Selects: What were the Freedom Schools? | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Dive deep into the corridors of history with "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," where Rachel Maddow and a team of speakers broaden the narrative of the civil rights movement, particularly the indomitable spirit of the Freedom Riders. In the episode "Taken for a Ride," Herbert Kaplow of NBC News recounts the chilling violence faced by media attempting to document these activists, who daringly confronted the bigotry rooted in the South's bus terminals. Listeners will catch a glimpse of what it truly meant to challenge not only segregation laws but also the social norms that bolstered racial hierarchy, as examined by Isaac-Davy Aronson and Kellie Carter Jackson.

Amidst the retelling of historical activism, Maddow seamlessly connects the deceptions of the past to present-day political strategies, drawing stark comparisons to the controversial moves by Governor Ron DeSantis. The episode sheds light on the enduring manipulation within politics, while also honoring the altruistic responses from communities faced with the consequences of these schemes. As the conversation travels from the civil rights era to our current times, with insights from Gabrielle Emanuel and Sherrilyn Ifill, "Taken for a Ride" serves as a sobering reminder of the media's power and the continuous evolution of societal norms and political decency.

If you could spend several weeks in the body of someone of a different race, would you? In 1959, one man tried to do this. White journalist John Howard Griffin darkened his skin to appear like a Black man, then traveled for six weeks throughout the segregated Southern US. Griffin predicted that he’d experience racial discrimination, and he hoped this outcome would convince white Americans that the US was not the racism-free country they thought it was. In Black Like Me, Griffin’s account of his journey, he argues that his hypothesis was correct: Black Southerners faced brutal racism.

In this guide, we’ll describe Griffin’s experiences passing as a Black man and share his conclusions about Southern race relations. Throughout this guide, we’ll contextualize Griffin’s experiences and ideas by exploring the history of racism according to experts such as Ibram X. Kendi and Michelle Alexander. Furthermore, we’ll outline critics’ opinions of this controversial book. Finally, we’ll examine the relevance of Griffin’s ideas to life today.

Do you feel like social justice advocacy has gone too far? Or like you have to constantly be careful about what you say? The authors of Cynical Theories agree and explain how this came to be. While past movements for equality used to fight for concrete issues, the authors contend that contemporary activists and scholars are instead more concerned with policing language and culture, shutting down rational debate, and challenging the very foundations of liberal society.

In our guide to Cynical Theories, we’ll show how, in the authors’ view, social justice scholarship and activism changed from a force for good to a dangerous movement with totalitarian tendencies. We’ll also discuss why the tenets of liberalism—namely freedom of speech and belief in science—are more important now than ever. Through our commentary, we’ll offer insights and alternate views on the history of social justice and its impact on our modern world.

Since the 2016 election, America has witnessed college campus protests against “controversial” or “dangerous” speakers. The Coddling of the American Mind explores this phenomenon, showing how a set of dangerous and false beliefs have taken root in the minds of today’s college students, convincing these young people that they are inherently fragile and must be protected from the allegedly harmful impacts of speech with which they disagree. This attitude threatens academic freedom, undermines democracy, and is ultimately harmful to the social and emotional development of today’s youth.

In his classic 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom, Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman argues that a society cannot maintain political freedom without a robust commitment to free-market capitalism—and that for capitalism to function best, it must be free of government interference. It is hard to overstate the extent to which Friedman’s once-controversial ideas have triumphed. Over the past 40 years, governments across the world have moved to market-based solutions by reducing marginal tax rates, eliminating tariffs, privatizing public monopolies, and introducing choice in public education. Some might disagree about the effects of Friedman’s ideas—but no one can deny their influence.

Dive deep into the corridors of history with "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," where Rachel Maddow and a team of speakers broaden the narrative of the civil rights movement, particularly the indomitable spirit of the Freedom Riders. In the episode "Taken for a Ride," Herbert Kaplow of NBC News recounts the chilling violence faced by media attempting to document these activists, who daringly confronted the bigotry rooted in the South's bus terminals. Listeners will catch a glimpse of what it truly meant to challenge not only segregation laws but also the social norms that bolstered racial hierarchy, as examined by Isaac-Davy Aronson and Kellie Carter Jackson.

Amidst the retelling of historical activism, Maddow seamlessly connects the deceptions of the past to present-day political strategies, drawing stark comparisons to the controversial moves by Governor Ron DeSantis. The episode sheds light on the enduring manipulation within politics, while also honoring the altruistic responses from communities faced with the consequences of these schemes. As the conversation travels from the civil rights era to our current times, with insights from Gabrielle Emanuel and Sherrilyn Ifill, "Taken for a Ride" serves as a sobering reminder of the media's power and the continuous evolution of societal norms and political decency.

Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming delivers candid reflections on the life of the first African-American first lady. Offering a window into her personal evolution, Michelle details how ambition, hard work, and embracing her authentic story helped her journey from her family’s Chicago working-class neighborhood to a 47th-floor law office, then to the White House and beyond.

Becoming provides insights into Michelle’s self-determination: She pushed herself to excel in Ivy League classrooms and achieve a prestigious career by age 26, then mustered the courage to swerve off that path in search of greater fulfillment. It details her relationship with Barack—a love story of two opposites—and their challenging quest to navigate family and political life. Through it all, we witness a woman who perpetually strives to become a better version of herself.

Conventional accounts of American history tend to focus on the people at the top—presidents, generals, CEOs, and other influential figures and their struggles, ambitions, hopes, and dreams. But what about average people? The ones who had to live with the consequences of elite decisions, and who often struggled in obscurity? In A People’s History of the United States, historian Howard Zinn aims to tell their story, providing a bottom-up view of American history focusing on Indigenous people, Black Americans, women, laborers, and activists.

Our guide outlines Zinn’s interpretation of significant events, themes, and historical trends in American history. Through our commentary, we’ll provide alternative opinions on the motivations behind and consequences of historical events. We’ll also further explain Zinn’s approach to history and provide additional context for his arguments as well as his perspective on events that happened after the book’s publication.

Dive deep into the corridors of history with "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," where Rachel Maddow and a team of speakers broaden the narrative of the civil rights movement, particularly the indomitable spirit of the Freedom Riders. In the episode "Taken for a Ride," Herbert Kaplow of NBC News recounts the chilling violence faced by media attempting to document these activists, who daringly confronted the bigotry rooted in the South's bus terminals. Listeners will catch a glimpse of what it truly meant to challenge not only segregation laws but also the social norms that bolstered racial hierarchy, as examined by Isaac-Davy Aronson and Kellie Carter Jackson.

Amidst the retelling of historical activism, Maddow seamlessly connects the deceptions of the past to present-day political strategies, drawing stark comparisons to the controversial moves by Governor Ron DeSantis. The episode sheds light on the enduring manipulation within politics, while also honoring the altruistic responses from communities faced with the consequences of these schemes. As the conversation travels from the civil rights era to our current times, with insights from Gabrielle Emanuel and Sherrilyn Ifill, "Taken for a Ride" serves as a sobering reminder of the media's power and the continuous evolution of societal norms and political decency.

Jimmy Carter isn’t remembered as a great president, but he’s come to be revered for his work as a humanitarian. However, in His Very Best, biographer Jonathan Alter presents a fresh perspective on the groundbreaking work Carter did in Washington. Instead of focusing on the hardships America suffered during Carter’s time in office, Alter draws attention to the long-term effects of what Carter accomplished while president. Alter paints Carter as deeply principled yet politically short-sighted in a way that let him achieve great things while undermining his legacy.

In this guide, we’ll show how Carter’s early life shaped his political career and his journey to the presidency. We’ll look at the various roles he’s played—politician, reformer, diplomat, and global humanitarian. We’ll also explore the political context that shaped Carter’s years in the White House, as well as the conflict between Carter’s values and the compromises required of anyone in high office.

Dive deep into the corridors of history with "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," where Rachel Maddow and a team of speakers broaden the narrative of the civil rights movement, particularly the indomitable spirit of the Freedom Riders. In the episode "Taken for a Ride," Herbert Kaplow of NBC News recounts the chilling violence faced by media attempting to document these activists, who daringly confronted the bigotry rooted in the South's bus terminals. Listeners will catch a glimpse of what it truly meant to challenge not only segregation laws but also the social norms that bolstered racial hierarchy, as examined by Isaac-Davy Aronson and Kellie Carter Jackson.

Amidst the retelling of historical activism, Maddow seamlessly connects the deceptions of the past to present-day political strategies, drawing stark comparisons to the controversial moves by Governor Ron DeSantis. The episode sheds light on the enduring manipulation within politics, while also honoring the altruistic responses from communities faced with the consequences of these schemes. As the conversation travels from the civil rights era to our current times, with insights from Gabrielle Emanuel and Sherrilyn Ifill, "Taken for a Ride" serves as a sobering reminder of the media's power and the continuous evolution of societal norms and political decency.

Jimmy Carter isn’t remembered as a great president, but he’s come to be revered for his work as a humanitarian. However, in His Very Best, biographer Jonathan Alter presents a fresh perspective on the groundbreaking work Carter did in Washington. Instead of focusing on the hardships America suffered during Carter’s time in office, Alter draws attention to the long-term effects of what Carter accomplished while president. Alter paints Carter as deeply principled yet politically short-sighted in a way that let him achieve great things while undermining his legacy.

In this guide, we’ll show how Carter’s early life shaped his political career and his journey to the presidency. We’ll look at the various roles he’s played—politician, reformer, diplomat, and global humanitarian. We’ll also explore the political context that shaped Carter’s years in the White House, as well as the conflict between Carter’s values and the compromises required of anyone in high office.

If you could spend several weeks in the body of someone of a different race, would you? In 1959, one man tried to do this. White journalist John Howard Griffin darkened his skin to appear like a Black man, then traveled for six weeks throughout the segregated Southern US. Griffin predicted that he’d experience racial discrimination, and he hoped this outcome would convince white Americans that the US was not the racism-free country they thought it was. In Black Like Me, Griffin’s account of his journey, he argues that his hypothesis was correct: Black Southerners faced brutal racism.

In this guide, we’ll describe Griffin’s experiences passing as a Black man and share his conclusions about Southern race relations. Throughout this guide, we’ll contextualize Griffin’s experiences and ideas by exploring the history of racism according to experts such as Ibram X. Kendi and Michelle Alexander. Furthermore, we’ll outline critics’ opinions of this controversial book. Finally, we’ll examine the relevance of Griffin’s ideas to life today.

Dive into the all-American tradition of diners with Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark in an engaging episode of "Stuff You Should Know." Opening with a poignant moment, Chuck shares the emotional challenge of losing his beloved pet dog, welcoming listeners into a personal space and thanking them for their support. Moving from heartfelt to the quintessential, Chuck and Josh reminisce about their own divergent diner escapades, providing a perfect jump-off point into the storied past and cultural impact of these iconic establishments.

Join the hosts as they trace the evolution of diners from horse-drawn carriages to permanent fixtures of American life, featuring stories of innovators who turned a simple concept into a national phenomenon. Discover the integral role diners have played in politics, social unity, and even in shaping the culinary landscape with Greek-owned diners adding their own flavors to the classic American menu. Listen in as Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark bring to life the story of the diner, its resilient architecture, and its monumental role in films, art, and the very fabric of American society. Engage with the hosts and their dedicated fanbase, and get ready to look at the humble diner through a fresh lens of reverence and nostalgia.

Dive deep into the ancient arts of preservation with Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark in the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast, where they intricately explore the mysteries of mummification. From natural decay to the ancient Egyptian embalming process, this episode stands as a testimony to humanity's quest to conquer death and celebrate life. Witness how the Egyptians meticulously prepared bodies for the afterlife, what beliefs spurred the Chinchorro and the Incas into their own preservation practices, and how environment played a critical role in keeping history alive.

The conversation doesn't end in the past; Chuck and Josh vividly bring the subject to the present, discussing how modern techniques such as plastination are revolutionizing body preservation for educational purposes. With their engaging narrative, they invite listeners to become part of the story, encouraging interaction through museum visits, supplementary podcast content, and listener contributions. Join the hosts of "Stuff You Should Know" as they unravel the fabric of time with enthralling stories of mummies, from the tombs of the ancients to the scientific advances of today.

In the latest installment of "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," legal experts Andrew Weissman and Mary McCord wade deep into the legal quandaries surrounding former President Donald Trump. Addressing a controversial Colorado ruling that maintains Trump's eligibility for electoral ballots and exploring intricate legal discussions, this episode stands out as a dissecting tool for understanding how recent decisions—such as those made by Judge Cannon—offer a predictive window into the American judiciary landscape.

Listeners can expect meticulous examinations of the "clear and present danger" standard in relation to Trump's speeches, the potential constitutional challenges involving the 14th Amendment, and the complex maneuvers of Trump's legal team. The hosts' analysis, infused with rigorous scrutiny of judicial conduct and legal strategy, prompts reflection on significant constitutional debates and questions surrounding presidential eligibility post-insurrection. This episode is not just a narrative on legal proceedings—it's a call for engagement with the vital judicial processes shaping the political future of the United States.