How pit bulls got a bad reputation

2024-08-14T13:57:26-04:00

Pit bulls are one of the most controversial and misunderstood dogs in America. They are subject to breed-specific legislation (BSL), which exists in over 700 US cities and communities. BSL refers to laws that restrict or ban ownership of dogs based on breeds, particularly pit bulls, due to their reputation for being dangerous and aggressive.

Once regarded as great family dogs, pit bulls have been featured as the lovable sidekick in The Little Rascals and even appear in US patriotism campaigns. However, like many other dogs in American history, pit bulls have gone through cycles of stigmatization driven by both societal and cultural forces. Before pit bulls were demonized, the first dog that caused the public to panic was the Spitz — a pomeranian-like breed that’s now considered a “toy” dog. But back in the 19th century, they were called “venomous beasts” on the pages of the New York Times.

So how did pit bulls go from family friend to national foe? We speak to Bronwen Dickey, the author of the book Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon, who was also interviewed for an episode of Today, Explained. Dickey takes us through the history of their reputation, explains why the term “pit bull” is technically a misnomer, and shares how the stigma against pit bulls affects both dog owners and animal welfare.

Why do we have grass lawns?

2024-07-18T18:58:45-04:00

Turf grass lawns seem like a ubiquitous and natural part of American neighborhoods. It’s hard to imagine a block with anything besides green lawns. But there is nothing inevitable about grass being what we cover our yards with.

The tradition of putting decorative, nonfunctional turf grass on lawns began in France and England where it was a display of wealth and opulence. If you had a grass lawn it meant that you could afford to devote large portions of land to something that couldn’t be sold or eaten. This tradition was popularized in America by influential figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who both adorned their estates with grass lawns.

But grass lawns remained accessible only to the wealthy who could afford their own home. This all shifted in the mid-20th century with the explosion of the American suburbs, where tens of millions of families purchased new homes that often had their very own green grass lawns.

Grass lawns, though, require a lot of time and resources to maintain. There is a growing movement to replace turf grass lawns with more environmentally friendly, native plants that are better for the environment.

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Dean Peterson | Vox

How pit bulls got a bad reputation

Why do we have grass lawns?