Popaganda: Who Writes Our History?

This episode was originally broadcast on June 16, 2016.

History isn’t static—it’s the stories we tell ourselves about the past. And that story changes depending on who’s doing the telling. On this episode, we explore what it means to tell your own history in three different ways. Iranian-American comedian Negin Farsad talks with us being a super patriotic teen and her new book, How to Make White People Laugh. Then, writer Jessica Machado discusses the life and music of blueswoman Bessie Smith, who told her own story in song in the 1920s and 30s. Finally, we call up brilliant scholar Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz to dig into her work, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States. Listen in! 

FULL SHOW: 

INTERVIEW WITH NEGIN FARSAD: 

THE LEGACY OF BLUESWOMAN BESSIE SMITH: 

INTERVIEW WITH ROXANNE DUNBAR-ORTIZ:

SPONSOR

Does history really predict the future? Push your sleeves up and explore how actions of our past affect the current world. An online degree in History from Oregon State University equips you with the skills to take a critical look at the patterns and relationships from our history. Learn more at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/history

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Our show will be transcribed by Cheryl Green of StoryMinders. We’re proud to make Popaganda accessible to people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.