How did FBI and police spy on student activists in the 1960s South, and how does that compare to campus surveillance today? Methods, motives, and legacy explained.
civil rights
Mum Bett vs. Dred Scott: Two Very Different Freedom Lawsuits
They both sued for freedom, but Mum Bett helped kill slavery in Massachusetts while Dred Scott helped entrench it nationwide. Here’s how and why they differed.
Interracial Love in 1960s New York
An interracial couple walking hand in hand in 1960s Midtown Manhattan looked ordinary. It was not. Here’s what it meant in law, daily life, and American history.
Cesar Chavez, Abuse Allegations, and Rethinking Icons
New allegations claim civil rights icon Cesar Chavez abused girls for years. How do we weigh his labor legacy against possible crimes? A clear historical explainer.
The 1924 Hillsborough Mob and the Fight for Repair
In 1924 a mob drove the first Black homeowners out of wealthy Hillsborough, CA. A century later their descendant is suing. Here’s what happened and why it matters.
Virginia Christian: 5 Hard Truths Behind Her Execution
The 1912 execution of 17-year-old Virginia “Gennie” Christian exposed race, gender, and justice in Jim Crow Virginia. Here are 5 hard truths behind her case.
The Life of Maya Angelou
Known for her beautiful memoir I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings, Maya Angelou is a critically acclaimed … The Life of Maya AngelouRead more