Radiolab – Americanish

Intro

Radiolab is a popular podcast that delves into complex and intriguing topics, providing listeners with engaging and accessible discussions. In the episode “Americanish,” the show explores various aspects of American identity and citizenship, focusing on the experiences of American Samoans and the implications of birthright citizenship.

Main Takeaways

Julia Longoria and More Perfect

• Julia Longoria, the new host of More Perfect, shares her interest in Constitutional law, which stems from her upbringing in a family of Cuban refugees.
• More Perfect, a show spun off from Radiolab, covers the Supreme Court and aims to highlight meaningful conversations on important issues.
• Julia’s pitch for a show idea led her to work on More Perfect, which recently returned with new episodes.

The Supreme Court and Recent Cases

• The Supreme Court is currently facing increasing unpopularity and has overturned some of its landmark cases.
• More Perfect explores various topics related to the Supreme Court, including Clarence Thomas, abortion cases, and voting rights.
• The first episode of More Perfect focuses on Al Smith, a Native American man fired for using illegal drugs as part of a religious ceremony, connecting to recent cases like Masterpiece Cake Shop.

American Samoans and Birthright Citizenship

• American Samoans, despite residing in a US territory, are not automatically granted birthright citizenship.
• The Insular Cases, a series of Supreme Court cases, determined the status of US territories, leading to the exclusion of territories like Puerto Rico and American Samoa from full constitutional rights.
• The denial of birthright citizenship to American Samoans raises concerns about inequality and the preservation of traditional practices.

Land Ownership and Cultural Identity

• American Samoa has unique land ownership laws, including requirements based on Samoan bloodline, which can prevent individuals with less than 50% Samoan blood from owning land.
• The communal system in American Samoa prioritizes community rights over individual rights, which clashes with the individualistic Western system.
• There are debates about the potential impact of granting birthright citizenship to American Samoans on land ownership and cultural preservation.

Citizenship and Immigration

• American Samoans have concerns about granting birthright citizenship, fearing potential threats to their traditional practices and communal system.
• Immigrants from various countries, such as Korea, China, the Philippines, and Tonga, seek citizenship in American Samoa.
• The lack of enforcement of immigration laws in American Samoa leads to exploitative conditions for immigrants on questionable visas.

Summary

Julia Longoria and More Perfect

Julia Longoria, the host of More Perfect, shares her passion for Constitutional law and her journey from a family of Cuban refugees to working on the show. More Perfect aims to shed light on important Supreme Court cases and foster meaningful conversations on pressing issues.

The Supreme Court and Recent Cases

The Supreme Court’s declining popularity and its overturning of significant cases set the stage for More Perfect’s exploration of topics like Clarence Thomas, abortion, and voting rights. The first episode examines the story of Al Smith and its connections to recent cases, highlighting the show’s commitment to addressing urgent arguments in the country.

American Samoans and Birthright Citizenship

American Samoans, despite residing in a US territory, face the unique situation of not being granted birthright citizenship. This discrepancy arises from the Insular Cases, which determined the status of US territories and limited constitutional rights for territories like Puerto Rico and American Samoa. The denial of birthright citizenship raises questions about equality and the preservation of cultural practices.

Land Ownership and Cultural Identity

American Samoa’s land ownership laws, including requirements based on Samoan bloodline, pose challenges to individuals with less than 50% Samoan blood owning land. The communal system in American Samoa prioritizes community rights over individual rights, leading to debates about the potential impact of birthright citizenship on land ownership and cultural preservation.

Citizenship and Immigration

American Samoans have concerns about granting birthright citizenship, fearing potential threats to their traditional practices and communal system. Additionally, immigrants from various countries seek citizenship in American Samoa, while the lack of enforcement of immigration laws contributes to exploitative conditions for immigrants on questionable visas.

Conclusion

The episode “Americanish” of Radiolab’s More Perfect provides a thought-provoking exploration of American identity, citizenship, and the complexities surrounding birthright citizenship for American Samoans. It raises important questions about equality, cultural preservation, and the impact of legal decisions on marginalized communities.