Episode 192: Anti-Latino Nativism, Ronald Reagan, and Sound Baths

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of anti-Latino nativism, newly discovered racist comments by Ronald Reagan, and the growing popularity of sound baths.

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

• The mass shooter in El Paso deliberately targeted Latinos who he believed were “invading” Texas. Niki referred to Peter Brimelow’s 1996 book, Alien Nation: Common Sense About America’s Immigration Disaster. Natalia cited Samuel Huntington’s Foreign Policy essay, “The Hispanic Challenge,” and historian Ruben Donato’s book, The Other Struggle for Equal Schools: Mexican Americans in the Civil Rights Era.
• Newly declassified tapes reveal Ronald Reagan making racist comments about African statesmen. Natalia referred to Adam Serwer’s Atlantic essay, “The Most Dangerous American Idea.”
• Sound baths are all the rage in wellness circles. Natalia recommended Anne Helen Petersen’s writing on millennial burnout and referred to Jamie Lauren Keiles’ New York Times magazine article, “How A.S.M.R. Became a Sensation.”

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

• Natalia shared this New York Times video feature, “If You Didn’t Sharent, Did You Even Parent?”
• Neil discussed Laura Turner’s Vox article, “Couples All Over Instagram Are ‘Doing Life Together.’ Here’s Where It Came From.”
• Niki recommended Ruth Graham’s Slate article, “The ‘30-50 Feral Hogs’ Guy Actually Had a Point.”