Rebecca Koerselman

Among the younger folk, ‘ghosting’ refers to a sudden and immediate cessation of all communication toward a person, digitally, physically, and on social media. Frankly, this seems like an incredibly immature way to deal with most relationships, but I suppose…

From time to time, librarians cull the stacks. They make decisions about what books to keep and which ones to pitch, donate, or move elsewhere. I am always curious about how they decide which of the old books are classics…

In Iowa, during January, the nights are long and dark. If it isn’t below zero, I find myself enjoying the quiet starlight during early morning runs. The snow makes the roads slippery, but also hushes the sounds. I don’t hear…

When Mark Charles visits schools, college campuses, and communities, he always begins by introducing himself. According to the matrilineal Diné culture, his four clans include his maternal grandmother, of Dutch heritage (translated as ‘the Wooden Shoe people’), his paternal grandmother…

There is less information about the teachers at the Indian boarding schools, but I wonder how many of them believed they were doing the best thing for Native Peoples. I think that many of them meant well. After waging wars…

When I talk with people about the history of religion in the United States, people have a wide variety of reactions. Many people are uncomfortable reading or listening to something that is different from what they believe, what they think…

The oft quoted and misquoted aphorisms about being doomed to repeat history have always confused me. History exists, as do similarities and differences with the past, regardless of what the current population “knows.” Also, since when are all similarities or…

While standing at the National Archives Museum, our current president called for a “1776 Commission” to “restore patriotic education to our schools.” A student sent me an email, asking me what was going on. Indeed.Perhaps the poet Billy Collins said…

It is an interesting time to think about workers and labor. In the aftermath of the Civil War, unions became increasingly vocal about defending the rights of workers. Some of the more pragmatic unionists accepted capitalism but wanted to minimize…

Our warriors kicked full speed into their mounts and went racing after , whooping wildly to strike terror in the herd and make them break in confusion. “Therump, therump, therump”—the ground fairly shook under the beat of our horses’ pelting…