History

Red Flag Laws in the Age of Political Psychiatry 0
- History
- August 15, 2019
In the wake of recent horrific shooting sprees, Donald Trump and other Republicans wishing to appear to “do something” have seized the purported “middle ground”: red flag laws. These laws would permit law enforcement or concerned family members to petition a court to remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous after a summary judicial procedure. Laws such as these enjoy
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Is There a ‘Catholic Case for Communism’?0
- History
- July 30, 2019
My personal experience with Jesuits has been overwhelmingly positive. I was reminded of that this past Sunday, as I attended Mass at my high school alma mater. I enjoyed my four years as a student there, and the friendships I made and the lessons I learned have continued to bless me, year in, year out.
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When Government Fails, Communities Take Care of Themselves 0
- History
- July 19, 2019
People often assume that government welfare programs provide the resources and safety net that local communities cannot. But in the early- and mid-20th century, systemic racism often meant that African American communities were excluded from government welfare programs. In the face of this injustice, we see numerous examples of communities stepping up to take care
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Did We Mishear Neil Armstrong’s Famous First Words on the Moon?0
- History
- July 18, 2019
On July 20, 1969, an estimated 650 million people watched in suspense as Neil Armstrong descended a ladder towards the surface of the Moon. As he took his first steps, he uttered words that would be written into history books for generations to come: “That’s one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.”
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Traveling Backwards: Reparations and the Complications of History 2
- History
- July 5, 2019
Before the Civil War, several of my ancestors in Western Pennsylvania were staunch abolitionists. They participated in the Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves from the South make the journey to freedom. During the War itself, several of these same ancestors, fought in that conflict. At least two of them died, along with several hundred thousand
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The Native Americans Who Owned Slaves 2
- History
- July 5, 2019
Did you know that the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery did not apply to ALL slaves? Most see slavery as a simple black-vs.-white issue. But those who do may not realize that the “Five Civilized Tribes” of the southeast — Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole — also participated in the institution of slavery. Because these tribes were
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