Are We Prepared?
On Republican lawmakers “cracking, packing, and stacking” the vote, young people fleeing Russia, the lost years of Phillis Wheatley, and more
March 17, 2022
In this week’s issue of Public Seminar . . .
Voting Rights
“At the time of the 1950 Census, the city of Tuskegee had a population of 6,712, of whom 80 percent were non-white. But the 1960 Census recorded only 1,750 persons living within the city limits, of whom only 24 percent were non-white. Why?” Jo Freeman discusses the role of race in redistricting and the Civil Rights Movement’s successes in countering gerrymandering. (March 15, 2022)
Russia at War
In anticipation of Russia shutting its own borders, many citizens are scrambling to flee the country. “If you disagree with the government, you either leave or get repressed,” one activist explains to Anastasia Shteinert. “I understand that I will be more helpful abroad than in Russian prison.” (March 16, 2022)
“I’m feeling an incredible amount of shame for what’s happening. Russia is in turmoil and Ukraine has the whole world behind them. They’ll survive. They will soldier on, and they will be better for it, but for Russia, it’s the end.” Nina Krushcheva joins Peter J. Hoffman, Jessica Pisano, and Everita Silina in a discussion of different perspectives on the conflict in Ukraine. (March 16, 2022)
Do you have a story or scholarship to share?
Queer Space
Julie Enszer remembers OutWrite, the annual conference that lit a fire under queer literature. “Beyond the formal addresses, papers, and panel conversations were equally important informal, and serendipitous connections that created a national community of writers: the warm greetings between old friends, and the flash of introduction between new ones; chance meetings at hotel bars, and shared moments waiting for an elevator; and meandering conversations walking urban streets.” (March 15, 2022)
A Secret History
“In 1773, she was the first person of African descent to publish a book of poetry in English. At the time, this was remarkable because she was both an enslaved person and a teenager.” Cornelia H. Dayton talks with Claire Potter about the “lost” years of Phillis Wheatley, the poet today widely considered the foremother of African American literature. (March 16, 2022)
Enjoying this newsletter? Pass it on!
Right-Wing Faith
Peter Nohrnberg explores the powerful hold the narrative of a “rigged” election has over Republican minds. “The perpetuation of what historically minded observers, recalling German denialism about the true causes of defeat in World War I, have deemed the ‘big lie,’ now includes the belief that those who participated in the riot at the Capitol on January 6 were patriots defending democracy rather than insurrectionists overturning it.” (March 14, 2022)