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France Eases Access, a Little, to Its Secrets

Historians of France's colonial war in Algeria have long been frustrated by the government's classification policies on documents related to the conflict. It is unclear how much this change will create transparency.   

The Truth Will Come Out: As With Nixon, Time Will Darken Views Of Trump And His Supporters

by Elizabeth Holtzman

The former New York Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman, who pushed for articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon, argues that that president's partisan supporters looked foolish when even more facts came to light. Will the same happen to Trump's congressional allies? 

A University of Texas Report Will Find That ‘The Eyes of Texas’ Has “No Racist Intent”

A University of Texas Commission's report will likely serve as reinforcement for the administration's decision to keep the tradition of playing "The Eyes of Texas" after football games, pleasing many rich donors and angering student activists. 

Will Hong Kong’s Free Press Survive?

Security laws imposed by Beijing suggest that the Chinese government has lost patience for Hong Kong's traditionally active and frequently antagonistic press. 

Cornel West Is Leaving Harvard After Tenure Dispute

Dr. West’s dispute over tenure put a new focus on complaints that Black and Latino professors are underrepresented in the ranks of tenured professors, not just at Harvard. 

My Family’s Long-Gone Texas Land Shows How Black Wealth Is Won and Lost

by Jacqueline Simmons

A host of the Pay Check podcast introduces a new season that will examine her family's history of landholding in Texas as a lens on the historical roots of the black-white wealth gap. 

Army Continues to Honor Confederate Unit Histories, Even as Base Names Draw Scrutiny

The memorialization of the Confederacy in the US military extends much deeper than the naming of bases. 

For Democracy to Stay, the Filibuster Must Go

The New York Times editorial board has come out in favor of ending the Senate filibuster, calling it "a weapon for strangling functional government."

On the Anniversary of Selma We are Sadly Reminded: Voting Rights are Still Imperiled

by Elliott Smith

The legacy of sacrifice by voting rights activists like Amelia Boynton is being imperiled by a wave of state voter suppression laws. 

The Lynching That Black Chattanooga Never Forgot Takes Center Stage Downtown

"Even as the bridge became a central gathering place of the city, some Black Chattanoogans who know its history have refused to cross it."

SC Lawmakers Announce Legislation to Protect Monuments Statewide

"Democratic Representative Seth Rose says the controversial monuments like Ben Tillman, who was the former governor and known racist, need to come down."

Your Loved Ones, and Eerie Tom Cruise Videos, Reanimate Unease With Deepfakes

Emerging technology has captivated many with facial animations based on old photos, but it raises serious questions about the integrity of source materials and the news media, and about the way the technology could further destabilize trust in the news. 

Of Nazis, Crimes and Punishment

Understanding the neurological changes brought on by adolescence and aging make it complicated to determine what justice is in the case of a Nazi camp guard deported from the United States to Germany in February. 

St. Louis' Sumner High Facing Possible Closure; Tina Turner, Others Attended

Despite its importance to the history of education and its famous alumni (including Dick Gregory, Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, and several of the Tuskegee Airmen), the school may fall victim to declining enrollment and cost considerations. Alums are working to keep the building in use for other purposes.

Texas School’s Lesson on Chivalry Asked Girls to ‘Walk Daintily’ and Obey Men

Students interviewed were divided between recognizing the pedagogical goal of showing how chivalry could excuse the subordination of women, others (and some parents) disagreed with the method. 

We Need to Put a Name to This Violence

Attacks on Asian Americans in many cities have raised comparisons to Black-Korean tensions in Los Angeles at the time of the 1992 riots, but writer Jay Caspian Kang argues the comparison isn't apt, and more work needs to be done to determine whether a wave of hate crimes is happening, and if so, why. 

It's not Tex-Mex: New Documentary Digs Deep into Texas Mexican Food, History

Adán Medrano's new streaming documentary focuses on the influence of indigenous culture and the labor of women and immigrants in the food culture of Texas. 

Why Aren’t Conservative Women Recognized During Women’s History Month?

The head of the conservative think tank argues that Women's History Month is not ideologically inclusive. 

He Honors Black New Yorkers. Not All Black Activists Are Thrilled

Historian David Levering Lewis praises the dedication of Jacob Morris to advancing the cause of honoring Black New Yorkers with honorary street names. But his dogged presence at public meetings doesn't always sit well with other activist in the city. 

Senator Tammy Duckworth Wants FDR Memorial to Be Accessible for People with All Disabilities

While disability activists won a battle to have FDR portrayed in a wheelchair in his memorial, there have been ongoing problems with the site's design and layout including braille markers that are decorative rather than legible.