AU Newsmakers 8.17-8.14, 2020

AFP quoted David Barker, director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, in an article about the Biden-Harris ticket. Barker, who shared his insights during an AU-hosted media briefing, said, “There will be questions about whether she is a team player in the White House and not looking out for herself and ahead to the next election.” Prof. Barker and Sam Fullwood, a fellow at American University's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, contributed an article to The Conversation about Biden's pick. Distinguished Professor of History, Allan Lichtman spoke to CNBC, CBC and CTV News. Capri Cafaro, executive-in-residence in the School of Public Affairs, spoke to BBC and CBC News. Molly O'Rourke, executive-in-residence in the School of Communication, spoke to Gray TV. (8/12, 8/13)

75th Anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings

Peter Kuznick, director of the Nuclear Studies Institute, spoke to C-SPAN about the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Kuznick also contributed to an LA Times op-ed about the anniversary. (8/9)

Faculty Author

American Culture Sees Blackness as the Damage It Did to Us, Not the Joy We Take in Ourselves.

Donald Earl Collins, professorial lecturer of history and American studies, wrote an online article for NBC News about joy and the Black-American identity. Collins wrote, “Blackness in America is greater than the sum of its parts, crafted from struggle and resistance, birthing joy in the process.” (8/9)

Expertise

Trump Continues His Norm-Breaking by Campaigning From the White House

Anita McBride, executive-in-residence in the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, spoke to CNN Politics about President Trump potentially conducting campaign events from the White House. McBride said, “There is more scrutiny and every action could be looked at through a political lens.” David Barker, director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, also discussed this issue with The Hill. (8/7)

Breonna Taylor's Name is a National Rallying Cry. Will It Be Enough to Charge the Police?

Sherri Williams, assistant professor of communication, spoke to USA Today about national attention around Breonna Taylor's death, and attempts to bring the police to justice. Williams said, “The problem is, in this country, we're just really not paying attention to the ways in which Black women are not only victims of police violence, but victims of violence in general.” (8/10)

Why China's Catastrophic Floods Will Barely Dent Its Economy

Judith Shapiro, professor in the School of International Service, spoke to Fortune Magazine about the economic impact of recent floods in China. Shapiro said, “If the [Three Gorges] dam were to break, it would ba a disaster of cataclysmic proportions.” (8/8)

The Science of Anti-Semitism

Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab, spoke to the Washington Examiner about anti-semitism and online culture. Miller-Idriss said that the trend demands attention to youth culture and online communication. (8/7)

'Black Broadway': Segregation and U Street Headlined D.C. Theater's Chat With Experts

Derek Hyra, associate professor of public affairs, took part in a roundtable on Black art and theater in DC that was featured by WTOP. Hyra said, “If I wanted to understand some of the most historic black communities in the country, I need to understand U Street.” (8/8)

Prepared by University Communications

American University's faculty, staff, students and programs appear in regional, national and international print, online and broadcast media regularly. Each week, AU Newsmakers provides highlights of AU in the news. For prior weeks, go to: http://www.american.edu/media/inthemedia.cfm

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