Socio-cultural Trauma / Structural Oppression

For many years, the Library of Congress categorized many of its books under a controversial subject heading: “Illegal aliens.” But then, on March 22, 2016, the library made a momentous decision, announcing that it was canceling the subject heading “Illegal aliens” in favor of “Noncitizens” and “Unauthorized immigration.” However, the decision was overturned a few months later, when the House of Representatives ordered the library to continue using the term “illegal alien.” They said they...

America’s history of racial inequality continues to haunt us. The genocide of Native people, 250-year enslavement of black people, adoption of “racial integrity laws” that demonized ethnic immigrants and people of color, and enforcement of policies and practices designed to perpetuate white supremacy are all part of our difficult past. This country has witnessed great triumph, innovation, and progress, but we are burdened by a painful history that we have yet to adequately acknowledge. In...

Journalist Howard Bryant discusses the history of social protest among African-American athletes. His new book, The Heritage, traces the tradition back to Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali and others. [To listen to this podcast by TERRY GROSS, go to https://www.npr.org/2018/06/13/619515355/how-taking-a-stand-for-justice-can-threaten-the-careers-of-black-athletes ] For another story on this topic, see To Play, Protest Or Both? Book Traces 'The Heritage' Of Black Athlete Activists .