History

*From the [publisher's website](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Cuba-(Winner-of-the-Pulitzer-Prize)/Ada-Ferrer/9781501154560):* **WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE IN HISTORY** **WINNER OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE IN HISTORY** **“Full of…lively insights and lucid prose” (*The Wall Street Journal*) an epic, sweeping history of Cuba and its complex ties to the United States—from before the arrival of Columbus to the present day—written by one of the world’s leading historians of Cuba.** In 1961, at the height of the Cold War, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Cuba, where a momentous revolution had taken power three years earlier. For more than half a century, the stand-off continued—through the tenure of ten American presidents and the fifty-year rule of Fidel Castro. His death in 2016, and the retirement of his brother and successor Raúl Castro in 2021, have spurred questions about the country’s future. Meanwhile, politics in Washington—Barack Obama’s opening to the island, Donald Trump’s reversal of that policy, and the election of Joe Biden—have made the relationship between the two nations a subject of debate once more. Now, award-winning historian Ada Ferrer delivers an “important” (*The Guardian*) and moving chronicle that demands a new reckoning with both the island’s past and its relationship with the United States. Spanning more than five centuries, *Cuba: An American History* provides us with a front-row seat as we witness the evolution of the modern nation, with its dramatic record of conquest and colonization, of slavery and freedom, of independence and revolutions made and unmade. Along the way, Ferrer explores the sometimes surprising, often troubled intimacy between the two countries, documenting not only the influence of the United States on Cuba but also the many ways the island has been a recurring presence in US affairs. This is a story that will give Americans unexpected insights into the history of their own nation and, in so doing, help them imagine a new relationship with Cuba; “readers will close [this] fascinating book with a sense of hope” (*The Economist*). Filled with rousing stories and characters, and drawing on more than thirty years of research in Cuba, Spain, and the United States—as well as the author’s own extensive travel to the island over the same period—this is a stunning and monumental account like no other. ***How to find us:*** We meet in the upstairs seating area at Zorba's in Dupont Circle. Look for a sign on a table with a picture of the book's cover on it. Links: **[Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/91030/9781501154560):** **By purchasing your book through this link, you help support local bookstores and defray the cost of DCIA's Meetup subscription.** [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Cuba-American-Dr-Ada-Ferrer/dp/1501154559) [Simon & Schuster](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Cuba-(Winner-of-the-Pulitzer-Prize)/Ada-Ferrer/9781501154560) [Wikipedia page about Ada Ferrer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Ferrer)

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Horror as Queer,”** a look at the influence and depiction of queerness in horror films, with May Santiago, adjunct professor of film studies at George Mason University and producer of the podcast *Horrorspiria.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-horror-queer](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-horror-queer) .] Horror was queer long before both Brad and Janet succumbed to the charms of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in *The Rocky Horror Picture Show.* In fact, one could make the argument that, for both better and worse, the history of horror films is the history of queers on film. Film scholar May Santiago will do just that, with plenty of vivid examples, in reprising a talk that has earned rave reviews. You’ll learn how queer auteurs such as F.W. Murnau and James Whale were there at the very beginning. Murnau played a central role in the German expressionist movement that gave rise to films such as *Nosferatu*, while Whale left a body of work full of queer codes, including the films *Frankenstein*, *The Old Dark House*, and *The Invisible Man.* From there, Santiago will discuss how the representational codes established by such queer filmmakers were appropriated throughout the celluloid century by non-queer authors who constructed cinematic horror language that used queerness as shorthand for the monstrous. The result was harmful stereotypes of queer people in films and society, with examples being the stoic psycho lesbian trope embodied by Mrs. Danvers in *Rebecca*, the transgender sex-obsessed serial murderer Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s *Psycho*, and the villains of *Dressed to Kill* and *Silence of the Lambs.* Yet, even with these negative portrayals of explicit or implicit queerness, horror cinema’s relationship with queerness and queer audiences has grown stronger with each passing decade, with queer authors and queer audiences reclaiming the monstrosity that created the basis of the horror genre. Santiago will look at how the evolution of horror films coincided with that of queer stereotypes and how queer authors embedded queerness in films that aren’t explicitly queer. Among the questions she’ll tackle: How did we come around to thinking that the Babadook was gay? ? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: A frame from the 1920 silent German horror film *The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari* (tint added).

Hit the pause button for an hour and reduce your stress. You will be compassionately guided through an exploration of intentionally linking your breath with the movement of both dynamic and static stretching and its impact on your (P)hysical, (I)ntellectual, (E)motional, and (S)piritual layers. Then experience the calming practice of restorative yoga which was designed specifically to move you from the fight, flight, or freeze state of the nervous system into the rest and digest state. Leave this all levels, accessible class feeling restored, renewed, and ready for what life has in store for you next. **Please reserve your spot at www.piesfitnessyoga.com.** The session is offered InStudio only. **Sign up for sessions must be made at least 2 hours prior to class.** The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314. Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 3,5,7,9.** The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St.

Hello Euchre Enthusiasts – We are back at the [Irish Channel Restaurant & Pub](https://www.irishchanneldc.com/) in Chinatown on 6/1. **Please RSVP to indicate your attendance and HONOR YOUR RSVP**. If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please update your RSVP. Regular no-show or late notices may get you dropped from the group. It is important that we are able to provide an accurate count to the venue and that all people who want to AND are able to attend are able to do so. **We ask all attendees to pay $1 to participate in the meetup.** This money helps maintain our meetup membership & cover various meetup costs that arise. You can pay $1 on Venmo @amanda-uherek, via Pay-Pal, or in-person (please choose paying friend/family not a business, good or service). All attendees are encouraged to support the business. ***REMINDER:*** everyone is responsible for their own tabs. If you have questions / comments / suggestions please message us. We'll have hand sanitizer & decks of cards on hand, you bring the smack talk. Cheers - Amanda

No sign\-ups required \| All levels welcome \| 21\+ If you're looking for a casual game of chess in a fun atmosphere, this event is for you! Members range from beginner to master level, and games are played both with and without time controls. There are dozens of players each week, with only a fraction of the participants registering on meetup. This event is held at a bar, the Board Room, in Washington, DC, and is intended for 21+ players. We meet upstairs, on the mezzanine. Upon arrival, fill out a name tag and indicate your relative skill, to facilitate match-ups. Chess sets and boards are provided. We don't have club clocks, but most people use the Chess Clock app from Chess.com to play timed games.

Hi All, This event is being held in partnership with the DMV Spades Meetup Group. Direct all questions to the Organizer and Host, Nne-Nne Abanobi. ***** 🎲♠️♟️ **Monday Game Nights & Spades Play in DC** 🎲♠️♟️ Stop in after work for food, fun, and games at 1942 Lounge in DC! ♟️🎲♠️ Play Spades and other games starting at 6pm! All skill levels are welcome! 🍸🍷🍺 Happy Hour Specials Available! Indulge in elevated vibes, craft cocktails, and curated experiences. 📍1942 DC Lounge 1942 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 ⏳️ 6pm to 9pm www.1942loungedc.com 🏈 Stay late to watch Monday Night Football too! 🏈

With Christopher Nolan's film adaptation on the horizon, it's time for us to finally read one of the most iconic classics of Greek literature: Homer's *Odyssey*! We'll be reading the epic poem over the course of three meetings, starting with books 1-8, which introduce us to the situation on Odysseus's home of Ithaca and the first half of his long journey home from the Trojan War. I will be reading from the highly regarded [Lattimore](https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-odyssey-of-homer-richmond-lattimore/ca6dbb99680e7cd9) translation, but feel free to use whichever version you prefer. As usual, we will meet in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in the **205-B Accessibility Room**, located on the second floor. Ask at the Center for Accessibility front desk if you are looking for us. See you there!

Let's talk films, too! We will be seeing "Pressure," starring Brendan Fraser, at the Regal Gallery Place, next to Capital One Arena. Afterwards, we will repair to Clyde's, to have a drink and talk about what we saw. Just like with the books, our focus is on good casual conversation. The film starts at 7:05 and run time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Let's meet near the main entrance at 6:45. Attendees will responsible for buying their own tickets; I highly recommend purchasing in advance.

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Understanding Honor Violence,”** on recognizing and responding to harmful traditional practices that exert control over others, with Sasha K. Taylor, visiting lecturer at Ohio State University’s Global Fellowship Program and advisor and trainer in honor violence prevention. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-honor-violence](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-honor-violence) .] People claiming to enforce traditional honor codes are responsible for a significant share of murders and other violent or abusive acts within immigrant and refugee communities. Honor-based violence and abuse often play a role in human trafficking, forced marriage, child marriage, visa-based coercion, and in the abandonment of families across international borders. Yet too often it is underreported, misunderstood, or overlooked by people and institutions with the power to help its victims. Learn how to spot and deal with honor-based violence with Sasha K. Taylor, a former FBI Intelligence official who provides training to law enforcement, non-profit organizations, and private companies and also is extensively involved with regional organizations that combat human trafficking. She’ll start by discussing how honor codes that have governed community life since the dawn of human civilization gave rise to the use of honor-related abuse, oppression, shame, and violence to exert control and perpetuate inequality. Although boys and men can be victims of honor-based violence, the perpetrators of it are predominantly male and the survivors predominantly female, lending support to the idea that honor violence is a form of gender-based violence. The forms that such violence can take include genital mutilation and honor killings. She’ll discuss state and federal data related to the prevalence of various forms of honor violence and describe how complex forms of abuse are often underreported, misunderstood, or overlooked. You’ll learn about cultural and systemic barriers to disclosure, warning signs and risk factors, the intersection of immigration vulnerabilities and abuse, and the challenges that survivors face when seeking protection and services. We’ll also look at policy responses to honor violence and how gaps within current federal immigration frameworks may unintentionally contribute to vulnerability and exploitation. Her talk will be especially helpful for first responders, victim advocates, educators, healthcare professionals, social workers, and law enforcement personnel who are often the first point of contact during a crisis. She’ll emphasize trauma-informed engagement, emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and empathetic response strategies that treat survivors with dignity and sensitivity. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: The main illustration for “Rasminah The Last Victim,” a series on child marriage on the Indonesian podcast station KBR (Creative Commons).

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy,”** on findings, debates and trends in the use of psychedelic substances to treat trauma and other conditions, with Whitney Marris, instructor at the University of Buffalo’s School of Social Work, certified psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator, and consultant to clinical trials. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy) .] Psychedelics are rapidly moving from the margins into the mainstream, and questions abound as the sociocultural and legal landscapes surrounding them shift. President Trump’s recent executive order expanding access to psychedelic drugs for certain conditions and accelerating research on them has both heightened interest and added to confusion. Learn more about the so-called “Psychedelic Renaissance,” and get help separating the hope from the hype surrounding it, with Whitney Marris, a leading trainer and facilitator of psychedelic therapy who has used it to treat trauma survivors, military veterans, and people with cancer. She’ll present foundational information on what we know about how psychedelics work. You’ll learn how psychedelic-assisted therapy differs from “trip sitting” and about what we know about the effects of “microdosing” versus “macrodosing.” We’ll examine what has been demonstrated to be helpful versus harmful before, during, and after a dosing session intended to support significant, sustainable change. Marris also will discuss the historical and cultural context of the use of psychedelic medicines for healing, and she’ll describe the ethical challenges that arise as such practices move from counterculture to clinic. We’ll look at emerging and evolving findings in the field, as well as at the roles being played by various financial interests and ideologies in determining the direction of psychedelic-assisted therapy and research on its outcomes. Attendees will gain an awareness of the need for new professional standards and regulatory guardrails related to such work, and they’ll leave knowing key questions to ask potential providers of psychedelic-assisted therapy. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-washington-online-tickets-1972272305558?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - [+971504724873](http://wa.me/971504724873) ( WhatsApp Only)

Playtesting Agent and Battle-scale of the Zone-17 role-playing and miniatures game.

Topic to be announced. **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

Hosted by Ohio History Connection Address: Octagon Earthworks 125 N. 33rd St., Newark, OH 43055 UNESCO World Heritage Site Join us on June 18 at the Octagon Earthworks Visitor Center for a special evening celebrating the release of John E. Hancock’s new book, **Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks: Landscape Monuments of the Ancient Ohio Valley.** Event Schedule • Doors open: 6:30 p.m. • Lecture begins: 7 p.m. John Hancock will share the story behind Ohio’s remarkable Hopewell earthworks and how eight of these architectural masterpieces became UNESCO World Heritage Sites. He will also discuss how this new Smithsonian publication presents the latest knowledge about their astonishing scope, subtle beauty, and the brilliant Indigenous designers and builders who created them nearly 2,000 years ago. • Book signing: Immediately following the lecture. Books will be available for purchase. **Admission** • $10 per person or Free with a purchase of a book • Free for OHC members • Free for students with a valid ID **About the Book** Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks presents Ohio’s eight UNESCO-inscribed earthworks in a richly illustrated volume from Smithsonian Books. This expanded and re-edited edition of the sites’ World Heritage nomination dossier was produced in collaboration with the Ohio History Connection and the National Park Service. The book features illustrated descriptions and histories of these Indigenous masterpieces, summaries of archaeological research, insights from American Indian scholars and leaders, and discussions of the earthworks’ design, construction, and cultural significance. **About the Author** John E. Hancock taught architecture, design, and history at the University of Cincinnati for 40 years. He has produced numerous multimedia exhibits and publications about Ohio’s earthworks and served as the principal author and photographer for the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks UNESCO World Heritage nomination. In addition to this Smithsonian publication (April 2026), he has also released Traveler’s Guide to Ancient Ohio (April 2026). Come learn about one of the world’s greatest ancient landscapes and meet the author behind this exciting new publication! More info: [https://www.ohiohistory.org/events/lecture-and-book-signing-with-john-e-hancock/](https://www.ohiohistory.org/events/lecture-and-book-signing-with-john-e-hancock/)

Let’s meet and share discussion of the James Baldwin short story collection, Going to Meet The Man.

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

I have been studying the question of "self" online with Prof. Ellie Anderson and so I thought a prompt on the "self" might be interesting. Full confession: I had Claude create this prompt and I like it, so here goes: Imagine a thought experiment that merges two classic puzzles: > You undergo a procedure, performed neuron by neuron, in which every biological component of your brain is replaced with a functionally identical synthetic substitute. At each step, your behavior, memories, and personality remain unchanged. When the last neuron is swapped, is the consciousness experiencing the world still you? And — more pressingly — was there ever a continuous "you" to begin with? ### Questions to Wrestle With * If consciousness is purely physical, does the *gradual* nature of the replacement matter, or is it equivalent to being destroyed and rebuilt? * Could there be a "self" without continuity of experience — even moment to moment, while you sleep? On a more practical level, consider the simpler case first: **hemispherectomy** patients — people who have had an entire cerebral hemisphere surgically removed — often retain a strong sense of personal identity and continuity. This suggests "you" are not rigidly tied to specific physical material. But does that vindicate the synthetic neuron case, or merely show that identity is more *flexible* than we thought — not that it can survive *complete* substrate replacement? I used Claude so I could get this out today and let everyone have some time to consider it. Hope to see you at the Oracle. Sorry about the location change two weeks ago. That's what I get for trusting local weather predictions!

The topic for June is "Roadtrip" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Join Guest Host Jeff and the group as we get together to see the historical drama, PRESSURE! Brendan Frasier, Andrew Scott and Kerry Condon star in this film about the tense and dramatic days leading up to the D-Day invasion! Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Captain James Stagg n the tense 72 hours before D-Day. With the fate of the free world in the balance, they face an impossible choice: launch the largest and most dangerous seaborne invasion in history or risk losing the war altogether. It is directed by Anthony Maras and based on David Haig’s 2014 stage play. The film stars Brendan Fraser, Andrew Scott, Kerry Condon, Chris Messina and Damian Lewis. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcPgrKoXe_c PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the bar area about 30 minutes before showtime! Once showtime is announced, please purchase your ticket in advance and list your seat number in the Comments section of this event! Exact showtime and complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer! Look forward to seeing you there, Jeff P.S. from Dan: THANK YOU to Jeff for hosting this event!