Smithsonian article, “It’s a Marshmallow World.”

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia debate the Nunes memo and the GOP’s attack on the FBI, the recent stock market plummet, and the prospect of Korean reconciliation through the Winter Olympics.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• #ReleasetheMemo took over Twitter last week. Niki cited this Politico piece explaining “computational propaganda” that helped spread it. Natalia referred to the episode of Trumpcast that further explained how the meme went viral.
• The stock market recently plummeted over one thousand points. Neil discussed President Obama’s spokesperson Jay Carney’s observation that the Obama White House deliberately never took credit for the health of the stock market.
• The Winter Olympics kick off in PyeongChang, South Korea this week, prompting many to wonder about its political impact on the region. Natalia cited Heather Dichter’s Made By History essay about the Cold War era precedents for this year’s contest as well as a Backstory episode about the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” She also recommended David Wallace Adams’ classic Education for Extinction for its exploration of the politics of sport.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Neil shared Daina Ramey Berry’s New York Times article, “Beyond the Slave Trade, the Cadaver Trade.”
• Natalia commented on historian Brooke Blower’s book Becoming Americans in Paris.
• Niki discussed Tyler Huckabee’s Washington Post article, “The Radical – But Gentle – Faith of Mister Rogers.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate the flu, the fate of the Cleveland Indians’ mascot Chief Wahoo, and the normalization of female pain.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• 2017-18 is set to be one of the worst flu seasons in recent history. Natalia cited John M. Barry’s work at Smithsonian Magazine and in his book The Great Influenza. She also cited Derek Beres’ essay about homeopathy in Public Seminar.
• The Cleveland Indians will abandon the controversial Chief Wahoo logo next year. Natalia cited Andrew McGregor’s Washington Post piece on athletic “safe spaces” for conservative politics as well as Philip Deloria’s book Playing Indian. Niki referenced the National Coalition of American Indians video “Proud to Be.”
• Lili Loofbourow’s essay on female pain, “The Female Price of Male Pleasure,” went viral. Natalia cited a Healthline article about the “husband stitch” as well as John D’Emilio and Estelle Freedman’s book Intimate Matters.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Neil discussed the creation of a new literary award, the Staunch Book Prize.
• Natalia commented on Dr. Jen Gunter’s medical blog, in particular her account of Gwyneth Paltrow’s New York City event.
• Niki shared this Guardian article about the bloodthirsty history of the nature documentary.