culture war : NPR

Jackie Lay

The truth and lies behind one of the most banned books in America

June 26, 2024 • Author Mike Curato wrote Flamer as a way to help young queer kids, like he once was, better understand and accept themselves. It was met with immediate praise and accolades — until it wasn't. When the book got caught up in a wave of Texas-based book bans, suddenly the narrative changed. And like so many books that address queer identity, Flamer quickly became a flashpoint in a long, messy culture war that tried to distort the nature of the book.

The truth and lies behind one of the most banned books in America

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Republicans can't stop using the word 'woke'. But what does it really mean?

Florida Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference in West Columbia, S.C., on July 18. Sean Rayford/AP hide caption

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Sean Rayford/AP

Republicans can't stop using the word 'woke'. But what does it really mean?

July 21, 2023 • There's a "war on woke" on the 2024 GOP campaign trail but the term itself is full of history and meaning far beyond the culture wars.

Republicans can't stop using the word 'woke'. But what does it really mean?

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After Hill funding fight, Buttigieg calls culture wars, drag show focus 'maddening'

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a meeting of President Biden's Competition Council in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Bloomberg via Getty Images

Politics

After Hill funding fight, Buttigieg calls culture wars, drag show focus 'maddening'

July 20, 2023 • Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg slammed growing political rhetoric and focus on culture war issues, such as LGBTQ concerns.

Teachers are on the front lines in Jan. 6 culture war

Waukee School District teacher Liz Wagner, seen here in her home in Urbandale, Iowa, said last year she was on the front line of the COVID war. "Now I'm on the front line of the culture war, and I don't want to be there." Charlie Neibergall/AP hide caption

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Charlie Neibergall/AP

Education

Teachers are on the front lines in Jan. 6 culture war

January 4, 2022 • Teachers now are left to decide how — or whether — to instruct their students about the events that sit at the heart of the country's division.