Episode 159: Classical Statues, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Oklahoma Land Rights

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the disputed whiteness of classical statues, the Emmy Award-winning show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Native American claims to land rights in Oklahoma.

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

• A small cadre of archaeologists and art historians are challenging the assumption that classical statuary were always white, the New Yorker reported. Niki recommended this article from the Nation on the connection between white supremacy and mythologies of a white past.
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is back with a second season. Niki referred to this Refinery29 article that contrasted lead character Midge Maisel with Joan Rivers. Natalia suggested Emily Nussbaum’s critique at the New Yorker and Hey Alma’s historical critique of the show.
• A murder trial in Oklahoma is raising questions about Native American land rights. Natalia recommended this Daily Beast article about how the white, libertarian land rights movement is cynically invoking the Native American example.

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

• Natalia discussed Shayla Love’s VICE article, “The Young and the Uncared For.”
• Neil commented on James Gorman’s New York Times article, “It Could Be the Age of the Chicken, Geologically.”
• Niki shared Ruth Graham’s Slate article, “How ‘Woke Ammon Bundy’ Became the World’s Most Surprising Resistance Figure.”