The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., highlights the cultural diversity of American communities. Read to learn more about this colorful event that brings many cultures together in the nation’s capital.
Tag Archives: Culture & Society
How common threats can make common (political) ground
It’s popular to say that Americans are more politically polarized now than they have been in years. But we can band together to tackle the problems we all agree exist.
12 issues almost all Americans agree on
If it sometimes seems like Americans will never agree with each other, think again. Here’s a look at some surprising poll results.
How did the advent of television impact politics?
In today’s media-saturated political climate, it’s hard to imagine a world in which in news about government policies, court cases, and elected officials was relegated to print news sources. Read this article to learn about some of the ways in which television has impacted American politics.
Following Garbage’s Long Journey Around The Earth
What happens to the stuff you no longer need? In this interview, author Edward Humes describes the huge amount of trash created in the United States and explains where it goes when we throw it away.
Dirty Little Secret
Did you know that many American slaves fought for England during the Revolutionary War? They were promised their freedom if they did, and many took the offer. Read this article to learn more about slaves’ participation in the Revolutionary War.
Selma to Montgomery March
Watch a video on, and read about, the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches.
Kayla Montgomery: Young runner’s brave battle with MS
Champion runner Kayla Montgomery refuses to let Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis halt her running career. Read about her here.
Bitter Sweets
Bill Cheng writes about what it is like to be an A.B.C.: an American-Born Chinese. Read about his struggles to belong and feelings of being an outsider.
Cesar Chavez
Labor organizer Cesar Chavez was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for working to improve working and living conditions for migrant farm workers. Learn how he found the courage to speak out, organize a farm workers’ union, and lead nonviolent marches and boycotts of California table grape growers.
Navajos share stories about their past, the world
In Phoenix, Arizona, a new program allows people to learn about Navajo traditions and stories. Children and their families hear traditional Navajo stories that help them learn more about their roots.
COVID-19’s essential workers deserve hazard pay
What’s the definition of an essential worker? How much should essential workers be paid? Read about some of the options and opinions around “hero pay.”
What is the future for travel and migration in age of COVID-19?
Whether it’s an epic journey or a nice vacation, travel restrictions may change the way we move around the globe for a long time to come.
Freedom and privacy in the time of coronavirus
A global epidemic doesn’t only provide medical challenges; it also forces countries to re-evaluate the freedoms and limitations of their people.
13 Everyday Habits That Could (and Should) Change Forever After Coronavirus
Read predictions about ways the coronavirus might permanently alter our culture.
Virtual Dance Parties Are Popular. What’s Behind Their Rise?
During the coronavirus outbreak, people can’t get together to dance in person. But they can still maintain a connection online to avoid feeling isolated.
Land O’ Lakes replaces Native American woman logo, touts farmer-owned credentials instead
For nearly a century, a butter company’s logo featured a drawing of a Native American woman. Find out why that logo has finally changed.
How the Virus Transformed the Way Americans Spend Their Money
See eye-opening graphs of the many ways consumer spending shifted in response to COVID-19.
“We got you:” How four teen surfers rescued drowning swimmers from a rip current
Four teen surfers rescue two swimmers fearing for their lives.
How one journalist risked her life to hold murderers accountable
Journalist Ida B. Wells was as civil rights activist during the late 1800’s. Her tireless struggle for justice helped spark the movement for equal rights.