Spectres of Fascism

A conversation with James Miller

Eurozine · Fascism for our time? ‘Fascism’ has entered America’s political lexicon as a way to understand and oppose the rise of the far-right. Trump’s polemics against the left have also propelled the label ‘antifascism’ into the mainstream. But are we really seeing a US fascism? What baggage does the concept ...
Read More
Placeholder

Sacha Baron Cohen and Satire in the Trump Era

Past Present Podcast, Episode 253

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder

“Emily in Paris” and American Francophilia

Past Present Podcast, Episode 252

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder

Court Packing

Past Present Podcast, Episode 251

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder

Trump, Coronavirus, and Presidential Health

Past Present Podcast, Episode 250

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder

The Proud Boys

Past Present Podcast, Episode 249

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Past Present Podcast, Episode 248

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder

The Controversy over “Cuties”

Past Present Podcast, Episode 247

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder

Jessica Krug and Racial Identity Theft

Past Present Podcast, Episode 246

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder

Ron Jeremy and the Adult Film Industry’s #MeToo Problem

Past Present, Episode 245

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: More than a dozen women have come forward to accuse porn actor Ron Jeremy of sexual assault.Natalia referred to historian Estelle B. Freedman’s book, Redefining Rape: Sexual Violence in the Era of Suffrage and Segregationand to Lorelei Lee’s personal essay ...
Read More
Placeholder

Lovecraft Country

Past Present, Episode 224

Lovecraft Country is attracting attention for its blend of historical drama and horror. Niki discussed this hybrid genre, as explained at Vox. She also mentioned the documentary, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. Neil compared Lovecraft Country to Colson Whitehead’s recent novel, The Underground Railroad. Natalia referred to this ...
Read More
Placeholder

The 2020 Democratic National Convention

Past Present Podcast, Episode 243

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 ...
Read More
Placeholder