The brutal trade in enslaved people within the US has been largely whitewashed out of history
The brutal trade in enslaved people within the US has been largely whitewashed out of history A trade card with printed black type for the domestic slave traders Hill, Ware and Chrisp. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Joshua D. Rothman, University of Alabama For my recently published book, “The […]
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‘Imagine’ at 50: Why John Lennon’s ode to humanism still resonates
‘Imagine’ at 50: Why John Lennon’s ode to humanism still resonates Fifty years ago, did John Lennon tell us not to pray?Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Phil Zuckerman, Pitzer College ‘Imagine’ at 50: Why John Lennon’s ode to humanism still resonates – Fifty years ago, John Lennon released one of the most beautiful, inspirational and catchy pop […]
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A brief history of ketchup
A brief history of ketchup Heinz is why ketchup seemed to become distinctly American.Reuters/Mike Blake Ken Albala, University of the Pacific A brief history of ketchup – Trade wars have an interesting way of revealing cultural stereotypes. Countries often propose tariffs not on the most valuable items in their trading relationships – since that would be […]
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Tattoos have a long history going back to the ancient world – and also to colonialism
The Picts, the indigenous people of what is today northern Scotland, were documented by Roman historians as having complex tattoos. Theodor de Bry, via Wikimedia Commons Allison Hawn, Arizona State University Tattoos have a long history going back to the ancient world – and also to colonialism. While most of us would likely care to […]
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Returning the ‘three sisters’ – corn, beans and squash – to Native American farms nourishes people, land and cultures
The ‘three sisters’ are staple foods for many Native American tribes. Marilyn Angel Wynn/Getty Images Christina Gish Hill, Iowa State University Returning the ‘three sisters’ – corn, beans and squash – to Native American farms nourishes people, land and cultures Historians know that turkey and corn were part of the first Thanksgiving, when Wampanoag peoples shared […]
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What a baker from ancient Pompeii can teach us about happiness
As they do today, threats of destruction loomed in ancient Pompeii. Art Media/Print Collector via Getty Images Nadejda Williams, University of West Georgia What a baker from ancient Pompeii can teach us about happiness In a testament to its resiliency, happiness, according to this year’s World Happiness Report, remained remarkably stable around the world, despite a […]
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The story of Nearest Green, America’s first known Black master distiller
The story of Nearest Green, America’s first known Black master distiller George Green – the son of distiller Nathan ‘Nearest’ Green – was one of seven generations of the Green family who worked for the Jack Daniel’s distillery. Wikimedia Commons Stefanie Benjamin, University of Tennessee When you hear the name Jack Daniel, whiskey probably comes to […]
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How Native students fought back against abuse and assimilation at US boarding schools
How Native students fought back against abuse and assimilation at US boarding schools Native American students at the Carlisle Indian School, circa 1899. Library of Congress/Corbis Historical Collection/VCG via Getty Images Sarah Klotz, College of the Holy Cross As Indigenous community members and archaeologists continue to discover unmarked graves of Indigenous children at the sites of […]
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The Internet Archive turns 25 years old help save it
The Internet Archive has been fighting for 25 years to keep what’s on the web from disappearing – and you can help People are warned that what they post on the internet will live forever. But that’s not really the case. 3alexd/E+ via Getty Images Kayla Harris, University of Dayton; Christina Beis, University of Dayton, and […]
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The disturbing history of how conservatorships were used to exploit, swindle Native Americans
The disturbing history of how conservatorships were used to exploit, swindle Native Americans The Osage Nation were once among the wealthiest people in the world. FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Andrea Seielstad, University of Dayton Pop singer Britney Spears’ quest to end the conservatorship that handed control over her finances and health care to her father demonstrates the […]
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How Sarah Baartman’s hips went from a symbol of exploitation to a source of empowerment for Black women
Sarah Baartman was an international sensation of objectification.British Library Rokeshia Renné Ashley, Florida International University How Sarah Baartman’s hips went from a symbol of exploitation to a source of empowerment for Black women In “BLACK EFFECT,” a track from Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s 2018 collaborative album “EVERYTHING IS LOVE,” Beyoncé describes a quintessential Black female form: […]
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Zaila Avant-garde – 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee champ
Zaila Avant-garde – 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee champ – stands where Black children were once kept out Zaila Avant-garde is the first Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee.Jim Watson/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Shalini Shankar, Northwestern University When Zaila Avant-garde, 14, won the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee on July 8, 2021, she […]
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