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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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The Biden-Harris Ticket

Past Present Podcast, Episode 242

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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QAnon

Past Present Podcast, Episode 241

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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The Portland Protests

Past Present Podcast, Episode 240

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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Margaret Sanger

Past Present Podcast, Episode 239

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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Karens

Past Present Podcast, Episode 238

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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Student Visas

Past Present Podcast, Episode 237

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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Social Media Deplatforming

Past Present Podcast, Episode 236

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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