Episode 155: The 2018 Recounts, Jim Acosta, and Bedtime Stories

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the aftermath of the midterm elections with special guest, Slate senior political correspondent Jamelle Bouie, the revocation of CNN journalist Jim Acosta’s “hard pass” to the White House, and the supposed radicalization of children’s literature.

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

• Demands for recounts and accusations of voter suppression and fraud defined the immediate aftermath of the midterm elections earlier this month. We sat down with Slate senior political correspondent Jamelle Bouie to discuss his analysis of the aftermath and how it fits into histories of disenfranchisement in the United States.
• After a heated exchange between President Trump and CNN reporter Jim Acosta, the White House downgraded his White House access. Niki recommended historian Martha Jones’ Washington Post article on how women journalists of color have routinely been denied full access to the events they cover.
• Children’s books promoting progressive politics have been selling well, prompting the Atlantic to announce a “radicalization” of children’s literature. Natalia recommended this Slate piece that discussed a disproportionate emphasis on rebellious girls and pointed out a controversy over the children’s book P is for Palestine that indicated the limits of this “radicalization.” Neil recommended historian Julia Mickenberg’s book Learning from the Left: Children’s Literature, The Cold War, and Radical Politics in the United States.

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

• Natalia discussed her Washington Post article, “Why A Right-Wing Extremist Targeted a Yoga Studio.”
• Neil recommended the YouTube clip, “Comparing Every Version of A Star is Born.”
• Niki shared Tim Alberta’s Politico article, “How the GOP Gave Up on Porn.”