In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss outrage over an Ancestry.com ad, vigilante groups policing the U.S.-Mexico border, and the controversy over cargo shorts.

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

• Ancestry.com released – and quickly pulled – an advertisement depicting a romantic relationship between an African-American woman and a white man in the 19th century. Natalia recommended historian Annette Gordon-Reed’s book on Sally Hemings, and historian Megan Kate Nelson’s Washington Post article about a Nike ad celebrating “the Lost Cause.”
• A vigilante group called the United Constitutional Patriots has been “helping” Border Patrol police the southern border of the United States. Niki recommended this Washington Post piece about the Netflix film The Highwaymen, and Natalia referred to historian Greg Grandin’s article at The Intercept that placed the UCP in a longer history. Natalia also noted this Vulture piece that argues that Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” is an anthem for the Trump era. Niki recommended following Dara Lind, Kathleen Belew, and Carly Goodman on Twitter for their commentary on the white power movement.
• Cargo pants, a decidedly bland style, have inspired surprisingly intense controversy, including recently on right-wing Twitter. Natalia recommended this article at The Cut historicizing the style, and this piece at The Wall Street Journal about women’s distaste for the pocketed pants.

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

• Natalia commented on Ben Cosgrove’s Time article, “’Brawny and Buoyant’: A Portrait of West Coast Youth of the 1950s.”
• Neil talked about Arielle Pardes’ Wired article, “Helvetica, the World’s Most Popular Font, Gets a Face Lift.”
• Niki discussed her own article on the Mueller Report at The Sydney Morning Herald and Jack Goldsmith and Benjamin Wittes’ Lawfare article, “The Watergate Road Map: What It Says and What It Suggests for Mueller.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the fire at Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral, President Trump’s attacks against Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and the history of liberal think tanks.

Support Past Present on Patreon: http://www.pastpresentpodcast.com/episodes

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

• The world watched as Paris’ iconic Notre Dame Cathedral was engulfed in flames last week. Natalia recommended this Atlantic article that highlights the tension between the French tradition of laïcité and Notre Dame’s status as a national icon.
• Sparked in part by President Trump’s incendiary remarks, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has become the target of vicious attacks. Niki cited this New Yorker profile about Omar’s popularity among her constituents.
• A Center for American Progress video criticizing Bernie Sanders for downplaying his substantial wealth is raising questions about the biases of the liberal think tank.

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

• Natalia shared about her recent visit to the Wolfsonian Institute at Florida International University.
• Neil discussed the new Netflix series, “Special.”
• Niki recommended the Hulu series, “Shrill.”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the influence of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, the resurgence of measles in the United States and the anti-vaccination movement, and the plight of adjunct professors.

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

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

• A spate of departures at the Department of Homeland Security has brought attention to stalwart Trump hardliner Stephen Miller. Natalia cited this Atlantic profile of Miller, as well as her own book, Classroom Wars, which focuses on the California school system in which Miller formed his worldview. Niki cited Adam Serwer’s Atlantic article, “The Cruelty is the Point.”
• Measles, once thought to be eradicated in the United States, is back thanks in part to a robust anti-vaccination movement. Natalia mentioned this press release from the Anti-Defamation League, and Niki cited this study sympathetic to the anti-vaccine cause.
• Adam Harris’ Atlantic article about the death of historian Thea Hunter has invigorated conversation about the adversity facing adjunct professors. Niki referred to this article at the American Prospect about the unionization of adjuncts.

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

• Natalia recommended Rosa Lyster’s Outline article, “Listen Up, Bitches, It’s Time to learn Incorrect Things About Someone You’ve Never Heard Of.”
• Neil discussed the White House’s screening of the anti-abortion film Gosnell.
• Niki shared Ben Guarino’s Washington Post article, “Algorithms Gave Us the Black Hole Picture. She’s the 29-year-old Scientist Who Helped Create Them.”

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the case for reparations, why leggings are so controversial, and the legacy of rapper Nipsey Hussle.

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

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

• Reparations for slavery have gained renewed currency among policymakers. Neil referred to Ta-Nehisi Coates’ 2014 essay, “The Case for Reparations.” Niki recommended Jamelle Bouie’s response to this essay in Slate.
• A University of Notre Dame mother’s plea against leggings has made national news. Natalia recommended historian Deirdre Clemente’s book Dress Casual and referred to this New York Times article recommending that women forsake leggings for sweatpants.
• Rapper Nipsey Hussle was murdered in Los Angeles last week. Natalia drew on the work of hip hop scholar Tricia Rose.

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

• Natalia recommended Alice Hines’ New York Times article, “ Kid. Wanna Teach Some Yoga?”
• Neil discussed the decision of the mayor of Ocala, Florida to proclaim a “Confederate Memorial Day.”
• Niki discussed the work of two historians who won prizes at the recent Organization of American Historians annual meeting: Martha Jones and Julia Bowes.

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the Mueller Report, the movement to end the Electoral College, and why not many Americans eat arugula lettuce.

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

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

• Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s long-awaited report has been released, though the public has only received a four-page summary, issued by Attorney General William Barr. Niki referred to the high standard set by the Watergate Scandal, which she wrote about in the Washington Post.
• The Electoral College is one of the most confusing institutions in American politics, and a new movement to abolish it is gathering steam. Natalia recommended Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times op-ed making a progressive case for its abolition.
• Arugula lettuce, Amanda Mull recently argued in the Atlantic, is underappreciated. Niki referred to the lettuce’s Jewish history, as chronicled in the Forward.

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

• Natalia reflected on one University of Notre Dame mother’s plea against leggings.
• Neil discussed the television miniseries, “The Assassination of Gianni Versace.”
• Niki recommended the new NPR podcast, Believed.