Yes and that happens more often than people know. Let's say you have federal and state causes of action and the federal one does not shut out the state one (some federal laws do under the "supremacy" clause of the US constitution). I think most attorneys would file in federal court with "pendant" state actions.
One other major way is through "diversity of jurisdiction" where you're in one state and the defendant is in another state, and the amount you're claiming is over $75,000.00. In that case you could bring the case in either federal or state court. Federal courts don't necessarily care for them because the clog the federal docket (and the rules on whether you've really got a $75,000 case can be a bit tricky) but if it's a solid case, yup.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.