Episode 166: Blackface, Venezuela, and Conversation Hearts

Past Present

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of blackface, political upheaval in Venezuela, and the demise of Valentine’s Day conversation hearts.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• Two top Virginia Democrats have admitted to wearing blackface. Natalia pointed to a recent Gucci turtleneck that many have called sartorial blackface. Niki referred to Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times op-ed about the bar for unacceptable racism in the United States and historian Rhae Lynn Barnes’ Washington Post piece on the history of blackface among American politicians.
• Venezuela is in extreme turmoil. Niki cited this Washington Post piece on Trump’s dangerous tactics vis-à-vis Venezuela by historians Federico Finchelstein and Pablo Piccato. Natalia recommended this primer on the “petrostate” from the Council on Foreign Relations.
• The conversation hearts that have for so long been a Valentine’s Day staple will not be widely available this February 14. Natalia recommended this Smithsonian Magazine article on the history of chocolate as a more sensual Valentine’s Day gift.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the Netflix documentary, “Abducted in Plain Sight.”
• Neil shared the Atlantic article, “Sears Once Sold Heroin.”
• Niki commented on Victoria Saker Woeste’s Washington Post article, “Why Ford Needs to Grapple With Its Founder’s Anti-Semitism.”