“Troublemaker”: A New Book by John Cho
Difficult times can sometimes lead to important progress. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in anti-Asian American racism and hate crimes. Asian Americans were wrongfully blamed by some for the disease’s introduction in the United States. John Cho–an Asian American actor best known for his roles in films such as Better Luck Tomorrow and […]
Earth Day 2022: Invest in Our Planet
April 22, 2022, is the forty-second worldwide observance of Earth Day. This year’s theme is Invest in Our Planet, which encourages business, government, and individuals to work together to combat climate change. Do you know how Earth Day started? Do you know how you can participate in this year’s observance? Here, btw takes a closer […]
Remembering Madeleine Albright
Dr. Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. Secretary of State, passed away from cancer on March 23, 2022, in Washington, D.C. She was 84 years old. Here, btw reflects on Albright’s incredible life and legacy. Albright’s Early Life and Early Career Madeleine Albright was born Marie Jana Korbelova in Czechoslovakia in May 1937. She was […]
Women’s History Month: The American Quarter Program
Have you ever noticed that most of the people who appear on American money are men? The American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program hopes to change that. Beginning this year and running through 2025, the United States Mint will be issuing five quarters per year that feature women on the “tails” side of the coin. The […]
Women’s History Month: Sidney Robertson Cowell
In honor of Women’s History Month, btw is highlighting the achievements and contributions of women who are less often acknowledged. This week btw takes a closer look at Sidney Robertson Cowell, an important ethnographer (someone who studies people and cultures) and folk music collector. She was instrumental in gathering and preserving folk music in California […]
Women’s History Month: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
On February 25, 2022, President Joe Biden announced that he was nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, who is retiring. If the nomination is approved by the Senate, Judge Brown Jackson will be the first African American woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. Who […]
Russia Invades Ukraine
Recent headlines and news feeds have been dominated by stories about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an independent democratic nation of 44 million people. What caused Russia to invade its neighbor? What is Russian president Vladimir Putin’s goal? How will the rest of the world respond? Here, btw takes a closer look at this volatile […]
Black History Month: Tulsa, Oklahoma and Black Wall Street
The Tulsa Race Massacre took place just over a hundred years ago. Hundreds of African Americans died, and an entire Oklahoma neighborhood was destroyed. Today, that same neighborhood faces another challenge to its success. Here, btw takes a closer look at the development–and redevelopment–of this historic neighborhood over time and the challenges it continues to […]
Black History Month: Remembering Sidney Poitier
Iconic actor Sidney Poitier passed away on January 6, 2022, at the age of 94. Poitier broke down barriers for actors of color by playing roles that, for the first time, didn’t demean or diminish people of color. Instead, Poitier played leading roles, portraying characters who were strong and brave and dignified. He was also […]
Black History Month: Harry T. Moore
When you think about leaders of the civil rights movement, the first names that come to mind may be Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, or John Lewis. But they didn’t fight that fight alone. This week, btw takes a look at another civil rights leader whose contributions are just as important. […]