Associate Professor of History, Eugene Lang College, The New School

Past Present

Dolly Parton

Past Present Podcast, Episode 257

December 2, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Dolly Parton has just added public health benefactor to her long list of career accomplishments. Natalia referred to Sarah Smarsh’s writing about Parton, and Niki referenced the podcast Dolly Parton’s America and the longstanding appeal of 9 to 5. In our ...

History

Thanksgiving and COVID-19

Past Present Podcast, Episode 256

November 25, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: For many families, Thanksgiving will look very different this year. Niki wrote about the myth that the “Greatest Generation” was naturally self-sacrificing. Neil referred to this Takeout article about Sarah Josepha Hale’s role in establishing Thanksgiving. Natalia referenced Depression-era Thanksgiving ...

Past Present

A Possible Coronavirus Vaccine

Past Present Podcast, Episode 255

November 18, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced a promising new coronavirus vaccine. Niki referred to historian Joanna Radin’s Washington Post piece on the connections between cattle breeding and vaccine distribution and political scientist Dan Drezner’s article about the Trump administration’s cavalier approach ...

North America

The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election

Past Present Podcast, Episode 254

November 10, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is the President-Elect of the United States. Natalia mentioned this New York Times interview with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in reference to possible challenges within the Democratic coalition. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making ...

Past Present

Sacha Baron Cohen and Satire in the Trump Era

Past Present Podcast, Episode 253

November 4, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest sendup of American political culture. Niki and Neil commented on Sam Thielman’s NBC Think review, and Natalia cited this BBC piece from a Kazakh perspective. Niki also drew on Maureen ...

Past Present

“Emily in Paris” and American Francophilia

Past Present Podcast, Episode 252

October 27, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Emily in Paris is a hit on Netflix, perhaps due in equal parts to escapism and hate-watching. Natalia referenced her Well + Good roundup of Parisian fitness, and the show Younger. Niki discussed the novel The Ugly American. Neil referred ...

Democracy

Court Packing

Past Present Podcast, Episode 251

October 20, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The Senate confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett have raised questions about the ethics of “court packing.” Neil recommended this Politico piece about the historical significance of FDR’s court packing. Natalia referenced Jamelle Bouie’s column defending the act, and Niki ...

North America

Trump, Coronavirus, and Presidential Health

Past Present Podcast, Episode 250

October 13, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, and much of his inner circle quickly reported positive diagnoses as well. Natalia referred to this Vanity Fair article linking the slow response to the pandemic to its early prevalence in blue ...

Past Present

The Proud Boys

Past Present Podcast, Episode 249

October 6, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: At last week’s presidential debate, President Trump drew attention to the all-male street gang, the Proud Boys, when he told them to “stand back and stand by.” Niki commented on the group’s founder, Gavin McInnes. Natalia discussed how the example ...

Democracy

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Past Present Podcast, Episode 248

September 30, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: At age 87, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died earlier this month. Natalia referred to historian Jeffrey Melnick’s Twitter thread on the appropriative nature of the term “Notorious RBG” and to the book by the same title. Niki recommended ...

Multi Media

The Controversy over “Cuties”

Past Present Podcast, Episode 247

September 23, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Cuties, a French independent film released in the United States has inspired opposition. Niki referred to the connection between the critics’ fear of perversion and the current furor over pedophilia among some on the Right, discussed in Rolling Stone. In our ...

Media

Jessica Krug and Racial Identity Theft

Past Present Podcast, Episode 246

September 15, 2020 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: George Washington University historian Jessica Krug has been posing as a Black woman for years, and recently outed herself online. Neil referred to Martha Sandweiss’ book, Passing Strange: A Gilded Tale of Love and Deception Across the Color Line. Natalia ...