Past Present

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**Past Present**

Past Present brings together three historians to discuss what’s happening in American politics and culture today. Natalia, Neil, and Niki bring historical insights to the news of the day, offering listeners an alternative to the reflexive and polarized world of punditry. Interested in the world around you but exhausted by rote reactions and partisan talking points? You’ve come to the right place.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 247: The Controversy over "Cuties" Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the controversial new Netflix film, Cuties.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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 regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed Matthew Remski's Medium GEN article, "Inside Kelly Brogan's Covid-Denying, Vax-Resistant Conspiracy Machine."
Neil shared Doug Mack's Lonely Planet article, "From Neon Shovels to Crystal Skulls – the Wild History of the Memphis Pyramid."
Niki recommended Amanda Mull's Atlantic article, "Why Everything is Sold Out."

Episode 246: Jessica Krug and Racial Identity Theft Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the racial dissembling of historian Jessica Krug.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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 referenced this interview with Rachel Dolezal.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed the controversy over enforcing "video-on" while teaching remotely.
Neil shared about Matthew Gilbert's Boston Globe article, "The Brits do crime shows really, really well."
Niki recommended John Hodgman's book, Vacationland, as well as his podcast, Judge John Hodgman.

Episode 245: Ron Jeremy and the Adult Film Industry's #MeToo Problem Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss new charges of sexual assault against porn actor Ron Jeremy.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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 Segregation and to Lorelei Lee's personal essay about sex work in n+1.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed this petition put forth by the New York City dance community.
Neil shared about the HBO documentary, Welcome to Chechnya.
Niki recommended Nellie Bowles' New York Times article, "God Is Dead. So is the Office. These People Want to Save Both."

Episode 244: Lovecraft Country Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the new HBO series, Lovecraft Country.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

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 history of the "sundown town" at Slate and to historian Allyson Hobbs' work on The Negro Motorist Green Book.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended the Netflix series, Selling Sunset.
Neil reflected on Jerry Falwell Jr.'s resignation as president of Liberty University amid an alleged sex scandal.
Niki discussed Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman's new book, Big Friendship.

Episode 243: The 2020 Democratic National Convention Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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 piece, "Remote College is Still More Valuable than a Gap Year."
Neil shared the new podcast series, "Forgotten: Women of Juárez."
Niki discussed Jaya Saxena's Atlas Obscura article, "Rhode Island Has One Great Culinary Invention, and it's Coffee Milk."

Episode 242: The Biden-Harris Ticket Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss presidential hopeful Joe Biden's selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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' Washington Post essay; Niki referred to Jamelle Bouie's New York Times op-ed on Harris' blackness. Natalia cited this Jacobin article criticizing Harris and to pieces like this one paying new attention to the 1948 vice-presidential candidacy of Charlotta Bass. We previously discussed Kamala Harris on Episode 195 last year.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia shared Evgenia Peretz's Vanity Fair article, "Keeping Up with the Millers: Stephen Miller and his Wife, Katie, Found Love in a Hateful Place."
Neil recommended Padma Lakshmi's new Hulu show, "Taste the Nation."
Niki discussed the Luminary podcast, "Fiasco."

Episode 241: QAnon Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the conspiracy theory known as QAnon.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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. Natalia referred to this Rolling Stone article about the late John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s role in the QAnon imagination.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended Irina Aleksander's New York Times Magazine article, "Sweatpants Forever."
Neil discussed the controversy over Ellen DeGeneres' behavior on set – and how her celebrity defenders aren't helping her case.
Niki talked about Barrett Swanson's New Republic article, "What I Learned From the Worst Novelist in the English Language."

Episode 240: The Portland Protests Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the continued unrest in Portland and the deployment of federal forces to quell it.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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 feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended the podcasts Once Upon a Time…in the Valley and The Last Days of August.
Neil discussed Christopher Knight's Los Angeles Times article, "It's time to chop down the 'lynching tree' from this California city's logo."
Niki talked about Heather Schwedel's Slate article, "It Was the Coolest Phone I'd Ever Seen."

Episode 239: Margaret Sanger Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the decision by the Planned Parenthood Federation of New York to disavow Margaret Sanger for her ties to eugenics.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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 article by legal scholar Michele Goodwin.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended Katherine Rosman's New York Times article, "On the Latest Boutique Fitness Playlist: Black Lives Matter."
Neil discussed Emile Dirks' and James Leibold's New York Times article, "China is Harvesting the DNA of its People. Is this the Future of Policing?"
Niki talked about Andrew Kahrl's New York Times article, "Who Will Get to Swim this Summer?"

Episode 238: Karens Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the "Karen" meme.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended Mary Trump's new book, Too Much and Never Enough.
Neil discussed David Waldstein's New York Times article, "Scrabble Tournaments Move Toward Banning Ethnic Slurs."
Niki talked about Blazedale's A. Taco article, "The Los Angeles Mayor Who Was Also a KKK Leader."

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