Lakshmi Gandhi
Articles From This Author
The Transcontinental Railroad's Dark Costs: Exploited Labor, Stolen Lands
Construction on the Transcontinental Railroad began on January 8, 1863 in Sacramento, when workers for the Central Pacific Railroad first broke ground for the track. Eleven months later, their counterparts in the Midwest—workers for the Union Pacific Railroad—began breaking ...read more
How Mexican Vaqueros Inspired the American Cowboy
Hundreds of years before there was the American cowboy, there was the vaquero, an expert horseman who could adeptly herd cattle and whose skills with a lasso were legendary. First trained by the Spaniards who arrived in 1519, on land later known as Mexico, the original vaqueros ...read more
After 9/11: 5 Cultural Moments That Helped Americans Move Forward
While the United States was still reeling after the September 11 terrorist attacks, it was the country’s comedians, musicians and screen stars, along with a symbolic sports moment, that played a prominent initial role in helping America collectively process its shock and grief. ...read more
How Two Vietnamese Sisters Led a Revolt Against Chinese Invaders—in the 1st Century
Long before women revolutionaries like Joan of Arc and Catherine of Aragon, two high-born Vietnamese sisters rallied their people in order to fight against oppression. Known simply as the Trung sisters, Trung Trac and Trung Nhi raised an army and went to battle in order to ...read more
The Asian American Women Who Fought to Make Their Mark in WWII
Asian American women played a critical part in America’s war effort during World War II. Coming from diverse backgrounds—including Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Filipino—they served in important roles ranging from pilots and translators to factory workers and guerrilla fighters. ...read more
5 Latino-Led Labor Strikes That Championed Rights for American Workers
When it comes to the fight for workers’ rights in the United States, Latino Americans have been critical players since the early 1900s. Their organizing and agitating have led to improved working conditions and wages in industries across the U.S. “Latinos have been part of the ...read more
5 Black Suffragists Who Fought for the 19th Amendment—And Much More
When Congress ratified the 19th Amendment on August 18,1920, giving American women the right to vote, it reflected the culmination of generations’ worth of work by resolute suffragists of all races and backgrounds. Historically, attention has focused on the efforts of white ...read more