We’ve completed our second season of UnTextbooked! Our team of young producers have done phenomenal work exploring topics and questions that really matter, including episodes about the War on Terror, Native American boarding schools, population control, and much more.In this episode our editor Bethany Denton shares excerpts from four of her favorite Season 2 episodes:Is every presidency doomed to fail?Can the War on Terror ever truly end?Does population control work?Why were Native American kids required to attend boarding schools?Want to be part of our team for season 3? Apply here. Music: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

We’ve completed our second season of UnTextbooked! Our team of young producers have done phenomenal work exploring topics and questions that really matter, including episodes about the War on Terror, Native American boarding schools, population control, <a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">and much more</a>.In this episode our editor Bethany Denton shares excerpts from four of her favorite Season 2 episodes:<a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/is-every-presidency-doomed-to-fail" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Is every presidency doomed to fail?</a><a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/can-the-war-on-terror-ever-truly-end" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Can the War on Terror ever truly end?</a><a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/does-population-control-work" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Does population control work?</a><a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/why-were-native-american-kids-required-to-attend-boarding-schools" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why were Native American kids required to attend boarding schools?</a>Want to be part of our team for season 3? <a href="http://untextbooked.org/apply" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apply here</a>. Music: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Best of Season 2

The Cold War was a decades-long military conflict that dominated geopolitics in the latter half of the 20th century. And as Americans, we often see it framed as a binary conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union; one that ended around the time the Berlin Wall came down in 1989. But historian Odd Arne Westad, author of The Global Cold War, thinks that version of the story is incomplete. The US and USSR never engaged in direct combat with one another, so the Cold War was fought indirectly via proxy wars and embargoes, and many Third World countries are still dealing with the effects. On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Anya Dua interviews Dr. Westad about the global impacts of the Cold War, more than thirty years after it ended.Book: The Global Cold WarGuest: Dr. Odd Arne Westad, Professor of history at Yale UniversityProducer: Anya DuaMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

The Cold War was a decades-long military conflict that dominated geopolitics in the latter half of the 20th century. And as Americans, we often <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/opinion/cold-war-american-soviet-victory.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">see it framed</a> as a binary <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">conflict</a> between the United States and the Soviet Union; one that ended around the time the Berlin Wall <a href="https://time.com/5720386/berlin-wall-fall/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">came down</a> in 1989. But historian <a href="https://history.yale.edu/people/arne-westad" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Odd Arne Westad</a>, author of <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/global-cold-war/75870878657DC67E0BC70FA7D2388494" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Global Cold War</a>, thinks that version of the story is incomplete. The US and USSR never engaged in direct combat with one another, so the Cold War was fought indirectly via <a href="https://www.britannica.com/study/major-cold-war-events" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">proxy wars</a> and embargoes, and many <a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-first-second-and-third-world-countries-origin-of-concept-and-present-beliefs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Third World</a> countries are <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2021/08/18/russia-and-americas-overlapping-legacies-in-afghanistan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">still dealing</a> with the effects. On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Anya Dua interviews Dr. Westad about the global impacts of the Cold War, more than thirty years after it ended.Book: <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/global-cold-war/75870878657DC67E0BC70FA7D2388494" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Global Cold War</a>Guest: <a href="https://history.yale.edu/people/arne-westad" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Odd Arne Westad</a>, Professor of history at Yale UniversityProducer: Anya DuaMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Did anyone win the Cold War? 

The United States is still reckoning with its history of racism. For a century after slavery ended, US businesses, banks, schools, and neighborhoods were segregated by race. It took a series of Supreme Court cases and acts of Congress to legally ban discrimination based on race, but discrimination isn’t just a switch that can be turned from “on” to “off.”  The legacy of these unfair laws still affect Black Americans today.One example of this is is a method of housing discrimination called “redlining”. It refers to the practice of banks and federal agencies denying loans for homes in neighborhoods deemed too “high risk”, which was often code for “not white.” This made it harder for Black Americans to buy homes, which made it harder to accrue generational wealth. As a result, Black Americans are more likely to live in neighborhoods with lower property values.  And in a country where public schools are funded by property taxes, this is a difficult cycle to break. In effect, the United States is still segregated, but unofficially.Richard Rothstein has been studying this disparity for a long time. He wrote about it in his book The Color of Law. On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Jonathan Dabel interviews Mr. Rothstein about the lasting effects of redlining on Black Americans.Book: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated AmericaGuest: Richard Rothstein, PhD, Distinguished Fellow of the Economic Policy Institute and a Senior Fellow (emeritus) at the Thurgood Marshall Institute of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.Producer: Jonathan DabelMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman﻿

The United States is still reckoning with its history of racism. For a <a href="https://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/what.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">century</a> after slavery ended, US businesses, banks, schools, and neighborhoods were segregated by race. It took a series of <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/history/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Supreme</a> <a href="https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/loving-v-virginia-1967/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Court</a> <a href="https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/atlanta-motel-v-united-states/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cases</a> and <a href="https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/legislative-milestones/voting-rights-act-1965" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">acts</a> of <a href="https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/epilogue.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Congress</a> to legally ban discrimination based on race, but discrimination isn’t just a switch that can be turned from “on” to “off.”  The legacy of these unfair laws still affect Black Americans today.One example of this is is a method of housing discrimination called “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/realestate/what-is-redlining.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">redlining</a>”. It refers to the practice of banks and federal agencies denying loans for homes in neighborhoods deemed too “high risk”, which was often code for “not white.” This made it harder for Black Americans to buy homes, which made it harder to accrue generational wealth. As a result, Black Americans are more likely to live in neighborhoods with lower property values.  And in a country where public schools are funded by property taxes, this is a difficult cycle to break. In effect, the United States is still <a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/schools-are-still-segregated-and-black-children-are-paying-a-price/#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">segregated</a>, but unofficially.Richard Rothstein has been studying this disparity for a long time. He wrote about it in his book <a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/the-color-of-law-a-forgotten-history-of-how-our-government-segregated-america/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Color of Law</a>. On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Jonathan Dabel interviews Mr. Rothstein about the lasting effects of redlining on Black Americans.Book: <a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/the-color-of-law-a-forgotten-history-of-how-our-government-segregated-america/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America</a>Guest: <a href="https://www.epi.org/people/richard-rothstein/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Richard Rothstein, PhD</a>, Distinguished Fellow of the Economic Policy Institute and a Senior Fellow (emeritus) at the <a href="https://tminstituteldf.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thurgood Marshall Institute</a> of the <a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NAACP Legal Defense Fund</a>.Producer: Jonathan DabelMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman﻿</a>

Did segregation in America ever really end?

There is a fundamental duality in how Asian Americans are perceived in our country. They’ve at times been held up as the “model minority”, affirming this idea that the American Dream is alive and well if only immigrants could work harder.  At other times they’ve been regarded as threatening and perpetually foreign. A recent example of this is the dramatic rise in anti-Asian violence in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Victor Ye interviews Dr. Erika Lee, author of The Making of Asian America: A History. They discuss the history of Asians in America and why stereotypes from hundreds of years ago still persist today.Book: The Making of Asian America: A HistoryGuest: Erika Lee, PhD, History Professor at the University of MinnesotaProducer: Victor YeMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

There is a fundamental duality in how Asian Americans are perceived in our country. They’ve at times been held up as the “<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/05/25/999874296/6-charts-that-dismantle-the-trope-of-asian-americans-as-a-model-minority" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">model minority</a>”, affirming this <a href="https://www.dartmouth.edu/~hist32/Hist33/US%20News%20&amp;%20World%20Report.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">idea</a> that the American Dream is alive and well if only immigrants could work harder.  At other times they’ve been regarded as <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-24/150th-anniversary-los-angeles-chinese-massacre" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">threatening</a> and <a href="https://www.dailybulletin.com/2021/03/30/new-survey-shows-asian-americans-perceived-as-perpetual-foreigners-in-u-s/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">perpetually foreign</a>. A recent example of this is the <a href="https://stopaapihate.org/stop-aapi-hate-national-report-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dramatic rise</a> in anti-Asian violence in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Victor Ye interviews <a href="http://www.erikalee.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Erika Lee</a>, author of <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Making-of-Asian-America/Erika-Lee/9781476739410" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Making of Asian America: A History</a>. They discuss the history of Asians in America and why stereotypes from hundreds of years ago still persist today. Book: <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Making-of-Asian-America/Erika-Lee/9781476739410" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Making of Asian America: A History</a>Guest: <a href="http://www.erikalee.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Erika Lee, PhD</a>, History Professor at the University of MinnesotaProducer: Victor YeMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

When will Asian Americans stop being seen as "perpetual foreigners"?

American food is unlike anything else in the world. And it goes a lot deeper than hamburgers and pizza. The thing that makes American food special is the stunning variety of options and how accessible it is to the average consumer. Also some regional American dishes that are impossible to find anywhere else on the planetDr. Paul Freedman is a historian who thinks that all of these factors--standardization, variety, and regionality--can tell us a lot about American culture and identity.On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Grace Davis interviews Dr. Freedman about his book American Cuisine: and How it Got This Way.Book: American Cuisine: and How it Got This WayGuest: Dr. Paul Freedman, Professor of History at Yale University Producer: Grace DavisMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

American food is unlike anything else in the world. And it goes a lot deeper than <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-other-countries-make-american-food-is-2018-4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hamburgers and pizza</a>. The thing that makes American food special is the stunning <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmariani/2020/04/13/how-immigrants-from-everywhere-made-american-food-the-most-diverse-in-the-world/?sh=2908c7591286" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">variety</a> of options and how accessible it is to the average consumer. Also some <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/best-american-foods-from-all-50-states/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">regional</a> American dishes that are impossible to find anywhere else on the planet<a href="https://history.yale.edu/people/paul-freedman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Paul Freedman</a> is a historian who thinks that all of these factors--standardization, variety, and regionality--can tell us a lot about American culture and identity.On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Grace Davis interviews Dr. Freedman about his book <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631494628" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Cuisine: and How it Got This Way</a>.Book: <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631494628" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Cuisine: and How it Got This Way</a>Guest: <a href="https://history.yale.edu/people/paul-freedman" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Paul Freedman</a>, Professor of History at Yale University Producer: Grace DavisMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

What does American cuisine tell us about the United States?

It’s no secret that society will eventually have to transition away from fossil fuels. Some governments and businesses think the answer is biofuels,like ethanol.  Ethanol is a type of alcohol—the same type of alcohol that humans have been producing for millenia.  And so, in much of the world, the techniques to produce ethanol are already known and exploited.  All it takes is the fermentation of sugary crop, like potatoes, corn, or sugarcane.  The result is a clear liquid fuel that can power engines, similar to gasoline. Brazil has long been the world’s leading producer of sugarcane.  In the 1970’s, Brazil started switching more and more of its fuel supply over to ethanol.  What started as an effort to combat the trade embargoes turned into a large-scale experiment on alternative fuels.  But the story of Brazilian ethanol is complicated—It’s a worldwide industry predicated on exploitative labor and has significant environmental problems of its own. On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Jessica Chiriboga interviews Jennifer Eaglin,  about the history of Brazil’s ethanol industry. They discuss the conditions that primed Brazil to make the transition, and the lessons learned along the way.Book: Sweet Fuel: A Political and Environmental History of Brazilian Ethanol Guest:  Jennifer Eaglin, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental History and Sustainability at Ohio State UniversityProducer: Jessica ChiribogaMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman﻿

It’s no secret that society will <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/planned-fossil-fuel-extraction-would-blow-past-warming-limits/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">eventually</a> have to transition away from fossil fuels. Some governments and businesses think the answer is <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/biofuel-basics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">biofuels</a>,like <a href="https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/ethanol/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ethanol</a>.  Ethanol is a type of alcohol—the same type of alcohol that humans have been producing for millenia.  And so, in much of the world, the techniques to produce ethanol are already known and exploited.  All it takes is the fermentation of sugary crop, like <a href="https://spudsmart.com/converting-potato-waste-ethanol/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">potatoes</a>, <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2019/04/02/building-evidence-corn-ethanols-greenhouse-gas-profile" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">corn</a>, or <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/sugarcane-ethanol" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sugarcane</a>.  The result is a clear liquid fuel that can power engines, <a href="https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol_fuel_basics.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">similar to gasoline</a>. Brazil has long been the world’s <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/495973/sugar-production-worldwide/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">leading producer of sugarcane</a>.  In the 1970’s, Brazil <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/495973/sugar-production-worldwide/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">started switching</a> more and more of its fuel supply over to ethanol.  What started as an effort to combat the <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-oil-embargo-sparked-energy-independence-in-brazil/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">trade embargoes</a> turned into a large-scale experiment on alternative fuels.  But the story of Brazilian ethanol is complicated—It’s a worldwide industry predicated on <a href="https://revealnews.org/podcast/the-bitter-work-behind-sugar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">exploitative labor</a> and has significant <a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/the_case_against_ethanol_bad_for_environment" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">environmental problems</a> of its own. On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Jessica Chiriboga interviews <a href="https://history.osu.edu/people/eaglin.5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer Eaglin</a>,  about the history of Brazil’s ethanol industry. They discuss the conditions that primed Brazil to make the transition, and the lessons learned along the way.Book: Sweet Fuel: A Political and Environmental History of Brazilian Ethanol Guest:  <a href="https://history.osu.edu/people/eaglin.5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer Eaglin</a>, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental History and Sustainability at Ohio State UniversityProducer: Jessica ChiribogaMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman﻿</a>

Why do Brazilian cars run on sugar?

Resilience

For centuries, Iran had a strict social hierarchy that prevented women—particularly upper class women—from participating in public life. This started to change in the early 20th century when Iranians became disillusioned with the ruling class and had a constitutional revolution. This new constitution established a parliament, public schools, and also opened the door for women to start asserting their own rights to education and employment. Following the constitutional revolution was a period of rapid modernization in Iran. Girls were allowed to go to school, and women were encouraged to stop veiling to look more like their European counterparts. Over the course of a few decades, women’s role in society changed dramatically.In 1979, their roles changed again. Islamic fundamentalists were frustrated by Western influence on Iran’s culture and economy, and ushered in another revolution. Almost overnight, women were once again restricted from participating in public life.This history fascinates UnTextbooked producer Arya Barkesseh. He’s Iranian American, and after witnessing a White Wednesday protest while on a family trip to Tehran, he wanted to know more about the evolution of women’s rights in Iran. On this episode of UnTextbooked, Arya interviews Dr. Janet Afary, author of the book Sexual Politics in Modern Iran. They discuss the cultural context for both the constitutional and Islamic revolutions, and the ways in which Persian women have asserted agency in big and small ways throughout history.Book: Sexual Politics in Modern IranGuest: Janet Afary, PhD, professor of religious studies at the University of California, Santa BarbaraProducer: Arya BarkessehMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman﻿

For centuries, Iran had a strict <a href="https://www.sssup.it/UploadDocs/14639_7_R_Women_and_Politics_in_Iran__Veiling_Unveiling_and_Reveiling_Hamideh_Sedghi.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">social hierarchy</a> that prevented women—particularly upper class women—from participating in public life. This started to change in the early 20th century when Iranians became disillusioned with the ruling class and had a <a href="https://greyartgallery.nyu.edu/2015/12/a-brief-history-of-20th-century-iran/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">constitutional revolution</a>. This new <a href="https://fis-iran.org/en/resources/legaldoc/iranconstitution" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">constitution</a> established a parliament, public schools, and also opened the door for women to start <a href="https://women.ncr-iran.org/2018/08/06/remembering-iran-s-brave-women-constitutional-revolution/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">asserting</a> their own rights to education and employment. Following the constitutional revolution was a period of rapid <a href="https://asiasociety.org/education/iran-20th-century" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">modernization</a> in Iran. Girls were allowed to go to <a href="https://women.ncr-iran.org/2018/08/06/remembering-iran-s-brave-women-constitutional-revolution/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">school</a>, and women were encouraged to stop <a href="https://blog.uvm.edu/imorgens-rel195a/2019/12/04/reza-shah-pahlavis-anti-veiling-initiative-feminist-overture-or-authoritarian-imperialism/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">veiling</a> to look more like their European counterparts. Over the course of a few decades, women’s role in society changed dramatically.In 1979, their roles changed again. Islamic fundamentalists were frustrated by Western influence on Iran’s culture and economy, and ushered in another <a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-iranian-islamic-revolution-1978-1979.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">revolution</a>. Almost <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47032829" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">overnight</a>, women were once again restricted from participating in public life.This history fascinates UnTextbooked producer Arya Barkesseh. He’s Iranian American, and after witnessing a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40218711" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">White Wednesday protest</a> while on a family trip to Tehran, he wanted to know more about the evolution of women’s rights in Iran. On this episode of UnTextbooked, Arya interviews <a href="https://janetafary.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Janet Afary</a>, author of the book <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/sexual-politics-in-modern-iran/FE45625E63204DFBF52B982BF090F9D6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sexual Politics in Modern Iran</a>. They discuss the cultural context for both the constitutional and Islamic revolutions, and the ways in which Persian women have asserted agency in big and small ways throughout history.Book: <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/sexual-politics-in-modern-iran/FE45625E63204DFBF52B982BF090F9D6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sexual Politics in Modern Iran</a>Guest: <a href="https://janetafary.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Janet Afary, PhD</a>, professor of religious studies at the University of California, Santa BarbaraProducer: Arya BarkessehMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman﻿</a>

What does resilience look like for Iranian women?

There’s a lot of evidence that America is more divided than ever. Our politics, media, and ideologies are so polarized that it puts a stress on our unity as a country. But Dr. Denis Lacorne says that, in spite of that tension, America’s strength comes from our nation’s commitment to tolerance. The trick is figuring out the balance of tolerating the intolerant.On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Karly Shepherd interviews Dr. Lacorne about his book The Limits of Tolerance. They explore the origins of the concept, and its impact on American culture.Book: The Limits of Tolerance. Enlightenment Values and Religious FanaticismGuest: Dr. Denis Lacorne, senior research fellow at the Paris Institute of Political Studies Producer: Karly ShepherdMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

There’s a lot of <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/11/13/america-is-exceptional-in-the-nature-of-its-political-divide/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">evidence</a> that America is more divided than ever. Our politics, media, and ideologies are <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2019-09-25/how-americans-were-driven-extremes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">so polarized</a> that it puts a stress on our unity as a country. But <a href="https://www.sciencespo.fr/ceri/en/cerispire-user/7163/1295" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Denis Lacorne</a> says that, in spite of that tension, America’s strength comes from our nation’s commitment to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=src_bVy9Wg8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tolerance</a>. The trick is figuring out the balance of <a href="https://www.sciencespo.fr/ceri/en/content/tolerance-political-interview-denis-lacorne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tolerating the intolerant</a>.On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Karly Shepherd interviews Dr. Lacorne about his book <a href="http://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-limits-of-tolerance/9780231187145" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Limits of Tolerance</a>. They explore the origins of the concept, and its impact on American culture. Book: <a href="http://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-limits-of-tolerance/9780231187145" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Limits of Tolerance. Enlightenment Values and Religious Fanaticism</a>Guest: <a href="https://www.sciencespo.fr/ceri/en/cerispire-user/7163/1295" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Denis Lacorne</a>, senior research fellow at the Paris Institute of Political Studies Producer: Karly ShepherdMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

How did tolerance become an American value?

The Founders of the United States envisioned the presidency as an office that would be minimal in reach.  They didn’t want the USA to be a monarchy. But incrementally, the executive branch has expanded.  And now, scholars like Dr. Jeremi Suri argue that the modern presidency is crushed by its own power and unable to be fully wielded by the President, leading to decades of broken promises and deep disillusionment amongst citizens.On this episode, UnTextbooked producer Lap Nguyen interviews Professor Suri about the shifting nature of the presidency and why FDR is such a hard act to follow. Book: The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America's Highest OfficeGuest: Dr. Jeremi Suri, Professor of Public Affairs and History at University of Texas, AustinProducer: Lap NguyenMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

The Founders of the United States envisioned the presidency as an office that would be <a href="https://today.law.harvard.edu/feature/presidential-power-surges/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">minimal in reach</a>.  They didn’t want the USA to be a monarchy. But incrementally, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-theory/wp/2016/03/08/the-growth-of-executive-power-has-turned-politics-into-war/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the executive branch has expanded</a>.  And now, scholars like <a href="https://lbj.utexas.edu/suri-jeremi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Jeremi Suri</a> argue that the modern presidency is crushed by its own power and unable to be fully wielded by the President, leading to decades of broken promises and deep disillusionment amongst citizens.On this episode, UnTextbooked producer Lap Nguyen interviews Professor Suri about the shifting nature of the presidency and why FDR is such a hard act to follow. Book: <a href="https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/jeremi-suri/the-impossible-presidency/9780465051731/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America's Highest Office</a>Guest: <a href="https://lbj.utexas.edu/suri-jeremi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Jeremi Suri</a>, Professor of Public Affairs and History at University of Texas, AustinProducer: Lap NguyenMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Is every presidency doomed to fail? 

UnTextbooked producer Sydne Clarke thinks that African American history is often oversimplified or overlooked. Often that history is taught as things that happened to African Americans. We don’t often hear about the ways in which African Americans fought for and took care of themselves. Dr. Leslie Alexander studies Black resistance movements, particularly in America. In her research Dr. Alexander has discovered communities and people who were vital to Black activism, but are often forgotten in re-telling African American history.On this episode of UnTextbooked, Sydne interviews Dr. Alexander about her book African or American? Black Identity and Political Activism in New York City, 1784-1861. They talk about the creation of Black-led organizations for mutual aid, and about how African heritage influenced Black activism then and now.Book: African or American? Black Identity and Political Activism in New York City, 1784-1861Guest: Dr. Leslie Alexander, associate professor of history and African American studies at Arizona State UniversityProducer: Sydne ClarkeMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

UnTextbooked producer Sydne Clarke thinks that African American history is often oversimplified or overlooked. Often that history is taught as things that happened to African Americans. We don’t often hear about the ways in which African Americans fought for and took care of themselves. <a href="https://drlesliealexander.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Leslie Alexander</a> studies Black resistance movements, particularly in America. In her research Dr. Alexander has discovered <a href="https://www.centralparknyc.org/articles/seneca-village" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">communities</a> and <a href="https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/russwurm-john-1799-1851/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">people</a> who were vital to Black activism, but are often forgotten in re-telling African American history.On this episode of UnTextbooked, Sydne interviews Dr. Alexander about her book <a href="https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p078538" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">African or American? Black Identity and Political Activism in New York City, 1784-1861</a>. They talk about the creation of Black-led organizations for mutual aid, and about how African heritage influenced Black activism then and now.Book: <a href="https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p078538" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">African or American? Black Identity and Political Activism in New York City, 1784-1861</a>Guest: <a href="https://drlesliealexander.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Leslie Alexander</a>, associate professor of history and African American studies at Arizona State UniversityProducer: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4DYgR4rNqPmedv8LE1yZAy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sydne Clarke</a>Music: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

How did Black Americans forge a cultural identity?

A history podcast for the future. Brought to you by teen changemakers who are looking for answers to big questions. We interview famous historians who have some of the answers. These intergenerational conversations bring the full power of history to you with the depth and vividness that most textbooks lack. Real history, to help you find answers to your big questions. UnTextbooked makes history unboring forever. 

The Greek poet Archilochus said “a fox knows many things, a hedgehog knows one big thing.” This phrase inspired a famous essay by a 20th century philosopher named Isaiah Berlin, who said that pretty much all people can be categorized as either “foxes” or “hedgehogs”. Foxes tend to be agile and perceptive, whereas hedgehogs tend to be resolute and hyper-focused on their end goal. Historian John Lewis Gaddis took Berlin’s framework one step further. In his book On Grand Strategy, Dr. Gaddis categorizes great political leaders as landing somewhere on the fox-hedgehog spectrum: Xerxes I, Philip II, Ronald Reagan are all classic hedgehogs. Elizabeth I, Shakespeare, and Hillary Clinton are all examples of foxes. And Gaddis says if you’re lucky, you’ll sometimes have a leader who embodies both, as was the case with Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt.On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Will Bourell interviews Dr. Gaddis about the traits that make for effective and ineffective leaders.Book: On Grand StrategyGuest: John Lewis Gaddis, Professor of history at Yale UniversityProducer: Will BourellMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

The Greek poet Archilochus said “a fox knows many things, a hedgehog knows one big thing.” This phrase inspired a famous <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/aug/08/100-best-nonfiction-books-isaiah-berlin-the-hedgehog-and-the-fox-robert-mccrum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">essay</a> by a 20th century philosopher named <a href="http://www.isaiahberlin.org/en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Isaiah Berlin</a>, who said that pretty much all people can be categorized as either “foxes” or “hedgehogs”. Foxes tend to be agile and perceptive, whereas hedgehogs tend to be resolute and hyper-focused on their end goal. Historian John Lewis Gaddis took Berlin’s framework <a href="https://warontherocks.com/2018/04/vulpine-virtues-and-strategic-success/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">one step further</a>. In his book <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/529363/on-grand-strategy-by-john-lewis-gaddis/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Grand Strategy</a>, Dr. Gaddis categorizes great political leaders as landing somewhere on the fox-hedgehog spectrum: <a href="https://www.thecollector.com/king-xerxes-i/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Xerxes I</a>, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1997/08/the-king-who-sent-the-armada/376932/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Philip II</a>, <a href="https://www.hoover.org/research/ronald-reagans-one-big-thing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ronald Reagan</a> are all classic hedgehogs. <a href="https://www.royal.uk/elizabeth-i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elizabeth I</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/apr/23/stephen-jeffreys-playwright-hedgehogs-or-foxes-shakespeare" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shakespeare</a>, and <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/liveblogs/2016/02/the-democrats-duel-in-durham/460101/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hillary Clinton</a> are all examples of foxes. And Gaddis says if you’re lucky, you’ll sometimes have a leader who embodies both, as was the case with <a href="https://octavianreport.com/article/john-lewis-gaddis-secrets-grand-strategy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abraham Lincoln</a> and <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1934/02/the-roosevelt-experiment/307116/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Franklin D. Roosevelt</a>.On this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Will Bourell interviews Dr. Gaddis about the traits that make for effective and ineffective leaders.Book: <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/529363/on-grand-strategy-by-john-lewis-gaddis/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On Grand Strategy</a>Guest: <a href="https://history.yale.edu/people/john-gaddis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Lewis Gaddis</a>, Professor of history at Yale UniversityProducer: Will BourellMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Were history’s greatest leaders generalists or specialists?

With a name like “The United States of America”, it can be easy to forget that this country’s borders extend well beyond the fifty states of the union.  In fact, millions of American citizens live on US territory well outside those borders.  It’s not just Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, and the North Mariana Islands, but the many military bases we occupy across the globe too. “Empire” might not always be a word associated with the USA, but some historians  think the label fits.  Dr. Daniel Immerwahr is one of them, and he thinks that the country’s trajectory in capturing new territory bears a striking resemblance to the British Empire—the same one that the country’s architects were so often critical of. Book: How to Hide an Empire: a History of the Greater United StatesGuest: Dr. Daniel Immerwahr, Professor of history at Northwestern UniversityProducer: Elliot SmithMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

With a name like “The United States of America”, it can be easy to forget that this country’s borders extend well beyond the fifty states of the union.  In fact, millions of American citizens live on US territory well outside those borders.  It’s not just <a href="https://governor.guam.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guam</a>, <a href="https://www.usa.gov/state-government/puerto-rico" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Puerto Rico</a>, <a href="https://www.americansamoa.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Samoa</a>, <a href="https://www.vi.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the US Virgin Islands</a>, and <a href="https://governor.gov.mp/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the North Mariana Islands</a>, but the many military bases we occupy across the globe too.  “Empire” might not always be a word associated with the USA, but some historians  think the label fits.  Dr. Daniel Immerwahr is one of them, and he thinks that the country’s trajectory in capturing new territory bears a striking resemblance to the British Empire—the same one that the country’s architects were so often critical of.  Book: <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374172145" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Hide an Empire: a History of the Greater United States</a>Guest: <a href="https://history.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/core-faculty/daniel-immerwahr.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Daniel Immerwahr</a>, Professor of history at Northwestern UniversityProducer: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-smith-7b25881b9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elliot Smith</a>Music: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Is there an American Empire?

A hundred years ago, there were roughly 2 billion people in the world. Today, there are almost 8 billion. This rapid quadrupling of the world’s population has people asking, is the planet overpopulated? Some say, yes. Others say that it’s not so simple.This isn’t a new question. Researchers in the 19th and 20th centuries warned that unfettered population growth would lead to famine, poverty, and climate destruction. Some governments and aid agencies took those warnings to heart, and implemented programs to try and lower fertility rates. These programs were sometimes coercive, often incentivizing poor people to be sterilized or have abortions they didn’t want. Some societies are still living with unintended consequences of these efforts to control population. Still, the question of whether the earth is overpopulated is still contestedUnTextbooked producer Oliver Wang had always been curious about population control. He’s Chinese American, and his family had been shaped by the One-Child policy. So he read the book Fatal Misconception by Dr. Matthew Connelly to learn more. On this episode of UnTextbooked, Oliver and Dr. Connelly explore the origin and impact of population control efforts.Book: Fatal Misconception: The Struggle to Control World PopulationGuest: Dr. Matthew ConnellyProducer: Oliver WangMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

A hundred years ago, there were roughly <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/world-population-by-year/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2 billion people</a> in the world. Today, there are almost 8 billion. This rapid quadrupling of the world’s population has people asking, is the planet overpopulated? Some say, <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/10/david-attenborough-warns-planet-cant-cope-with-overpopulation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">yes</a>. Others say that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/02/17/eugenics-is-trending-thats-problem/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">it’s not so simple</a>.This isn’t a new question. Researchers in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Malthus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">19th</a> and <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/book-incited-worldwide-fear-overpopulation-180967499/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">20th</a> centuries warned that unfettered population growth would lead to famine, poverty, and climate destruction. Some <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/06/21/1008656293/the-legacy-of-the-lasting-effects-of-chinas-1-child-policy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">governments</a> and <a href="https://histphil.org/2016/06/24/how-foundations-got-the-u-s-government-invested-in-international-population-control/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">aid agencies</a> took those warnings to heart, and implemented programs to try and lower fertility rates. These programs were sometimes <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-30040790" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">coercive</a>, often <a href="https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/summer-2008-saving-the-world/how-did-population-control-movement-go-so-terribly-wrong/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">incentivizing</a> poor people to be sterilized or have abortions they didn’t want. Some societies are still living with <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/world/too-many-men/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unintended consequences</a> of these efforts to control population. Still, the question of whether the earth is overpopulated is still <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/11/06/102472/critics-blast-a-proposal-to-curb-climate-change-by-halting-population-growth/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">contested</a>UnTextbooked producer Oliver Wang had always been curious about population control. He’s Chinese American, and his family had been shaped by the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3135510/chinas-one-child-policy-what-was-it-and-what-impact-did-it" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">One-Child policy</a>. So he read the book Fatal Misconception by Dr. Matthew Connelly to learn more. On this episode of UnTextbooked, Oliver and Dr. Connelly explore the origin and impact of population control efforts.Book: <a href="https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674034600" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fatal Misconception: The Struggle to Control World Population</a>Guest: <a href="https://history.columbia.edu/person/connelly-matthew/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Matthew Connelly</a>Producer: Oliver WangMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Does population control work?

In the spring of 2021, UnTextbooked producer Gavin Scott read a headline that made his heart sink. The remains of 215 indigenous children were discovered buried in a mass grave near the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops, British Columbia. Over the next few months, more mass graves were found outside of other Canadian residential schools. Before they died, these children had been part of a program of forced assimilation. For more than a century, thousands of indigenous children in Canada were required to attend residential schools. The purpose of these schools was to teach them English and encourage them to behave more like white settlers. Survivors of the residential school system say the environment was often harsh. Lots of kids ran away, and some didn’t survive their time at school.Producer Gavin Scott is Native American, and even though he didn’t have a personal connection to the Canadian residential schools, he knew that the United States had also operated boarding schools with similar intentions. But Gavin didn’t really learn much about this history when he was in school. He wanted to know how these schools operated and how they affected the lives of students that attended them.In this episode of UnTextbooked, Gavin interviews Dr. Brenda Child. Dr. Child is a scholar of American Indian studies, and she wrote the book Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900-1940 after reading hundreds of letters written by students, families, and administrators at the Flandreau Indian School and the Haskell Institute. Gavin also interviews his Great Aunt, Babe, about her experiences attending Haskell and the Concho Indian School as a child.Book: Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900-1940Guest: Dr. Brenda Child, Professor of American Studies and American Indian Studies at the University of MinnesotaProducer: Gavin ScottMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

In the spring of 2021, UnTextbooked producer Gavin Scott read a headline that made his heart sink. The remains of 215 indigenous children were <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tk-eml%C3%BAps-te-secw%C3%A9pemc-215-children-former-kamloops-indian-residential-school-1.6043778" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">discovered</a> buried in a mass grave near the <a href="https://collections.irshdc.ubc.ca/index.php/Detail/entities/46" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kamloops Indian Residential School</a> in Kamloops, British Columbia. Over the next few months, <a href="https://ottawacitizen.com/news/canada/how-canada-forgot-about-more-than-1308-graves-at-former-residential-schools/wcm/18d376d7-7abc-42b6-a459-d964dc7ca844" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">more mass graves</a> were found outside of other Canadian residential schools.  Before they died, these children had been part of a program of forced assimilation. For more than a century, thousands of indigenous children in Canada were <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/09/30/1041836090/canada-indigenous-residential-schools-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">required</a> to attend residential schools. The purpose of these schools was to teach them English and encourage them to behave more like white settlers. Survivors of the residential school system say the environment was often <a href="https://www.facinghistory.org/stolen-lives-indigenous-peoples-canada-and-indian-residential-schools/historical-background/experience-students" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">harsh</a>. Lots of kids ran away, and some <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/researchers-say-that-tb-at-residential-schools-was-no-accident-1.5513755" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">didn’t survive</a> their time at school. Producer Gavin Scott is Native American, and even though he didn’t have a personal connection to the Canadian residential schools, he knew that the United States had also <a href="https://www.pbsutah.org/pbs-utah-productions/shows/unspoken/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">operated boarding schools</a> with similar intentions. But Gavin didn’t really learn much about this history when he was in school. He wanted to know how these schools operated and how they affected the lives of students that attended them. In this episode of UnTextbooked, Gavin interviews <a href="https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/expert/brenda-child" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Brenda Child</a>. Dr. Child is a scholar of American Indian studies, and she wrote the book <a href="https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9780803214804/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900-1940</a> after reading hundreds of letters written by students, families, and administrators at the <a href="https://www.sdpb.org/blogs/images-of-the-past/a-history-of-the-flandreau-indian-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flandreau Indian School</a> and the <a href="http://nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/1477" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Haskell Institute</a>. Gavin also interviews his Great Aunt, Babe, about her experiences attending Haskell and the <a href="https://abandonedok.com/concho-indian-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Concho Indian School</a> as a child. Book: <a href="https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9780803214804/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900-1940</a> Guest: <a href="https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/expert/brenda-child" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Brenda Child</a>, Professor of American Studies and American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota Producer: <a href="http://instagram.com/gavinhenryscott" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gavin Scott</a> Music: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Why were Native American kids required to attend boarding schools?

One morning in 1991, Senator Jesse Helms’ house was covered with a giant fake condom in an act of protest.  Helms had been a vocal opponent of funding AIDS research and he had introduced an infamous and popular bill amendment that prevented federal money from being spent on AIDS research.  There were few treatments available at the time, and with no help from the government, HIV was actively spreading across the country.  In 1991 alone, nearly 30,000 American died of AIDS, and the numbers would keep rising until the late nineties. The condom on Helms’ house was courtesy of the protest group ACT UP, which led a number of high profile direct actions meant to call attention to the AIDS crisis and get people angry.  UnTextbooked’s Jordan Pettiford was curious about queer history.  She came out to her family around the same time the Covid-19 pandemic began.  While the context of Covid felt different, she noticed some strange similarities between the present day and the history of AIDS—especially the way in which viruses become political. In this episode, Jordan interviews David France, author of How to Survive a Plague.  David France was a first-hand witness to the AIDS epidemic in New York City.  He covered the unique actions of the protest movement that called out the government’s inaction and discrimination.  Book: How to Survive a Plague: The Inside Story of How Citizens and Science Tamed AidsGuest: David France, writer and filmmakerProducer: Jordan PettifordMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

One morning in 1991, <a href="https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/aids-activists-unfurl-giant-condom-senator-jesse-helms-home-act-up" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Senator Jesse Helms’ house was covered with a giant fake condom</a> in an act of protest.  Helms had been a vocal opponent of funding AIDS research and he had introduced <a href="https://www.congress.gov/amendment/100th-congress/senate-amendment/963" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">an infamous and popular bill amendment </a>that prevented federal money from being spent on AIDS research.  There were few treatments available at the time, and with no help from the government, HIV was actively spreading across the country.  <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00021017.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In 1991 alone</a>, nearly 30,000 American died of AIDS, and the numbers would keep rising until the late nineties. The condom on Helms’ house was courtesy of the protest group <a href="https://actupny.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ACT UP</a>, which led a number of high profile <a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/survivingandthriving/education/materials/AIDS-Activism-Materials.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">direct actions</a> meant to call attention to the AIDS crisis and get people angry.  UnTextbooked’s Jordan Pettiford was curious about queer history.  She came out to her family around the same time the Covid-19 pandemic began.  While the context of Covid felt different, she noticed some strange similarities between the present day and the history of AIDS—especially the way in which viruses become political. In this episode, Jordan interviews <a href="https://www.davidfrance.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">David France</a>, author of <a href="https://surviveaplague.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Survive a Plague</a>.  David France was a first-hand witness to the AIDS epidemic in New York City.  He covered the unique actions of the protest movement that called out the government’s inaction and discrimination.  Book: <a href="https://surviveaplague.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Survive a Plague: The Inside Story of How Citizens and Science Tamed Aids</a>Guest: <a href="https://www.davidfrance.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">David France</a>, writer and filmmakerProducer: Jordan PettifordMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Can protests save lives?  How ACT UP helped tame the AIDS crisis. 

The War On Terror is the longest foreign war the United States has ever fought. So long that many of the soldiers fighting weren’t even alive when it started. But the WoT seems unusual for another reason—it’s not a war on a nation, or even an organization—it’s a war against a concept. September 11, 2001 was the alleged start date of this conflict, after the Twin Towers fell.  President George W. Bush stood before congress announcing, “Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.”For many young people, the WoT is all they’ve ever known, and it can be hard to imagine a time before the United States fought this kind of war.  But Dr. Alex Lubin counters this idea in his book: Never-Ending War on Terror.  He argues that the United States often prefers this kind of conceptual warfare, and those examples can be seen in the American Indian Wars and the response to movements such as the Black Panthers. In this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Ruba Memon talks to Dr. Lubin about living with the casual Islamophobia that’s permeated her entire life, the true meaning of the word “terrorist,” and the story of Malik Jalal, a Pakistani villager who petitioned to have his name removed from the United States’ drone-strike kill-list. Book: Never-Ending War on TerrorGuest: Dr. Alex Lubin, Professor of African American Studies at Penn State Producer: Ruba MemonMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

The War On Terror is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2021/04/15/americas-longest-foreign-wars-infographic/?sh=204ecd8948f6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the longest foreign war </a>the United States has ever fought. So long that many of the soldiers fighting weren’t even alive when it started. But the WoT seems unusual for another reason—it’s not a war on a nation, or even an organization—it’s a war against a concept. September 11, 2001 was the alleged start date of this conflict, after the Twin Towers fell.  President George W. Bush <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2001/US/09/20/gen.bush.transcript/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">stood before congress announcing</a>, “Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.”For many young people, the WoT is all they’ve ever known, and it can be hard to imagine a time before the United States fought this kind of war.  But Dr. Alex Lubin counters this idea in his book: Never-Ending War on Terror.  He argues that the United States often prefers this kind of conceptual warfare, and those examples can be seen in the <a href="https://americandiplomacy.web.unc.edu/2006/01/our-indian-wars-are-not-over-yet-ten-ways-to-interpret-the-war-on-terror-as-a-frontier-conflict/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Indian Wars</a> and the response to movements such as the <a href="https://www.upi.com/Archives/1969/07/16/J-Edgar-Hoover-Black-Panther-Greatest-Threat-to-US-Security/1571551977068/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Panthers</a>. In this episode of UnTextbooked, producer Ruba Memon talks to Dr. Lubin about living with the casual Islamophobia that’s permeated her entire life, the true meaning of the word “terrorist,” and the story of <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/malik-jalal-man-who-says-he-s-america-s-kill-list-and-can-t-get-it-a6987431.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Malik Jalal</a>, a Pakistani villager who petitioned to have his name removed from the United States’ drone-strike kill-list. Book: <a href="https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520297418/never-ending-war-on-terror" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Never-Ending War on Terror</a>Guest: <a href="https://afam.la.psu.edu/people/azl5744/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Alex Lubin</a>, Professor of African American Studies at Penn State Producer: Ruba MemonMusic: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Can the War on Terror ever truly end?

Season 2 of UnTextbooked is near! New episodes starting Monday, Octoberr 18th, 2021.  Join us for 15 more interviews where young people ask historians the questions that matter most. Watch the video trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB46hxDFQ58 And come to our launch party: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkcO6vqTkiGdRvraFhbERExj8gxGWbW2DR 

Season 2 of UnTextbooked is near! New episodes starting Monday, Octoberr 18th, 2021. Join us for 15 more interviews where young people ask historians the questions that matter most. Watch the video trailer: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB46hxDFQ58" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB46hxDFQ58</a> And come to our launch party: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkcO6vqTkiGdRvraFhbERExj8gxGWbW2DR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkcO6vqTkiGdRvraFhbERExj8gxGWbW2DR</a>

Season 2 is coming soon!

We’ve wrapped our first season of UnTextbooked!  Our producers have explored race, food, piracy, gender, medicine and so much more.  In this episode, UnTextbooked editor Bethany Denton shares five of her favorite moments from the season:How a Black teenager and his young lawyer changed America's criminal justice system. Most Americans eat like kings without realizing it. Damnation to the governor and confusion to the colony.Germany addressed its racist past. Can America do the same?History fails when it ignores the BIPOC women who made it. Would you like to be on UnTextbooked Season 2? https://www.untextbooked.org/applyMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

We’ve wrapped our first season of UnTextbooked!  Our producers have explored race, food, piracy, gender, medicine <a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">and so much more</a>.  In this episode, UnTextbooked editor Bethany Denton shares five of her favorite moments from the season:<a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/how-a-black-teenager-and-his-young-lawyer-changed-americas-criminal-justice-system" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How a Black teenager and his young lawyer changed America's criminal justice system.</a> <a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/most-americans-eat-like-kings-without-realizing-it" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Most Americans eat like kings without realizing it. </a><a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/damnation-to-the-governor-and-confusion-to-the-colony" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Damnation to the governor and confusion to the colony.</a><a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/germany-addressed-its-racist-past-can-america-do-the-same" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Germany addressed its racist past. Can America do the same?</a><a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/history-fails-when-it-ignores-the-bipoc-women-who-made-it" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">History fails when it ignores the BIPOC women who made it.</a> Would you like to be on UnTextbooked Season 2? <a href="https://www.untextbooked.org/apply" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.untextbooked.org/apply</a>Music: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Best of Season 1

Throughout this series, we’ve heard historians say that the way Americans think about race is changing, as evidenced by the unprecedented numbers of Americans marching after George Floyd’s death. And along with this surge in action are critical conversations about what it means to be an ally, and what it means to “perform” allyship.UnTextbooked producer Daniel Ardity noticed what he thought to be a lot of empty support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the summer of 2020--particularly when his Instagram feed was full of black squares one day in June. It made him wonder how he and other non-Black allies could meaningfully contribute to the movement without just adding to the noise. These questions reminded him of a lecture he’d heard about the Black-Jewish alliance during the Civil Rights Movement. Daniel is Jewish himself, and was inspired by the activism of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and his contemporaries. For many American Jews, supporting Black liberation was an expression of tikkun olam, Hebrew for “heal the world”. According to historian Cheryl Greenberg, author of Troubling the Waters: Black-Jewish Relations in the American Century, support for the Civil Rights Movement was integral to the American Jewish identity. She says this was, at least in part, because both groups are vulnerable to white supremacist violence.On this episode of UnTextbooked, Daniel interviews Cheryl Greenberg about how the Black-Jewish alliance evolved, and how it was effective even when it was not perfectly harmonious.Guest: Dr. Cheryl Lynn GreenbergBook: Troubling the Waters: Black-Jewish Relations in the American CenturyProducer: Daniel ArdityMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

Throughout this series, we’ve <a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/germany-addressed-its-racist-past-can-america-do-the-same" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">heard</a> <a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/does-america-live-up-to-its-own-ideals" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">historians</a> <a href="https://www.untextbooked.com/episodes/how-a-black-teenager-and-his-young-lawyer-changed-americas-criminal-justice-system" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">say</a> that the way Americans think about race is changing, as evidenced by the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unprecedented numbers</a> of Americans <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/06/floyd-protests-are-broadest-us-history-are-spreading-white-small-town-america/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">marching</a> after George Floyd’s death. And along with this surge in action are critical conversations about what it means to be an <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/6/2/21278123/being-an-ally-racism-george-floyd-protests-white-people" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ally</a>, and what it means to “<a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/6/9/21285062/ijeoma-oluo-interview-talk-race-book-george-floyd-protests" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">perform</a>” allyship.UnTextbooked producer <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielArdity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daniel Ardity</a> noticed what he thought to be a lot of empty support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the summer of 2020--particularly when his Instagram feed was full of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/style/instagram-blackout.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">black squares</a> one day in June. It made him wonder how he and other non-Black allies could meaningfully contribute to the movement without just adding to the noise. These questions reminded him of a lecture he’d heard about the <a href="https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/martin-luther-king-jr-the-civil-rights-movement-and-american-jews/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black-Jewish alliance</a> during the Civil Rights Movement. Daniel is Jewish himself, and was inspired by the <a href="https://www.jewishexponent.com/2013/01/16/remembering-an-iconic-civil-rights-bond/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">activism</a> of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and his contemporaries. For many American Jews, supporting Black liberation was an expression of <a href="https://time.com/5441818/pittsburgh-tikkun-olam-history/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tikkun olam</a>, Hebrew for “heal the world”. According to historian Cheryl Greenberg, author of <a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691146164/troubling-the-waters" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Troubling the Waters: Black-Jewish Relations in the American Century</a>, support for the Civil Rights Movement was integral to the American Jewish identity. She says this was, at least in part, because both groups are <a href="https://www.politicalresearch.org/2017/06/29/skin-in-the-game-how-antisemitism-animates-white-nationalism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">vulnerable</a> to white supremacist violence.On this episode of UnTextbooked, Daniel interviews Cheryl Greenberg about how the Black-Jewish alliance evolved, and how it was effective even when it was not perfectly harmonious.Guest: <a href="https://internet3.trincoll.edu/facProfiles/Default.aspx?fid=1000458" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Cheryl Lynn Greenberg</a>Book: <a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691146164/troubling-the-waters" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Troubling the Waters: Black-Jewish Relations in the American Century</a>Producer: <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielArdity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daniel Ardity</a>Music: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Why did American Jews march for Black equality? 

People in the West have many harmful perceptions about Muslim women being submissive or oppressed. In fact, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that only 19% of Americans believed that Islam is respectful of women. These beliefs have been reinforced for centuries through media portrayals and stereotypes. One of those persistent stereotypes is that Muslim women are forced against their will to wear hijab, and as a result the veil has come to symbolize women’s oppression. These misconceptions have led to some countries to ban or restrict hijab.UnTextbooked producer Jana Amin grew up in Egypt, and never thought much about women around her wearing veils. It wasn’t until she moved to the United States that she started hearing about what Americans believed about Muslims wearing hijab. It wasn’t her experience that women in Egypt were forced to veil, and she wanted to understand why so many non-Muslims had such strong opinions about Muslim women’s expression of faith and identity.Jana found the work of historian Leila Ahmed, author of A Quiet Revolution: The Veil’s Resurgence, from the Middle East to America. The book explores not only the evolution of the veil’s popularity throughout history, but also contends that Western misconceptions of the veil’s symbolism are a vestige of British colonialism. And from that perspective, donning the veil could be understood as an act of resistance. Book: A Quiet Revolution: The Veil’s Resurgence, from the Middle East to AmericaGuest: Dr. Leila AhmedProducer: Jana AminMusic: Silas Bohen and Coleman HamiltonEditors: Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman

People in the West have many harmful <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/08/muslim-women-representation-media-politics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">perceptions</a> about Muslim women being submissive or oppressed. In fact, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2011/07/21/chapter-2-how-muslims-and-westerners-view-each-other/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">only 19%</a> of Americans believed that Islam is respectful of women. These beliefs have been reinforced <a href="http://www.asma-lamrabet.com/articles/muslim-women-s-veil-between-the-colonial-ideology-and-traditionalist-islamic-ideology-a-decolonized-vision/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">for centuries</a> through <a href="https://shop.mediaed.org/reel-bad-arabs-p133.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">media portrayals</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-muslim-women-book/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-muslim-woman-new-book-challenges-stereotypes-idUSKCN1Q92XP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">stereotypes</a>. One of those persistent stereotypes is that Muslim women are <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-truths-about-the-hijab-that-need-to-be-told-63892" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">forced</a> against their will to wear <a href="https://www.facinghistory.org/civic-dilemmas/brief-history-veil-islam" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hijab</a>, and as a result the veil has come to symbolize women’s oppression. These misconceptions have led to some <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/10-european-countries-restrict-religious-attire-muslim-women" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">countries</a> to ban or restrict hijab.UnTextbooked producer <a href="https://www.janaamin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jana Amin</a> grew up in Egypt, and never thought much about women around her wearing veils. It wasn’t until she moved to the United States that she started hearing about what <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/national/nearly-americans-would-deny-muslim-american-citizens-the-right-vote-new-report-finds/3JaLmKciEigUGNSjG27QWN/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Americans</a> believed about Muslims wearing hijab. It wasn’t her experience that women in Egypt were forced to veil, and she wanted to understand why so many non-Muslims had such strong opinions about Muslim women’s expression of faith and identity.Jana found the work of historian <a href="https://hds.harvard.edu/people/leila-ahmed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leila Ahmed</a>, author of <a href="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300181432/quiet-revolution" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Quiet Revolution: The Veil’s Resurgence, from the Middle East to America</a>. The book explores not only the evolution of the veil’s <a href="https://harvardmagazine.com/2011/09/the-veils-revival" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">popularity</a> throughout history, but also contends that Western misconceptions of the veil’s symbolism are a vestige of British <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/87499/hidden-in-plain-sight" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">colonialism</a>. And from that perspective, donning the veil could be understood as an act of resistance. Book: <a href="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300181432/quiet-revolution" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Quiet Revolution: The Veil’s Resurgence, from the Middle East to America</a>Guest: <a href="https://hds.harvard.edu/people/leila-ahmed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Leila Ahmed</a>Producer: <a href="https://www.janaamin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jana Amin</a>Music: Silas Bohen and <a href="https://colemanbhamilton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coleman Hamilton</a>Editors: <a href="https://www.bethanydenton.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bethany Denton</a> and <a href="http://jeffemtman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeff Emtman</a>

Why do so many Westerners fear the veil?

A history podcast for the future. Brought to you by teen changemakers who are looking for answers to big questions. We interview famous historians who have some of the answers. These intergenerational conversations bring the full power of history to you with the depth and vividness that most textbooks lack. Real history, to help you find answers to your big questions. UnTextbooked makes history unboring forever.

UnTextbooked

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