Episode 202: Elijah Cummings, Homelessness, and Amusement Parks

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, the rising trend of homelessness, and a new documentary about a dangerous New Jersey amusement park.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

• U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings has died. Niki referenced this Atlantic article about Cummings’ reluctant partisanship.
• Homelessness is on the rise, especially visible in Los Angeles. Natalia referred to this Washington Post article about the rise of “business improvement districts” and to the scholarship and teaching of historian Albert M. Camarillo.
• A new documentary highlights the cultural importance of the New Jersey amusement park, “Action Park.” Listener and historian Claire Potter suggested this segment based on this New York Times article. Natalia referred to this New York Times review, by historian Jackson Lears, of historian David Nasaw’s book on amusement in the United States.

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

• Natalia discussed historian Michael Zakim’s new book, Accounting for Capitalism: The World the Clerk Made.
• Neil shared David Yaffe-Bellany’s New York Times article, “Want Fries With That? McDonald’s Already Knows the Answer.”
• Niki recommended Dan Nosowitz’s Vox article, “Pumpkin Spice Has Taken Over Trader Joe’s. Here’s Why” and referred to our own Episode 103 about pumpkin spice.