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Lead story For many Americans, this weekend feels like the start of summer – an odd time to think about the first day of school. But today’s article by historian Peter Mancall had me digging out an old photo, snapped on the patio of my childhood home just before the first bus of the year arrived. Maybe 7 or 8, I’m holding two very ‘90s accessories: a Pocahontas backpack and lunch bag. Pocahontas’ Disney-fied face was everywhere at the time, and some aspects of the film have been celebrated. But it takes liberties – to put it very lightly – with the facts of Pocahontas’ own story. Bigger picture, the movie romanticized Native American cultures and downplayed the violence of colonization. Mancall uses the only surviving portrait of Pocahontas to tell a different story – one that better reflects colonial history and how the English viewed Native Americans. In sharp contrast to her screen persona, the black-and-white engraving is almost severe: a young woman in a heavy, full-sleeved dress, who wears a massive lace collar and holds a quill pen. The engraving highlights English people’s mistaken assumption that Native Americans would “rapidly embrace the colonists’ culture,” he writes. [ Understand what’s going on in Washington and around the world. Get our Politics Weekly newsletter. ] |
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Molly Jackson Religion and Ethics Editor |
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Simon van de Passe’s 1616 engraving of Pocahontas is the only known portrait made during her lifetime. National Portrait Gallery/Wikimedia Commons
Peter C. Mancall, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences The English assumed people they colonized would convert to their way of life, including Protestant Christianity – an assumption reflected in Pocahontas’ portrait. |
Health + Medicine |
Jamie Rowen, UMass Amherst Many veterans struggle with addiction, mental health conditions and homelessness after military service. Veterans Treatment Courts aim to help – but they need stable funding to do so. |
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Economy + Business |
Yuanyuan (Gina) Cui, Coastal Carolina University; Patrick van Esch, Coastal Carolina University For shoppers tying to avoid Amazon, its expansion into shipping and logistics for thousands of companies makes that choice more difficult.
💬 Comments open Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria; David Hunter, American University The World Bank Group’s integration process must at least maintain the current independence, accessibility and effectiveness of its three accountability mechanisms. |
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Ethics + Religion |
Iqbal Akhtar, Florida International University As millions gather for Hajj, they will circle the Kaaba, which is draped in the black cloth known as the kiswah – a sacred object shaped by centuries of faith, politics and power. |
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Politics + Society |
John A. Shjarback, Rowan University Camden, New Jersey’s homicide rate in 2025 was four times the national average – still high, but a marked change from when it was 18 times the national average in 2012.
💬 Comments open |
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Science + Technology |
JuYoung Lee, Mississippi State University; Caroline Kobia, Mississippi State University Centuries-old habits shaped today’s fashion standards.
💬 Comments open |
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International |
Jia B. Kangbai, Njala University The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has the potential to become huge and of long duration. |
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Memorial Day |
Christopher B. Daly, Boston University As we commemorate Memorial Day, the drama behind the headlines announcing Germany’s surrender in World War II. Katrina Stack, University of Tennessee; Derek H. Alderman, University of Tennessee For some military members, a hillside in California embodies the sacrifices of serving. Susan H. Kamei, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Young Japanese American men who were incarcerated because they were presumed to be disloyal were considered loyal enough for compulsory military service. |
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Reader Comments 💬 |
“If it was not for Steven Colbert, the New York Times, and Saturday Night Live, average citizens in Australia, New Zealand - and elsewhere no doubt - would be inclined to believe that the USA is no longer a place where: freedom of speech exists, corruption is minimised, aggression toward other countries is curtailed, rights are honoured (especially voter rights and basic human rights), due process enacted, justice prevails, and dissenting views are regarded with respect.” – Reader Gillian Richards on the story 5 reasons Stephen Colbert is one of the most important satirists in American history More of The Conversation
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