Rodger Streitmatter is a journalist and cultural historian whose work investigates how media have shaped American culture. His analyses delve into the intricate connections between communication and societal evolution. Streitmatter examines the influence of media on our perceptions of the world and how we interpret history. His scholarship offers profound insights into the workings of the media landscape and its impact on collective identity.
The evolution of news is vividly explored through engaging storytelling, making complex historical developments accessible and interesting. Covering the period from the American Revolution to the present, each chapter presents key events and shifts in journalism, captivating readers and sparking their imagination. This approach stands out by avoiding dry facts, instead offering an insightful narrative that keeps students engaged.
In this refreshing account of the Fourth Estate's efforts to improve U.S. society, Streitmatter draws on historical and contemporary examples, primary and secondary sources, to provide a thoughtful tour of American history, social change, and the benefits of a robust media.
Celebrate LGBTQIA+ history with the untold stories of 15 prominent same-sex couples who defied cultural norms and made significant contributions to the arts, social change, and more. For more than a century before gay marriage became a hot-button political issue, same-sex unions flourished in America. Pairs of men and pairs of women joined together in committed unions, standing by each other “for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health” for periods of 30 or 40—sometimes as many as 50—years. In short, they loved and supported each other every bit as much as any husband and wife. In Outlaw Marriages, cultural historian Rodger Streitmatter reveals how some of these unions didn’t merely improve the quality of life for the 2 people involved but also enriched the American culture. Among the high-profile couples are: • Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams and Mary Rozet Smith • Literary icon Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas • Author James Baldwin and Lucien Happersberger • Artists Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg • Legendary poet Walt Whitman and Peter Doyle • Classic Hollywood star Greta Garbo and Mercedes de Acosta While no partnership is the same—some were tumultuous, while others were more supportive and long-lasting—all changed the course of American history.
An excerpt from the China chapter of Kangaroo Mama & the Boy Scout Tom and I have never compared notes on exactly what thoughts were coursing through our individual heads during our anxiety-filled night in Chengdu, but I remember quite clearly that I was convinced that, any second, the local vice squad was going to come storming through the door of our hotel room and mete out the Chinese government's standard punishment whenever two men were identified as being homosexual: Chain them to a ramshackle pagoda on the outskirts of some small village in a distant province, slather their bodies with fresh goat blood, and send in a pack of freakishly skinny, half-starved dogs to have their way with the errant ho-hos.
The Media's Changing Depiction of Gay Men and Lesbians
The book explores the evolution of media portrayals of gay individuals over the past fifty years, highlighting key milestones that reflect this transformation. Each chapter focuses on a specific media product that illustrates the shift from negative stereotypes and demonization to a more celebratory representation of certain segments of the LGBTQ+ community. This analysis reveals the complexities and nuances of how gay identities have been depicted in American media, showcasing both progress and ongoing challenges.