Letters from an American cover art

Letters from an American

Letters from an American

By: Heather Cox Richardson
Listen for free

Summary

Heather Cox Richardson's narrated newsletter about the history behind today's politics.

heathercoxrichardson.substack.comHeather Cox Richardson
Political Science Politics & Government World
Episodes
  • Awakening a Sleeping Giant
    May 17 2026

    May 16, 2026

    May 17th is the anniversary of the Brown v Board of Education decision declaring racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional, Three years later, President Eisenhower proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson wrestled the Act through Congress, But efforts to expand voter registration for Black Americans were stymied, even after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, On March 7. 1965 after the shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson, marchers set out from Selma AL to the state capital at Montgomery to draw attention to the struggle, they were stopped by the government. The march was started again, and this time 25,000 people completed their trip, The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed on August 6, 1965, Yet the basic rights protected by the Act were gutted on April 29, 2026 by the Supreme Court, Thousands, including 18 members of Congress, traveled to Selma and Montgomery today, to call for action to protect voting rights, Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told an audience that those trying to gerrymander their way into controlling Congress have awakened a sleeping giant, as people come together knowing what it means to the country to protect the vote.

    Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-

    Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    You can also find me:

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson



    Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • Trump's China Trip
    May 16 2026

    Xi Jinping appears to have gotten what he wanted from the meeting with Trump, Trump’s actions make it appear China and the US are peers. Xi signals he sees US as a declining power, Trump appears to miss the context of their meeting, Trump misses the point that America’s strength was always about its alliances, Trump posts about the WH ballroom, Hegseth reverses plan to send troops to Poland, Chairs of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees are angry about changing plans and the administration’s failure to involve them, Corruption in Trump family finances continuew unabated.

    Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-

    Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    You can also find me:

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson



    Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • The Most Corrupt U.S. Administration in History
    May 16 2026

    Vance visits Maine and claims the Trump administration is combating endemic fraud in our public services. States that don't comply with federal rules will have funds cut. Admin will withhold $1.3 billion in Medicaid payments from California. Admin and Republicans blaming political opponents for their own fraud and corruption. Admin seems nervous after seeing Orban dumped. Trump’s administration labeled the most corrupt in history. Trump fired or demoted 20 inspectors-general, pocketed $4B from crypto, freed/pardoned cronies for money. Trump's sons and son-in-law are using their political connections to build private wealth. Trump uses his Birthday UFC White House fight to funnel more money to supporters. Trump visits China with delegation of billionaires. Trump's lawsuit with the IRS.

    Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

    You can also find me:

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson



    Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet