Why the Confederate Flag Flew During World War II
As white, southern troops raised the battle flag, they showed that they were fighting for change abroad—but the status quo at home.
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The Atlantic There’s a Generational Shift in the Debate Over Busing
Kamala Harris took part in a bold experiment as a child—and the experiences of her generation may transform the debate over desegregation.
AP / RWK Hairspray’s Revealing Portrayal of Racism in America
The 1988 John Waters film, newly adapted into an NBC live musical, presents a view of racial discrimination that’s by turns naïve and enlightening.
NBC Bernie Sanders and the Unsung Struggle for Civil Rights in the North
In the mid-1960s, Chicago became the most important test case for implementing civil-rights legislation to prohibit school segregation.
Library of Congress When Black Voters Exited Left
What African Americans lost by aligning with the Democratic Party
Bob Scott / AP The Lasting Legacy of the Busing Crisis
Desegregating schools by shuttling kids across town failed. That doesn’t mean the achievability or significance of the original goal must fail, too.
Associated Press When Jackie Robinson Confronted a Trump-Like Candidate
At its core, Barry Goldwater’s campaign threatened blacks’ ability to fully engage in a two-party system.
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