In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss billionaire Robert F. Smith’s historic gift to the Morehouse College class of 2019, a proposed fur ban in New York City, and the opening of a chic new hotel in the TWA terminal.

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

• Private equity billionaire Robert F. Smith surprised the graduating class of Morehouse College when he promised to pay off their college loan debt, a sum totaling an estimated $40 million. Niki referred to this Slate article that posited the gift as a “natural experiment.” Natalia cited this Wall Street Journal article about Smith’s unique approach to investing. Neil recommended this Dissent article about the extent of the student loan crisis. Niki referred to Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom’s book Lower Ed.
• New York City is considering a ban on the sale of fur, but some residents are fighting back hard. Neil recommended Jasmine Sanders’ New York Times article, “A Black Legacy, Wrapped Up in Fur.”
• The TWA terminal at John F. Kennedy airport has reopened – as a high-end hotel. Natalia recommended this Louis magazine article about the downfall of TWA.

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

• Natalia recommended Britni de la Cretaz’ Longreads article, “An Audience of Athletes: The Rise and Fall of Feminist Sports.”
• Neil discussed his latest column for The Week, “Censoring gay marriage on TV could be an ominous sign of things to come.”
• Niki shared DeNeen L Brown’s Washington Post article, “Harriet Tubman is already appearing on $20 bills whether Trump Officials like it or not.”

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss a proposed “sex strike,” historian David McCullough’s new book, and the life and legacy of Doris Day.

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

• Actor and activist Alyssa Milano this week suggested that women withhold sex from men until women achieve “bodily autonomy.” Natalia referred to Christian writer Laura Turner’s tweets about the role of paternalistic religion in shaping an anti-abortion worldview.
• Historian David McCullough has written a new bestselling book that has historians frustrated for its dated views about westward expansion. Natalia recommended Rebecca Onion’s review of The Pioneers at Slate, while Niki highlighted the shortcomings of another at NPR. Natalia suggested @ProfWehrman’s tweets contextualizing McCullough’s work, and Niki recommended an alternative text, Anna-Lisa Cox’s The Bone and Sinew of the Land.
• Film star and songstress Doris Day has died. Natalia referred to Anthony Lane’s reflections on her legacy at the New Yorker and to the series on “Dead Blondes” by the Hollywood podcast You Must Remember This.

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

• Natalia shared Lyz Lenz’ Columbia Journalism Review article, “The Heavy Crown of Gretchen Carlson.”
• Neil discussed the death of iconic architect I.M. Pei.
• Niki reflected on the influence of “Grumpy Cat” on meme culture in the wake of the cat’s recent death.

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the concept of “electability,” the gender policing of South African runner Caster Semenya, and the legacy of Christian writer Rachel Held Evans.

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

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

• With over 20 Democratic candidates in the running, “electability” is a hot topic of conversation among pundits. Natalia referred to historian Claire Potter’s New York Times article on likeability.
• South African runner Caster Semenya has been banned from competing due to her elevated testosterone levels. Natalia cited this Quillette article supporting the ban. Niki noted this New Republic article about gender testing of athletes. Natalia recommended historian Lindsay Parks Pieper’s Washington Post article about the racialized history of gender testing in sports.
• Known as “the most polarizing woman in evangelicalism,” Rachel Held Evans died unexpectedly earlier this month. Neil referred to Evans’ departure from evangelicalism and Natalia commented on Evans’ book A Year of Biblical Womanhood and writer A.J. Jacobs’ very different book The Year of Living Biblically.

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

• Natalia shared Sarah Treleaven’s Medium article, “The Enduring Appeal of Escapism: A History of Wellness Retreats.”
• Neil discussed Matt Smith’s Reveal article, “The Happiest Cats on Earth.”
• Niki reflected on A.C. Thompson’s ProPublica article, “Once Defiant, All Four Supremacists Charged in Charlottesville Violence Plead Guilty.”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the legacy of filmmaker John Singleton, an anti-Semitic cartoon in the New York Times, and the latest social media sensation, TikTok.

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

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

• Filmmaker John Singleton has died. Natalia discussed this article by Singleton in the Hollywood Reporter about whether a white director can make a great black movie. She also cited Tom Wolfe’s book Radical Chic and Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers. Niki cited this interview with Singleton in the New York Times.
• The international edition of the New York Times printed a cartoon many have criticized as anti-Semitic. Natalia endorsed part of Bret Stephens’ argument in the New York Times.
• TikTok, a social media app few Americans over 30 have heard of, has more users than Twitter. Niki recommended Taylor Lorenz’ article at the Atlantic and mentioned this NPR article to which Lorenz responded.

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

• Natalia reflected on the history of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
• Neil discussed the new emperor of Japan, reported here at BBC News.
• Niki shared Jonah Engel Bromwich’s New York Times article, “The Raisin Situation.”