This week, as Trump promises to make America great again.. again, I want to find out more about the prison system. In some states, up to 10% of budgets are allocated to correctional facilities, and yet incarceration rates and the costs continue to rise, while issues around systemic racism and politics continue to plague its reputation and put question marks over its effectiveness. So in this episode, I want to know… why does America have so many prisons?

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Special guest for this episode:

• Nicholas Grant, a historian of the twentieth century United States at the University of East Anglia, researching race, internationalism and transnational activism.
• Heather Ann Thompson, a historian at the University of Michigan, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy. She was also the historical consultant for the Oscar-nominated documentary ATTICA.

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Highlights from this episode:

• The American prison system has a staggering rate of incarceration, with more people locked up per capita than any other country, indicating a severe failure in addressing social issues.
• Historically, prisons in the United States have disproportionately housed poor individuals and people of color, revealing deep-seated racial disparities in the justice system.
• Despite some reforms, the prison system in America has not shifted towards rehabilitation; rather, it continues to operate as a mechanism for social control and economic profit.
• The narrative surrounding crime and punishment in the U.S. has often been driven by racial politics, with a history of policies targeting marginalized communities under the guise of public safety.
• The prison population remains predominantly non-white, reflecting systemic inequalities, as African Americans and Latinos make up a significant portion of incarcerated individuals.
• Public perception and political rhetoric often frame incarceration as a solution to crime, but the reality is that it perpetuates cycles of poverty and violence in communities.

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Additional Resources:

Dr. Heather Ann Thompson - Pulitzer Prize Winner | Author | Speaker | Consultant

Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy by Heather Ann Thompson

U.S. prisons - number of prisoners 2022 | Statista

Incarceration Rates by Country 2024

Global Prison Trends Report

How Much Does A Prisoner Cost Per Year USA? - Prison Inside

In this bonus episode, Liam and special guest Melani McAlister dive into the complex perceptions Americans have about the Middle East, particularly in light of popular culture and media representation.

They discuss how ignorance about the region persists despite educational efforts, leading to a skewed view of Middle Eastern people as either potential terrorists or helpless victims in need of salvation. And they explore the pervasive narratives in American films and television, which often frame the U.S. as the heroic savior while portraying Muslims in a negative light, the troubling stereotypes that arise from these portrayals, particularly about Muslim women, and how these narratives fail to acknowledge the voices and agency of those within the region.

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Special guest for this episode:

• Melani McAlister, a Professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University, whose interests include the rhetoric of foreign policy. Her new book Promises, released in 2024, explores the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US role in it.

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Highlights from this episode:

• The American public's perception of the Middle East
• Popular culture's frequent portrayal of Muslims and Arabs as dangerous, reinforcing negative stereotypes.
• The harmful narrative of American exceptionalism
• Media representations of Americans as saviors of oppressed populations.
• The problematic concept of the 'good Muslim' character.
• The portrayal of Muslim women needing saving can diminish their agency and voices in society.

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Additional Resources:

Promises, Then the Storm: Notes on Memory, Protest, and the Israel–Gaza War by Melani McAlister

Melani McAlister – Writing, Teaching, & Other Stuff

U.S. Policy in the Middle East: A Brief History

Our American Israel: The Story of an Entangled Alliance by Amy Kaplan

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And if you like this episode, you might also love:

When Did the 50 States Become the 50 States

Is America an Empire?

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Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help:

• Individuals - support the show with a one-off or monthly donation: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
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This week, to celebrate Black History Month in the US, we are shining a light on one of the most influential figures in American history. Her relentless efforts for social justice and equality made her a powerful voice of the civil rights movement, and her work and legacy still endures today, alongside figures such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. So today we remember the life, the work, and the legacy of this great individual as I ask… who is Rosa Parks.

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Special guest for this episode:

• Dr. Nicholas Grant, a historian of twentieth century United States and author of 'Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960.' His research focuses on race, internationalism and transnational activism.
• Dr. Jeanne Theoharis, a Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College of City University of New York. She is the author of numerous books and articles on the civil rights and Black Power movements and the politics of race and education in the US, including The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks.

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Highlights from this episode:

• Rosa Parks' childhood experiences with racial violence shaped her beliefs about self-defense and activism.
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott was not just a single event but a culmination of ongoing resistance.
• Rosa Parks' activism extended beyond the bus boycott, influencing civil rights and black power movements.
• Many women, like Claudette Colvin, played crucial roles in the bus resistance before Parks' arrest.
• Parks' legacy is often simplified, overshadowing her lifelong commitment to social justice and equality.
• The importance of community organizing and collective action was vital for the boycott's success.

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Additional Resources:

READ: The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis

READ: King of the North: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life of Struggle Outside the South by Jeanne Theoharis

READ: Rosa Parks' Legacy Stained By Court Feud, Accusations Of Corruption

READ: Biography: Rosa Parks

READ: Who was Rosa Parks, and what did she do in the fight for racial equality?

WATCH: Watch Freedom Riders | American Experience | Official Site | PBS

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