PinnedLegacies of Al-Andalus and the Reconquista in SpainMany would be shocked to hear a description of Spain as an intersection of cultures, or a country defined by multiple religions. It is certainly true that these classifications would fall short in the present day, especially for one viewing Spain from the outside. The dominance of Catholicism in Spain…Spain20 min readSpain20 min read
Mar 30, 2022Smooth Sailing: A Night at The Marías’ Cinema TourThis article was published at https://www.fattystrap.com/article/smooth-sailing-a-night-at-the-mar%C3%ADas-cinema-tour It’s tough to think of many bands that deserve their success more than The Marías. After a few years of consistent releases, innovative production, and steady quality, they’ve built themselves a solid platform and a devoted fanbase. It’s a triumph for a band that…Music5 min readMusic5 min read
May 27, 2021Historiography of the Haitian Revolution: The Curse of ComplexityThere is no doubt that the Haitian Revolution was a landmark historical event. In an extraordinary course of events, slaves in the French colony of Saint-Domingue launched a violent revolt that eventually established the independent nation of Haiti. It was the most successful slave rebellion in history and a major…Haiti16 min readHaiti16 min read
May 11, 2021Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj: The Messaging Behind India’s Fight for IndependenceMahatma Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj is a unique manifesto. The book is written in almost a list-like form, laying out Gandhi’s ideas on a variety of topics pertaining to the Indian subcontinent. It is a dialogue, allowing Gandhi to express his thoughts and preemptively respond to counterarguments and conflicting positions. This…India7 min readIndia7 min read
Apr 13, 20211857: Rebellion, Imperialism, and How History is Written by the VictorsThe 1857 rebellion of sepoys is perhaps the defining event of the colonial period in the Indian subcontinent. The expression of Indian discontent and resulting change in British administration after the rebellion have led to it widely being seen as a turning point. Despite a relative lack of an idea…18577 min read18577 min read
Apr 13, 2021The Debate on Sati: Deeper Conclusions on Tradition, Colonialism, and Women’s RightsThe issue of sati was and to an extent still is a battleground for the debate of tradition, women’s rights, and authority. The practice, which was relatively rare, has held a far larger importance in the debate surrounding it than it ever held in practice. This debate was inflamed as…India7 min readIndia7 min read
Apr 12, 2021Historiography of the 18th century in India: Transitions, Change, and ContinuityMost would agree that as in any other century, the eighteenth century saw quite a bit of change and historical development. In the Indian subcontinent, disagreements center around the extent to which change and a break from the past occurred. The powerful Mughal state collapsed, but how much change really…India8 min readIndia8 min read
Dec 15, 2020An Analysis of South African Street Art Through 10 MuralsSouth Africa has existed and continues to exist in a very politically and socially charged reality. With apartheid in the recent past and continuing problems of inequality and integration into a new system, the country has seen quite a bit of activism in all forms surrounding dissatisfaction with its state…South Africa10 min readSouth Africa10 min read
Dec 15, 2020Italian Immigrants, the Lawrence Textile Strike and the Early American Labor MovementIt is undeniable that the American labor movement of the late 19th Century and early 20th Century was hugely beneficial for low-wage workers. Those typically in the most difficult conditions and with the lowest wages were immigrants, and the successes of the labor movement improved working conditions for immigrants of…Labor11 min readLabor11 min read
Nov 11, 2020How Japan Centralized Just in Time to Avoid ColonizationEuropean encounters with Japan followed a very different course than most other interactions with other non-European societies, as Japan was able to completely repel exploitation and incursion. In the 16th century, European colonization was in full swing and Japan looked an easy target as a divided kingdom usually mired in…Japan3 min readJapan3 min read
