Politics is showing up everywhere, from sports and entertainment to concerts and social media. We look at whether athletes and celebrities should use their platforms to speak out and why many Americans feel politics has spread too far into everyday life. Then, we examine the disability employment gap. Even with similar levels of education, people with disabilities remain less likely to be employed and continue to face assumptions, accessibility barriers, and unequal opportunities in the workplace. We also explore whether the rise of remote work has helped. And, finally, does opening an umbrella indoors really bring bad luck? We look back at what Americans said about this familiar superstition.
Politics is no longer confined to campaigns and government. It now appears across sports, music, movies, social media, and celebrity culture. In this episode, we explore how Americans feel about athletes and entertainers speaking on political and social issues, whether those messages influence public opinion, and why many people think politics has become too present in everyday life. And, we remember that, while this is not really new, from the 1968 Black US Olympians in Mexico City to politically-charged Oscars shows, it does seem more widespread than ever.
Then, we look at the continuing disability employment gap. More than 35 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, people with disabilities remain far less likely to be employed, even when they have comparable education and qualifications. Employer assumptions, inaccessible hiring practices, and concerns about accommodations can all create barriers. At the same time, the growth of remote work may be helping some people with physical disabilities enter or remain in full-time employment.
Finally, we revisit an old superstition: is opening an umbrella indoors really bad luck? And what about all those other things we do like tossing salt over your shoulder...or coins into the back seat of your new car? Turns out, we are a far more superstitious bunch than you (or we) might have thought.