In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of blackface, political upheaval in Venezuela, and the demise of Valentine’s Day conversation hearts.
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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:
Two top Virginia Democrats have admitted to wearing blackface. Natalia pointed to a recent Gucci turtleneck that many have called sartorial blackface. Niki referred to Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times op-ed about the bar for unacceptable racism in the United States and historian Rhae Lynn Barnes’ Washington Post piece on the history of blackface among American politicians. Venezuela is in extreme turmoil. Niki cited this Washington Post piece on Trump’s dangerous tactics vis-à-vis Venezuela by historians Federico Finchelstein and Pablo Piccato. Natalia recommended this primer on the “petrostate” from the Council on Foreign Relations. The conversation hearts that have for so long been a Valentine’s Day staple will not be widely available this February 14. Natalia recommended this Smithsonian Magazine article on the history of chocolate as a more sensual Valentine’s Day gift.
In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:
Natalia discussed the Netflix documentary, “Abducted in Plain Sight.” Neil shared the Atlantic article, “Sears Once Sold Heroin.” Niki commented on Victoria Saker Woeste’s Washington Post article, “Why Ford Needs to Grapple With Its Founder’s Anti-Semitism.”