In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss controversy over the “OK” sign, the Black Israelite sect, and the history of CIA disguises.
Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:
When cadets flashed the “OK” sign, a gesture that has become a symbol of white power, an investigation by Army and Navy officials ensued. Natalia cited anthropologist Clifford Geertz’ “Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture.” Niki recommended ProPublica’s ongoing coverage of white nationalism. Recent murders in Jersey City have directed new attention to the fringe sect that calls itself the Black Hebrew Israelites. Niki referred to this Code Switch interview with historian Marc Dollinger about his book, Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s. The CIA’s former Chief of Disguise has donated some of her collection to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Natalia recommended this Washington Post op-ed by Jonna Hiestand Mendez, the retiring chief, about her work as a CIA agent. Neil discussed Matthew Avery Sutton’s book, Double-Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War.
In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:
Natalia shared her own Public Seminar article, “The Precarious Labor of the Fitpro.” Neil discussed Christianity Today editorial, “Trump Should Be Removed From Office.” Niki discussed Rachel Tashjian’s GQ article, “Why the Codpiece Remains One of Menswear’s Most Essential Accessories,” and this Twitter thread about the timeless accessory.
Episode 406: Neil J. Young's "Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right"
Episode 405: Controversies over Christmas “Classics”
Episode 404: George Santos
Episode 403: Nikki Haley
Episode 402: Home Ownership and the History of Mortgages
Episode 401: The History of Drive-Thru Dining
Episode 400: The History of U.S. Divorce Laws
Episode 399: Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican Chaos
Episode 398: The History of Restaurant Reservations
Episode 397: The Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Tours
Episode 396: The History of Historic Preservation
Episode 395: TED Talks and the History of Public Speaking
Episode 394: Sen. John Fetterman and the Senate Dress Code
Episode 393: Ibram X. Kendi and the Controversy over the Center for Antiracist Research
Episode 392: The New Crisis of Masculinity
Episode 391: The History of Telemarketing
Episode 390: A History of the Mugshot
Episode 389: West Virginia University and the Attack on American Universities
Episode 388: The Hollywood Strike
Episode 387: Trigger Warnings
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free