Neil J. Young

Neil J. Young
Opinion writer at The Week and co-host of the history podcast Past Present
neiljyoung.com/
Past Present

The 2020 Democratic National Convention

Past Present Podcast, Episode 243

August 25, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: This week, the Democratic Party is holding its national convention—entirely online. Neil referred to Ed Kilgore’s New York magazine article about the role of television in shaping conventions. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Teresa Ghilarducci’s Bloomberg Opinion ...
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Past Present

The Biden-Harris Ticket

Past Present Podcast, Episode 242

August 18, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Kamala Harris is the 2020 Democratic vice-presidential candidate. Niki wrote about the significance of her candidacy for Inside Story magazine. Natalia referenced historian Martha Jones’s Washington Post essay; Niki referred to Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times op-ed on Harris’s blackness. ...
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Past Present

QAnon

Past Present Podcast, Episode 241

August 13, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Spread online, QAnon is a conspiracy theory that claims “deep state” traitors, connected to a cabal of pedophiles, are plotting to undermine President Trump and the United States. Niki and Neil referred to Adrienne LaFrance’s Atlantic essay contextualizing “Q”’s prophecies. ...
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Past Present

The Portland Protests

Past Present Podcast, Episode 240

August 6, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Protests continue in Portland, where President Trump has deployed federal forces. Niki discussed this episode of This Day in Esoteric Political History. Natalia recommended following the Twitter feeds of scholars of fascism Federico Finchelstein and Jason Stanley.  In our regular closing ...
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Past Present

Margaret Sanger

Past Present Podcast, Episode 239

July 28, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Planned Parenthood of Greater New York announced it will remove the name of founder Margaret Sanger from its Manhattan health clinic. Neil referred to this blog post about Sanger’s ableism. Natalia referenced this Twitter thread by Imani Gandy, and this ...
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Past Present

Karens

Past Present Podcast, Episode 238

July 22, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The “Karen” meme, referring to a white woman weaponizing that privilege against people of color, has exploded on social media. Niki referred to this column at The Root and Natalia cited this article by Nina Burleigh.  In our regular closing feature, ...
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Past Present

Student Visas

Past Present Podcast, Episode 237

July 15, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: President Donald Trump has threatened that international students attending American universities that are teaching entirely online must return to their home countries. Niki referred to Adam Serwer’s 2018 Atlantic article, “The Cruelty is the Point,” and to this Washington Post ...
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Past Present

Social Media Deplatforming

Past Present Podcast, Episode 236

July 7, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Social media platforms like Reddit are taking a harder line on regulating extremist content. Natalia referred to this article about the undisclosed relationship between Ben Shapiro’s conservative sites and Facebook, and to this Vice piece about the effectiveness of social ...
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Past Present

Defund the Police

Past Present Podcast, Episode 235

July 1, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Calls to defund or abolish the police have become a rallying cry among protestors of racial violence. Niki discussed Derek Thompson’s call to “unbundle the police.” Natalia referred to this National Review piece that argues many communities want more policing, ...
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Past Present

Larry Kramer, Playwright and AIDS Activist

Past Present Podcast, Episode 233

June 16, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Pioneering AIDS activist Larry Kramer died this month. Natalia referred to this Vulture interview about Kramer’s legacy. Neil commented on Kramer’s autobiographical play, The Normal Heart.  In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended the Netflix documentary, Crip Camp: A ...
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Past Present

Police Violence

Past Present Podcast, Episode 232

June 10, 2020 • by , and
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has set off protests over police brutality across the country and the world. Niki referenced this Slate article, and Neil referred to historian Elizabeth Hinton’s New York Times opinion ...
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