Episode 174: Reparations, Leggings, and Nipsey Hussle

Past Present

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the case for reparations, why leggings are so controversial, and the legacy of rapper Nipsey Hussle.

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

• Reparations for slavery have gained renewed currency among policymakers. Neil referred to Ta-Nehisi Coates’ 2014 essay, “The Case for Reparations.” Niki recommended Jamelle Bouie’s response to this essay in Slate.
• A University of Notre Dame mother’s plea against leggings has made national news. Natalia recommended historian Deirdre Clemente’s book Dress Casual and referred to this New York Times article recommending that women forsake leggings for sweatpants.
• Rapper Nipsey Hussle was murdered in Los Angeles last week. Natalia drew on the work of hip hop scholar Tricia Rose.

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

• Natalia recommended Alice Hines’ New York Times article, “ Kid. Wanna Teach Some Yoga?”
• Neil discussed the decision of the mayor of Ocala, Florida to proclaim a “Confederate Memorial Day.”
• Niki discussed the work of two historians who won prizes at the recent Organization of American Historians annual meeting: Martha Jones and Julia Bowes.