Review of Hillbilly Nationalists

Introduction Here is my long overdue review of “Hillbilly Nationalists, Urban Race Rebels, and Black Power: Community Organizing in Radical Times,” by Amy Sonnie and James Tracy (Melville House Publishing, 2021). Long overdue, but particular timely, with the recent passing of José “Cha Cha” Jiménez (August 8, 1948 – January 10, 2025). Jimenez was an activist […]

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Calumet Massacre

Deadly Stampede at a Union Christmas Party On Christmas Eve, 1913, seventy-three people in Calumet, Michigan died in the “Calumet Massacre,” including 59 kids. The majority were Finns, Croats and Slovenes. The Western Federation of Miners (WFM) was having a Christmas party for striking copper miners at the Italian Hall. About 500 miners and their

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Whatever Happened to the Trick in Trick or Treat?

Scottish and Irish immigrants, who were fleeing the Great Famine of 1845-1852, brought Halloween to the U.S. People celebrated Halloween quite differently than how most Americans celebrate it today. Early Irish-American Halloween celebrations usually began with a big meal, with foods and rituals to divine the future. Halloween Feast A traditional Halloween entree was colcannon,

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