HST 202 Module #15

The Present Tense (2013 CE - Present Day)
The years between 2013 and the present day have been a significant period in US history, marked by a range of events that have impacted the country and the world in numerous ways. From the presidency of Barack Obama to the election of Donald Trump, the Black Lives Matter movement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise of far-right extremism, this period has been marked by political, social, and economic changes that have shaped the country's present and future. This essay will examine these events in more detail, discussing their positives and negatives and why they are crucial to study today.

One of the defining events of this period was the presidency of Barack Obama, who was elected in 2008 and served two terms until 2016. Obama's presidency was marked by several significant achievements, including the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the signing of the Paris climate agreement. However, his presidency was also marked by significant challenges, such as the rise of the Islamic State group, mass shootings, and the divisive political climate that characterized his time in office.

Another significant event of this period was the election of Donald Trump in 2016. Trump's presidency was marked by a range of controversies, including his divisive rhetoric, his policies on immigration and trade, and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Trump's presidency was also marked by several significant achievements, such as his efforts to reform the criminal justice system, his tax reform bill, and his efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.

The Black Lives Matter movement also emerged during this period, following the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the subsequent acquittal of his killer. The movement gained significant momentum in 2014, following the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and has since become a global movement advocating for racial justice and police reform. While the movement has achieved significant successes, such as the passing of police reform legislation in several states, it has also faced significant backlash and opposition from those who oppose its message.

The COVID-19 pandemic also emerged during this period, causing significant disruptions to daily life and leading to the deaths of millions of people worldwide. The pandemic highlighted the need for better healthcare infrastructure, improved public health measures, and greater global cooperation to combat public health crises.

Finally, the rise of far-right extremism has also emerged during this period, marked by the rise of white nationalism, neo-Nazism, and other extremist groups. These groups have been responsible for numerous acts of violence and terrorism, and their rise has highlighted the need for greater efforts to combat hate speech and extremist ideology.

In conclusion, the years between 2013 and the present day have been a significant period in US history, marked by political, social, and economic changes that have shaped the country's present and future. While this period has been marked by significant challenges and controversies, it has also seen significant achievements and progress in areas such as healthcare, social justice, and international relations. It is crucial to study this period today to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the US and the world and to learn from the successes and failures of the past.

THE RUNDOWN
  • The years between 2013 and present day have been significant in US history
  • Barack Obama's presidency was marked by achievements such as the Affordable Care Act and challenges like the rise of ISIS
  • Donald Trump's presidency was controversial, but achieved reform in areas such as criminal justice and tax policy
  • The Black Lives Matter movement emerged during this period, advocating for racial justice and police reform
  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions and highlighted the need for better healthcare infrastructure and global cooperation
  • The rise of far-right extremism highlighted the need to combat hate speech and extremist ideology
  • This period has seen significant progress in areas like healthcare and social justice, but also faced challenges
  • Studying this period is crucial to understanding the challenges and opportunities facing the US and the world.

QUESTIONS
  • How did the election of Donald Trump impact the political and social climate of the US, and what were some of his significant achievements and controversies?
  • How has the Black Lives Matter movement impacted the conversation around racial justice and police reform in the US, and what successes and challenges has it faced?
  • In what ways did the COVID-19 pandemic expose weaknesses in the healthcare and public health infrastructure of the US, and what lessons can be learned from the pandemic?​

Work Cited:
"Achievements of the Obama Administration." The White House. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/achievements.
"Donald Trump's Presidency: 17 key accomplishments." Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/donald-trumps-presidency-17-key-accomplishments.
"Black Lives Matter." Black Lives Matter. https://blacklivesmatter.com/.
"COVID-19 Pandemic: Global overview and timeline." World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2020-DON79-en.html.
​​#15: Don't Lose Your Humanity

It's important not to forget our human side. Stories and personal experiences can teach us much about society, culture, and money, even if they're not based on science. Experts are now studying these stories to see how much we can learn from them. For instance, a quote is often wrongly attributed to Joseph Stalin: "The death of one man is a tragedy; the death of millions is a statistic."

Here's an exercise to help us understand why anecdotes are valuable. Imagine one dead body, then two, then ten, then one hundred, and so on. As the number grows, it becomes harder to comprehend the scale of the problem. When we read that 100,000 civilians died in the US bombing of Tokyo in 1945, it's easy to feel disconnected. But we must remember that these events happened to real people. Anecdotes are crucial for understanding social, cultural, and economic phenomena. They can help us gain insight into historical events that official records may have missed. Anecdotal evidence is more than just storytelling; it's a vital tool for advancing our knowledge of the world.

If you want to know what happened in history, don't rely on those boring stats and official documents. The real meat of the matter lies in the stories of those who lived through it. Take the Holocaust, for instance. We all know about it, sure. But what about the survivors? Their accounts offer a window into the hell they endured. Wanna you talk about insight? Check out Elie Wiesel's "Night." This guy lived through a concentration camp, and his book lays bare the human toll of the Holocaust. Don't be fooled by the sanitized version of history. If you want the truth, you must listen to those there.

The story of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States is not merely a tale of government records and official documents but a saga of the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people. While official records may provide a glimpse into the era, the personal accounts of the activists and participants reveal the true impact of this movement.

One such account is James Baldwin's essay "Notes of a Native Son," which offers a raw and personal reflection on the experience of racial discrimination in America during the Civil Rights Movement. Baldwin's words provide a unique and profound perspective on the movement's impact on individuals and society that cannot be gleaned from official records alone.

Baldwin's writing brings to life the stories of those who fought for civil rights and challenges us to confront the ongoing struggle for racial justice today. Through his eyes, we see the actual human cost of segregation and discrimination and the transformative power of collective action. His words remind us that the fight for equality is far from over and that we must continue to carry the torch of the Civil Rights Movement forward into the future.

Anecdotal evidence - a double-edged sword in the annals of history. Sometimes those personal accounts are as crooked as a dog's hind leg, all twisted and subjective. Take, for instance, those Confederate soldier diaries. Sure, they offer a glimpse into the lives of those fighting men during the Civil War, but they could also be as biased as a fox in a henhouse. We mustn't take them at face value, oh no. It's crucial to keep the context of those accounts in mind and give them an excellent critical eye. Only then can we sift fact from fiction and uncover the truth.

Listen, in this day and age, we're all about that digital communication, scrolling through social media like there's no tomorrow. But let me tell you, we must remember the importance of personal experience when shaping history. Anecdotal evidence is critical, my friends. It reminds us that history is not just a list of dates and facts; it's about the people and their experiences. Digging into those personal accounts, we understand how historical events impacted individuals and society as a whole. Remember to underestimate the power of a good story, especially in history books.

So, here's the deal: the future of history is all about staying connected to our human side. I'm right; empirical evidence is essential and all that jazz. But if you truly want to grasp past events' impact on our world, you have to take a closer look at the human experience. I'm talking about anecdotes, man. Sure, they can be biased, but they also offer a unique insight into history from a human perspective. You know, the good, the bad, and the ugly. By digging into these personal accounts, we can uncover a deeper understanding of how historical events affected individuals and society. By embracing anecdotal evidence, we can unlock a new level of historical knowledge that's more relevant than ever. And that's what it's all about.​

THE RUNDOWN
  • When looking at history, we should remember to stay connected to our human feelings.
  • Anecdotal evidence is stories that help us learn about a situation affecting society or politics.
  • Intelligent people like economists use these stories to determine their importance.
  • One quote that people often repeat says that one person's death is a big deal, even if it's not a lot compared to many deaths.
  • If we want to understand what happened in history, we shouldn't just look at numbers but try to imagine how it felt for the people involved.
  • It's important to remember that things happen to real people, not just as numbers or statistics.

STATE OF THE UNION
HIGHLIGHTS
​​​We've got some fine classroom lectures coming your way, all courtesy of the RPTM podcast. These lectures will take you on a wild ride through history, exploring everything from ancient civilizations and epic battles to scientific breakthroughs and artistic revolutions. The podcast will guide you through each lecture with its no-nonsense, straight-talking style, using various sources to give you the lowdown on each topic. You won't find any fancy-pants jargon or convoluted theories here, just plain and straightforward explanations anyone can understand. So sit back and prepare to soak up some knowledge. 

LECTURES
  • COMING SOON
READING

Mark C. Carnes and John A. Garraty are respected historians who have made notable contributions to American history. Carnes specializes in American education and culture, focusing on the role of secret societies in shaping American culture in the 19th century. Garraty is known for his general surveys of American history, his biographies of American historical figures and studies of specific aspects of American history, and his clear and accessible writing.​
Howard Zinn was a historian, writer, and political activist known for his critical analysis of American history. He is particularly well-known for his counter-narrative to traditional American history accounts and highlights marginalized groups' experiences and perspectives. Zinn's work is often associated with social history and is known for his Marxist and socialist views. Larry Schweikart is also a historian, but his work and perspective are often considered more conservative. Schweikart's work is often associated with military history, and he is known for his support of free-market economics and limited government. Overall, Zinn and Schweikart have different perspectives on various historical issues and events and may interpret historical events and phenomena differently. Occasionally, we will also look at Thaddeus Russell, a historian, author, and academic. Russell has written extensively on the history of social and cultural change, and his work focuses on how marginalized and oppressed groups have challenged and transformed mainstream culture. Russell is known for his unconventional and controversial ideas, and his work has been praised for its originality and provocative nature. 

My classes utilize both Howard Zinn's Patriot's History of the United States and Larry Schweikart's Patriot's History of the United States, mostly in excerpts posted to the modules. You can access the full text of People's History or Patriot's History by clicking on the links. ​
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Zinn, A People's History of the United States
​"... In the United States, we see the educational system, a burgeoning new literature, alternative radio stations, a wealth of documentary films outside the mainstream, even Hollywood itself and sometimes television-compelled to recognize the growing multiracial character of the nation. Yes, we have in this country, dominated by corporate wealth and military power and two antiquated political parties, what a fearful conservative characterized as "a permanent adversarial culture" challenging the present, demanding a new future.

It is a race in which we can all choose to participate, or just to watch. But we should know that our choice will help determine the outcome.

I think of the words of the poet Shelley, recited by women garment workers in New York to one another at the start of the twentieth century.

Rise like lions after slumber In unvanquishable number! Shake your chains to earth, like dew Which in sleep had fallen on you- Ye are many; they are few!"
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Larry Schweikart, A Patriot's History of the United States
"... If the immediate horror of 9/11 has dissipated, the attack nevertheless served as a profound reminder that buildings, however symbolic they might be, are nothing more than concrete and steel. The precious human lives they contained testified, by their loss, that what remains are ideas. Intending to shatter the “materialism” of the United States, Osama bin Laden’s terrorists merely reminded the world of the supremacy of the intangible over the physical, of the spiritual over the temporal. Focusing Americans’ thoughts once again on freedom—and its enemies—terrorists united a nation seriously divided by an election and elevated a president under fire to a position of
historical greatness.

The fatal flaw of bin Laden—like Hitler, Stalin, and even the nearsighted Spaniards of five hundred years ago—was that they fixed their gaze on the physical manifestations of the wealth of the West, failing to understand that wealth is a mere by-product of other, more important qualities: initiative, inventiveness, hope, optimism, and above all, faith. The people who had set foot in Virginia and Massachusetts almost three centuries ago often arrived poor, usually alone, and certainly without lofty titles or royal honors. After they plowed the fields and founded their enterprises, it was not the farms alone that made Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia flourish, nor trade alone that breathed life into the Boston of John Adams. Mere plantations did not produce George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, nor did a legal system spawn Alexander Hamilton and Abraham Lincoln. American determination and drive, vision and commitment came not from acquisition of material things— though the freedom to acquire things was a prerequisite. Rather, greatness came from an all consuming sense that this was, after all, the 'city on a hill,' the 'last, best hope for mankind.' The United States was, and is, a fountain of hope, and a beacon of liberty..." 
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Thaddeus Russell, A Renegade History of the United States​
"... When American history was first written, it featured and often celebrated politicians, military leaders, inventors, explorers, and other 'great men.' Textbooks in high school and college credited those goliaths with creating all the distinctive cultural and institutional characteristics of the United States. In this history from the top down, women, Indians, African Americans, immigrants, and ordinary workers—in other words, most Americans—seldom appeared. In the 1960s and 1970s, a new generation of scholars began to place labor leaders, feminists, civil rights activists, and others who spoke on behalf of the people at the center of the story. This became known as history 'from the bottom up.' Yet more often than not, it seemed to me, the new stars of American history shared many of the cultural values and assumptions of the great men. They not only behaved like 'good' Americans but also worked to “correct” the people they claimed to represent. They were not ordinary..."
What Does Professor Lancaster Think?
The United States of America has always been a diverse nation. It is a melting pot of people from different cultures, races, and religions. However, for much of its history, the dominant narrative of American identity was centered around a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant (WASP) perspective. This perspective has changed over time, and the future of America lies in embracing a multicultural and multiracial identity, recognizing the contributions of ordinary people, and prioritizing intangible qualities such as initiative, inventiveness, hope, optimism, and faith over materialism.

One of the most significant events in American history that embodies this change in perspective is the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement was a social movement that aimed to end racial discrimination and segregation against African Americans. The movement was led by ordinary people, including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Fannie Lou Hamer. The movement's success was due to the collective efforts of thousands of people who worked tirelessly to challenge the status quo.

The Civil Rights Movement brought about significant changes in American society, including the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws helped to end legal segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the United States. However, the movement's impact went beyond legal changes, as it challenged the dominant narrative of American identity and paved the way for a more multicultural and multiracial identity.

Another event that highlights the importance of embracing a multicultural and multiracial identity is the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. This act abolished the discriminatory quota system that favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe and opened the doors for immigrants from other parts of the world. As a result, the United States became a more diverse nation, with immigrants from Asia, Latin America, and Africa coming to the country in large numbers.

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 has had both positive and negative consequences. On the positive side, it has enriched American society with diverse cultures, foods, and languages. It has also brought in talented individuals who have made significant contributions to the United States, including scientists, doctors, and entrepreneurs. However, it has also led to a backlash against immigrants, with some Americans feeling that their way of life is under threat.

It is crucial to study this subject today because the United States is still grappling with issues of diversity, inclusion, and equality. The events of January 6, 2021, where a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election, highlighted the deep divisions in American society. These divisions are rooted in issues of race, identity, and the role of government in society.

To move forward, the United States needs to embrace a multicultural and multiracial identity, recognize the contributions of ordinary people, and prioritize intangible qualities such as initiative, inventiveness, hope, optimism, and faith over materialism. This requires a collective effort to challenge and transform the present, creating a new and better future.

In conclusion, the future of America lies in embracing a multicultural and multiracial identity, recognizing the contributions of ordinary people, and prioritizing intangible qualities such as initiative, inventiveness, hope, optimism, and faith over materialism. The Civil Rights Movement and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 are examples of events in American history that highlight the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion. It is crucial to study this subject today because the United States is still grappling with issues of diversity, inclusion, and equality. By learning from the past and embracing a more inclusive future, the United States can move forward as a stronger and more united nation.

Work Cited

Blight, David W. Frederick Douglass: Prophet
​
THE RUNDOWN
  • America has always been a diverse nation, but the dominant narrative was centered around a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant (WASP) perspective.
  • The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s challenged the dominant narrative of American identity and aimed to end racial discrimination and segregation against African Americans.
  • The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the discriminatory quota system that favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe and opened the doors for immigrants from other parts of the world.
  • The United States still grapples with issues of diversity, inclusion, and equality, as seen in the events of January 6, 2021.
  • To move forward, the United States needs to embrace a multicultural and multiracial identity, recognize the contributions of ordinary people, and prioritize intangible qualities such as initiative, inventiveness, hope, optimism, and faith over materialism.
  • By learning from the past and embracing a more inclusive future, the United States can move forward as a stronger and more united nation.​

QUESTIONS​​
  • How did the dominant narrative of American identity change over time, and what impact did it have on the country's history?
  • ​What lessons can be learned from the past to help create a more inclusive and diverse future for America, and what challenges will need to be overcome to achieve this goal?
  • How can the United States move forward as a stronger and more united nation by embracing diversity and inclusion, and what can individuals do to contribute to this effort?
​​WATCH
THE RUNDOWN
The video features an interview with Alfred Urban, owner of The Schnitzel Haus, a German restaurant in Brooklyn. Alfred discusses his upbringing in Brooklyn, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his business, and his optimism for the future. The video also includes clips of the restaurant and conversations about the live music scene in Bay Ridge, as well as discussions about the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses and frustrating inspections by the Department of Buildings.
KEY TERMS
  • 2013: The U.S. military removes a ban against women
  • 2013 Edward Snowden
  • 2013 The Black Lives Matter Movement
  • 2014 Flint Water Crisis
  • 2014 Ferguson
  • 2015 Gay marriage
  • 2016 Election of Donald Trump
  • 2016 The Orlando shooting
  • 2016 DAPA
  • 2017 Bedroom Pop
  • 2019 Afghanistan Papers
  • 2020 Fashion
  • 2020 DACA
  • 2020 Covid-19
  • 2021 Capital Insurrection 
  • 2021 Juneteenth
  • The Future​
​DISCLAIMER: Welcome scholars to the wild and wacky world of history class. This isn't your granddaddy's boring ol' lecture, baby. We will take a trip through time, which will be one wild ride. I know some of you are in a brick-and-mortar setting, while others are in the vast digital wasteland. But fear not; we're all in this together. Online students might miss out on some in-person interaction, but you can still join in on the fun. This little shindig aims to get you all engaged with the course material and understand how past societies have shaped the world we know today. We'll talk about revolutions, wars, and other crazy stuff. So get ready, kids, because it's going to be one heck of a trip. And for all, you online students out there, don't be shy. Please share your thoughts and ideas with the rest of us. The Professor will do his best to give everyone an equal opportunity to learn, so don't hold back. So, let's do this thing!

Activity: "Decoding Headlines"
Objective: To enhance students' understanding of major events and developments in U.S. history from 2013 to 2023 by analyzing headlines from major news sources.

Instructions:
  • Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
  • Instruct each group to brainstorm and list major events and developments in U.S. history from 2013 to 2023.
  • Next, ask each group to search for news headlines from major news sources (such as CNN, Fox News, NPR, The New York Times, and The Washington Post) that relate to the events and developments they listed.
  • Each group should select at least five headlines and write them down on a sheet of paper.
  • ​After selecting the headlines, ask each group to analyze the headlines and answer the following questions:
  1. What event or development does the headline refer to?
  2. What is the main idea or message conveyed in the headline?
  3. What tone or perspective does the headline reflect (positive, negative, neutral, sensationalized, etc.)?
  4. What additional information would you need to fully understand the event or development?
  • Give each group 10-15 minutes to analyze the headlines and answer the questions.
  • After the allotted time, ask each group to present their selected headlines and their analysis to the class.
  • Encourage class discussion by asking follow-up questions such as:
  1. How do the headlines from different news sources differ in their perspective or tone?
  2. How do the headlines reflect larger social, political, or economic trends in U.S. history from 2013 to 2023?
  3. What impact did these events and developments have on U.S. society and politics?

Activity: "Decade in Review"
Objective: To reflect on the major events, trends, and changes that took place in the United States during the decade from 2013 to 2023.

Instructions:
  • Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students each.
  • Instruct each group to spend the next 10 minutes discussing the most significant events, trends, and changes that have occurred in the United States since 2013. Encourage them to consider a wide range of issues, including politics, economics, culture, and technology.
  • After 10 minutes, ask each group to nominate a spokesperson who will share their group's findings with the rest of the class.
  • Give each spokesperson 5 minutes to present their group's ideas. Encourage them to be creative and engaging in their presentation style.
  • As a class, discuss the similarities and differences between the groups' findings. Ask questions to clarify and deepen the understanding of the topics discussed.
  • Conclude the activity with a discussion on what the major themes of the decade were and what trends or changes may continue to shape the country in the years to come.

​SUMMARY
  • Significant years in US history between 2013 and present day
  • Achievements and challenges during Barack Obama's presidency, including the Affordable Care Act and rise of ISIS
  • Controversial but reformative achievements during Donald Trump's presidency in areas such as criminal justice and tax policy
  • Emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement advocating for racial justice and police reform
  • Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the need for better healthcare infrastructure and global cooperation
  • Rise of far-right extremism emphasizing the need to combat hate speech and extremist ideology
  • Progress made in healthcare and social justice, but also faced challenges during this period
  • Importance of studying this period to understand challenges and opportunities facing the US and the world
  • Significance of anecdotes in advancing knowledge of a phenomenon and imagining the human cost of events
  • Need to embrace a multicultural and multiracial identity, recognize the contributions of ordinary people, and prioritize intangible qualities over materialism to move forward as a stronger and more united nation.

ASSIGNMENTS
  • Forum Discussion #16​
  • Quiz #5
​Remember all assignments, tests and quizzes must be submitted official via BLACKBOARD

Forum Discussion #16
​We sure had fun this semester, and grew as people. In one paragraph, describe one thing you enjoyed learning about. If this class was a fate worse than death, describe something you would like to learn about NEXT time?

Need help? Remember the Discussion Board Rubric.

WORK CITED
Hey, welcome to the work cited section! Here's where you'll find all the heavy hitters that inspired the content you've just consumed. Some might think citations are as dull as unbuttered toast, but nothing gets my intellectual juices flowing like a good reference list. Don't get me wrong, just because we've cited a source; doesn't mean we're always going to see eye-to-eye. But that's the beauty of it - it's up to you to chew on the material and come to conclusions. Listen, we've gone to great lengths to ensure these citations are accurate, but let's face it, we're all human. So, give us a holler if you notice any mistakes or suggest more sources. We're always looking to up our game. Ultimately, it's all about pursuing knowledge and truth, my friends. ​​​​


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