Top Story Additional Feature Faculty Author Expertise
AU Newsmakers 2.8-2.15, 2019
Top Story
AU Experts Comment on Recent Blackface Controversy
Ibram X. Kendi, director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center, spoke to USA Today about the prevalence of blackface in America. Kendi said, “People are not trained to diagnose their own racism. People are only trained to deny their own racism.” Kendi also spoke to Vox and Al Jazeera about racism in America and blackface and wrote a column for The Atlantic suggesting books to educate oneself on racism. David Lublin, professor of public affairs, spoke to WJLA about the political crisis in Virginia and Sybil Roberts Williams, director of the African American and African Diaspora Studies program, discussed on NBC4 the history of blackface. (2/8, 2/9, 2/10)

Additional Feature
UNT Names This Year's $10,000 Rilke Poetry Prize-Winner
David Keplinger, professor in the Department of Literature, was named this year's recipient of the University of North Texas's Rilke Prize for poetry. KERA-FM's Art&Seek reported that Keplinger won the award for his most recent collection of poems, “Another City,” which was one of 200 books entered into the competition.

Faculty Author
To End the HIV Epidemic, Addressing Poverty and Inequities One of Most Important Treatments
Maria De Jesus, associate professor in the School of International Service, wrote an article for The Conversation about the role that social inequity plays in driving the HIV epidemic. De Jesus wrote, “To fight HIV, we need to address poverty and social inequity.” The article appeared in 10 media outlets, including The Advocate Online. (2/14)

Expertise
Trump Gave the Military Freer Rein for Offensive Hacking. Security Experts Say That's a Good Idea.
Melanie Teplinsky, professor at the Washington College of Law, spoke to The Washington Post about the Trump administration's efforts to make it easier for the military to carry out offensive hacking. Teplinsky said, “Before cyber striking, it is important to properly vet any proposed strike to ensure it is a net ‘win' for the nation.” (2/11)
Top Leader at Interior Dept. Pushes a Policy Favoring His Former Client
Distinguished Professor of Government James Thurber spoke to The New York Times about allegations that David Berhnardt, President Trump's nominee to lead the Interior Department, is using his position to benefit clients he lobbied for. Thurber said, “This is a clear case of violating the ethics code, and a clear conflict of interest.” (2/12)
Fearing Socialism at Home, Trump Takes a Cold War Stance Abroad
William LeoGrande, professor of public affairs, spoke to CNN about the Trump administration's policies towards Venezuela. LeoGrande said, “Latin Americans have always had this strong anti-intervention principle, partly because of the history of U.S. interventions in Latin America.” The Washington Post's PowerPost cited LeoGrande's analysis. (2/9, 2/12)
Congress, White House Battle Over Report on Saudi Crown Prince's Role in Khashoggi Murder
Jordan Tama, associate professor in the School of International Service, spoke to ABC News Radio about bipartisan efforts to push the Trump administration to examine the Saudi Arabian crown prince's role in the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Tama said, “A simple reading of the law would show that there's no wiggle room here given to the executive branch, to the president in terms of whether to provide the report that was requested by Congress.” The interview appeared in 21 media outlets. (2/13)
Why 2020 U.S. Presidential Race Will Be Costliest in History
Professor of Public Affairs Candice Nelson spoke to Voice of America about the cost of running for president in the United States. Nelson said, “2020 will be the most expensive presidential race ever.” (2/14)
Another Shutdown Could Mean the Most Troubled Tax Season in Recent History
Caroline Bruckner, managing director of the Kogod Tax Policy Center, spoke to Bloomberg BNN about the effect of the shutdown, and the threat that another one could have on tax season. Bruckner discussed how there could be serious consequences for low-income tax payers. (2/12)
Teachers Pursue Public Policy Degrees to Better Advocate for Their Students
Jennifer Steele, associate professor of education, spoke to Insight Into Diversity about the trend of educators pursuing degrees in public policy or entering politics. Steele said, “There's a huge interest in education policy among teachers.” (2/11)
Democrats on Defensive as Members Face Anti-Semitism Accusations Over Tweets
Capri Cafaro, executive-in-residence in the School of Public Affairs, spoke to Sinclair Broadcast Group about criticism of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar for anti-Semitic tweets. Cafaro said, “Until and unless she is removed from committees, I don't think this is the last we'll be hearing of this.” The interview appeared in 36 affiliated media outlets, including WJLA. (2/12)
Human Rights Groups Chastise Facebook for Lack of Ad Transparency
Aram Sinnreich, associate professor in the School of Communication, spoke with Inside Sources about Facebook and transparency in political advertising. Sinnreich said, “Obviously the everyday user is not going to know how to use an API (application programming interface) and search for political malfeasance.” (2/14)



''Online, consumer'' news refers to online news outlets and blogs such as HuffingtonPost, NY Times
"Online, consumer" news refers to online news outlets and blogs such as HuffingtonPost, NY Times
Both charts are based on the week's Newsmakers highlights only, not total AU mentions for the week
Both charts are based on the week's Newsmakers highlights only, not total AU mentions for the week

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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