Top Story
| Living and Learning at the First Annual Antiracist Book Festival |
| Library Journal covered the first annual National Antiracist Book Festival held at American University. The outlet reported on a number of the fest's informative and educational panels. “What does it mean to be an antiracist? How can one strive toward social justice? These were a couple of the questions that were asked and answered,” the author wrote. (5/1) |
Additional Feature
| American University's Food Pantry Fights Hunger on Campus |
| Street Sense featured a story about AU's food pantry, The Market, and how it helps address food insecurity on campus. Tony Hollinger, director of Military-affiliate Support & Special Initiatives at AU, described it as highly effective based on the feedback from students. “We need to increase the awareness of it, to make sure that everyone who might need it knows it's here as a resource,” he said. This article is available in print only. (5/1) |
Faculty Authors
| Northern Ireland's Peace Was Already in Trouble. Brexit Is Making Things Harder to Fix. |
| Kimberly Cowell-Meyers, assistant professor of public affairs, and Carolyn Gallaher, professor in the School of International Service, co-wrote an article for The Washington Post about Brexit's effect on peace in Northern Ireland. Cowell-Meyers and Gallaher wrote, “Whatever happens with Brexit, it has already weakened the 1998 Good Friday Agreement's institutional fixes that led to paramilitaries dropping their arms.” (5/1) |
| Gentrification Is Erasing Black Cemeteries and, With It, Black History |
| Director of Advocacy and Partnerships for the Antiracist Research and Policy Center Chris Petrella wrote an opinion article for The Guardian about the risks black cemeteries face from gentrification. Petrella wrote, “If black lives are to matter in life, they also must matter after life.” (4/27) |
| Here We Go Again: Another Obama-Biden Flimflam |
| Richard Benedetto, adjunct professorial lecturer of communication, wrote an article for The Hill about Joe Biden's statement that he had asked President Obama not to endorse him. Benedetto wrote, “It raises questions as to why Obama has reservations about giving [Biden] his seal of approval.” (4/30) |
News Brief
| How to Say Goodbye to Your Favorite Characters |
| Kogod School of Business Associate Professor Cristel Russell's research was cited in a Thought Catalog article about the emotional reaction of some fans in response to Avengers: Endgame. The author wrote, “One study by American University found that the pain we feel over a character's demise is similar to what we feel when mourning the death of a loved one.” This article contains Endgame spoilers. (5/1) |
Expertise
| The Most Powerful Part of the New AOC Documentary Is Watching Ocasio-Cortez Doubt Herself |
| Executive Director of the Women & Politics Institute Bestsy Fischer Martin spoke to The Lily, a Washington Post vertical, about the rising trend of public vulnerability from female candidates and politicians. Fischer Martin said, “You're seeing more and more women, like AOC, willing to humanize themselves and let people in on what it's really like to run for office, and be in office.” (5/1) |
| Scientific Racism: A Brief History of the Enduring Phony Science That Perpetuates White Supremacy |
| Ibram X. Kendi, director of the Antirascist Research & Policy Center, spoke to The Washington Post about how pseudo-science has perpetuated white supremacy. Kendi said, “What black inferiority meant has changed in every generation… but ultimately Americans have been making the same case.” Kendi also spoke to Washington Post's Power Post and Al Jazeera English about contemporary violent extremism. (4/30) |
| Trump Seeks to Swing Traditionally Democratic Jewish Vote |
| Alan Kraut, professor of history, spoke to Voice of America about President Trump's attempt to woo Jewish voters. Kraut said, “If I were a betting man, I would say that if Biden is the candidate of the Democratic Party, the Jews are going to flock to him.” (4/27) |
| Biden Surges Into Lead in Democratic Primary Race |
| William Sweeney, distinguished practitioner of public affairs, spoke to Voice of America about former Vice President Joe Biden's strong start in the Democratic race. Sweeney said, “We have the most diverse field in the history of the country, and Democratic voters have a great deal to choose from.” (4/30) |
| Chasten Buttigieg Emerges as Mayor Pete's Secret Weapon |
| The Hill spoke to David Barker, professor of public affairs, about how Pete Buttigieg's spouse has emerged as a secret weapon on the campaign trail. Barker said, “It reminds Democratic primary voters that [Buttigieg] is gay, which is a plus. It helps distinguish him from other white males in the race.” Barker also spoke to The Christian Science Monitor about Attorney General Barr's refusal to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. (4/27, 5/2) |
| Remembering John Singleton |
| School of Communication Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Russell Williams spoke to WUSA-9 about the life and career of John Singleton. Williams said, “He gave so many people behind the camera, and in front of the camera, opportunities to work… and most of all of these careers have blossomed.” (4/30) |
Bonus Clip
| Green Living: Eco-Friendly Education |
| USA Today featured American University in the April 2019 Green Living magazine in an article about U.S. college and universities leading the way in sustainability. The article discussed several of AU's initiatives, including sourcing electricity from renewable resources, and planting 650 trees across D.C. to offset carbon emissions. |
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