by Bernd Debusmann | 14 Oct 2020 | Americas, Decoders, Donald Trump, Educators' Catalog, Future of Democracy, Government, Joe Biden, Politics, World
A candidate can win the U.S. presidency without winning the most votes. Americans don’t like the Electoral College, but it seems here to stay. Senate pages carry presidential electoral ballots to a joint session of Congress, Washington, DC, 6 January 2017....
To understand our world of today, students need to know where we came from. But history in a vacuum can be a turnoff if it’s not connected to current events. Bernd Debusmann’s decoder offers a historical look at the curious institution of the U.S. Electoral College, while connecting the dots to today’s political events in that country. The article links to documents that open the door to further study and poses three questions at the end that are fodder for classroom discussion.
by Alexander Nicoll | 12 Oct 2020 | Americas, Donald Trump, Europe, Government, Immigration, Nationalism, Politics, World
Donald Trump and Boris Johnson won power as populists, backed by angry voters. Now COVID-19 is exposing their shortcomings in the U.S. and UK. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) and U.S. President Donald J. Trump (L) in London, 4 December 2019 (EPA-EFE/PETER...
by Charles Gorrivan | 20 Feb 2020 | Americas, Contest winners, Friends Seminary, Future of Democracy, Human Rights, Student Posts, Youth Voices
Protesters upset over economic inequalities have thrown free-market darling Chile into disarray, prompting a crackdown decried by rights advocates. Demonstrators protest against the Chilean government, Santiago, Chile, 10 January 2020. (EPA-EFE/ELVIS GONZALEZ) This...
by Bryson Hull | 19 Feb 2020 | Africa, Americas, Donald Trump, Media Literacy
Donald Trump has disparaged African countries in no uncertain terms. Why, then, does he keep meeting Kenya’s leader in the White House? Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House, Washington, DC, 27...
by Thomas Day | 10 Feb 2020 | Americas, Climate change, Environment, Indiana University, Student Posts, Youth Voices
Global warming and its consequences can provoke anxiety in young people. Educators need to be trained on how best to teach about climate change. A student attends a climate strike protest in Canberra, Australia, 15 March 2019 (EPA-EFE/LUKAS COCH) “Are we going to...
by Martin Langfield | 30 Dec 2019 | Americas, Decoders
Protests across Latin America target common complaints, including poverty and corruption, and offer lessons for much of the rest of the world. A demonstrator holds a flag during anti-government protests in Santiago, Chile, 6 December 2019. (EPA-EFE/ALBERTO VALDES)...
by Jim Wolf | 19 Dec 2019 | Americas, Asia, Donald Trump, Islam, United States
The U.S. sends troops far from home on an ill-defined mission. Leaders lie. The conflict becomes a quagmire. That’s Afghanistan — or Vietnam redux. Family members of a U.S. soldier who died in Afghanistan look up as military helicopters fly over graveside...
by Sarah Mende | 6 Dec 2019 | Americas, Greens Farms Academy, Human Rights, Podcasts, Student Posts, The Kids Are Alright, Youth Voices
The crisis in Venezuela has exploded into a global, humanitarian emergency. Giavanna Bravo reports in this episode of “The Kids Are Alright.” Years of political and social instability have forced millions of Venezuelans to flee their country. But where are...
by Bernd Debusmann | 5 Dec 2019 | Americas, Decoders, Donald Trump, Economy, Joe Biden
Nations defend themselves with armed forces. But the military alone cannot solve today’s crises. Diplomats and “soft power” are needed. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, right, arrives to testify in Congress, Washington, DC, 15...
by John Mehaffey | 21 Oct 2019 | Americas, Identity, United States
Through his extraordinary talent, perseverance and dignity, baseball great Jackie Robinson helped open major league baseball to black men. First baseman Jackie Robinson (right) flanked by fellow Dodgers teammates. (AP Photo/Harry Harris) During the opening episode of...
