History & Society

A 2011 crime scene in Tulare County, where one of Jose Martinez's victims was found. | Courtesy of Marion County Sherff’s Office via FOIA/Buzzfeed

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City Rising

California's Unincorporated Places Can Be Poor, Powerless — and the Perfect Place to Commit Murder

It's time to do better by communities that don’t even have local police to call, let alone defund.

Protesters confront police outside the 3rd Police Precinct on May 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota after the George Floyd killing | Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

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City Rising

In California, A History of Young, Powerful Voices in Journalism Emerge

In the Golden State, the youth have a long history of storytelling that uncovers little-heard narratives.

Pages of La Opinion newspaper | Still from "187"

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187

Educators and Journalists Help Us Understand Prop 187

Proposition 187 and its aftermath was a dizzying series of events that involved people from all sectors of society. We speak with educators and journalists who have studied the people and events involved. Through their lens, this pivotal time in the state

Raphael J. Sonenshein | Ricardo Palavecino for "187"

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Raphe Sonenshein: Cold War Fears Weaponized Against Immigrants

Raphe Sonenshein explains California's political trajectories, its political parties and communities.

Celia Lacayo | Ricardo Palavecino for "187"

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Celia Lacayo: It Was Race Then; It Is Race Now

Celia Lacayo compares 187's "Save Our State" campaign with Trump's "Make America Great" again slogan.

Manuel Pastor | Ricardo Palavecino for "187"

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Manuel Pastor: The Ongoing Struggle Against Racism

California has made strides against racism, but it still has a ways to go, says Pastor.

Fernando Guerra | Ricardo Palavecino for "187"

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187

Fernando Guerra: California Was a Red State. After 187, It Became Blue.

Prop 187 is a political earthquake in California that's still creating aftershocks.

Chon Noriega | Ricardo Palavecino for "187"

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Chon Noriega: Art Helps to Focus and Shift How People Think About an Issue

No successful movement occurred without arts sharpening its message, says Chon Noriega.

Pilar Marrero | Samanta Helou Hernandez for "187"

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Pilar Marrero: La Opinión Immigration Journalist at the Forefront of Prop. 187 Spanish-Language Media Coverage

Pilar Marrero was four years into her career at La Opinión when Proposition 187 landed.

Demonstrators gather in front of the United States Supreme Court, where the Court is hearing arguments on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - DACA. | Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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City Rising

How Youth Activism Has Shaped American Democracy

These activists are part of a long history in America, stretching back as far back as the 1830s (and likely beyond), of youth challenging and transforming our democracy. Here is a look at some of those movements.