A&S in the News: January 14-20, 2018

T.R.M. Howard

On Martin Luther King’s birthday, remember also T.R.M. HowardWashington Examiner – Jan. 15

As we mark Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday on Jan. 15, we should acknowledge the unsung contributions of earlier activists. Few deserve recognition more, or have received less, than Dr. T.R.M. Howard. (David T. Beito is a professor of history at The University of Alabama and Research Fellow at the Independent Institute.)

Neuroscience Discovery

Researcher implores government to fill neuroscience discovery gapLife Science Daily – Jan. 15

A University of Alabama researcher is urging the government to fill the neuroscience discovery and early clinical development void, in the wake of a drug company recently withdrawing its resources. “The announcement by Pfizer to end its neuroscience discovery and early development efforts and re-allocate spending is part of a disappointing trend where drug companies are increasingly risk averse in their research investments,” Guy Caldwell, a University of Alabama Distinguished Research professor in biological sciences, said.

Caroline Japal

Meet woman on the rise & Birmingham-based photographer, Caroline JapalFreelancer Magazine – Jan. 15

By way of Birmingham, Alabama, Caroline Japal is a thriving photographer who has been in the visual arts game since she was 14 years old, professionally since she was 17. Ever since she can remember, art has been a true passion of Japal’s, which is why she was always in art classes throughout her adolescent years. When she isn’t killing it behind the lens, you can catch Caroline on campus at The University of Alabama, painting, which is her secondary concentration is college, or working on her online publication, Art Concept Magazine.

Donald Trump

Is Donald Trump the President of the “Alternative Right?”SHZ (Germany) – Jan. 15

Political scientist George Hawley studies the extreme right in the United States at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. His book Making Sense of the Old Right, published by Columbia Press, traces the story of a spongy terminology. He has met many of the people who set the tone in “Alt-Right” today. In the interview with our correspondent Thomas J. Spang, he attempts to delineate “Trumpism”.

Anna Calhoun

Crimsonettes from Chilton County enjoy performing during championshipClanton Advertiser – Jan. 17

Performing as a Crimsonette in The University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band had been a dream for Chilton County High School graduate Anna Calhoun since her first year of high school. After making the team last fall, Calhoun, along with fellow Chilton County native Avery Wyatt, was able to perform during the Crimson Tide’s 2017 – 2018 Championship run and the Championship game itself.

Geek Pop Culture

How the Alt-right and nostalgic trolls hijacked geek pop cultureSyfy.com – Jan. 17

In the days after the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Luke Skywalker found himself facing down adversaries here on Earth, wielding a rhetorical lightsaber against a group seen by many as this galaxy’s new Dark Side … “My guess is that many followers of racist movements in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s also enjoyed pop music, Star Wars, and other kinds of popular entertainment,” says George Hawley, an assistant professor of political science at The University of Alabama and author of “Making Sense of the Alt-Right.”

Silicon Valley

George Hawley
Dr. George Hawley

‘Alt-right’ escalates war against Silicon Valley, pledges to expose bias against conservativesUSA Today – Jan. 18

Far-right conservatives are escalating their campaign against Silicon Valley with a new series of volleys against the social media gatekeepers that control the flow of information in the digital age … An effort by the alt-right to create an alternative ecosystem of Internet companies has met with limited success, says George Hawley, a University of Alabama professor and author of Making Sense of the Alt-Right. “Tech companies that deny the alt-right access to their services can cause the movement serious harm,” Hawley said.
Indianapolis Star (Indiana) – Jan. 18
Las Cruces Sun-News (New Mexico) – Jan. 18
NorthJersey.com – Jan. 18
Jackson Sun (Tennessee) – Jan. 18
Newark Advocate (New Jersey) – Jan. 18
Farmers’ Advance – Jan. 18
Current Argus (Carlsbad, New Mexico) – Jan. 18
Hattiesburg American (Mississippi) – Jan. 18
Ithaca Journal (New York) – Jan. 18
Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville, Tennessee) – Jan. 18
Independent Mail (South Carolina) – Jan. 18
Cincinnati.com – Jan. 18
Citizen Times (Asheville, North Carolina) – Jan. 18
The Californian – Jan. 18
News Leader (Staunton, Virginia) – Jan. 18

Bomb Cyclone

Bala Cynwyd Middle School teacher guides town through winter stormsMainline Median News – Jan. 18

Despite it only being January, this winter had already proven it was a force to be reckoned with. Through record lows, ice and snowstorms, one township in Pennsylvania waited on word from an unlikely source – a middle school teacher for gifted students. This winter has been particularly harsh because the eastern third of the United States had experienced temperatures 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit below average, said Dr. David Keellings, who researches climatology at The University of Alabama. During the first week of January, the east coast was hit by a dramatic winter storm, dubbed a “bomb cyclone.”

Music Festival

OTM Festival of Sacred Music marks 10th yearHoover Sun – Jan. 19

On Feb. 11, Riverchase United Methodist Church will welcome the 10th annual Over the Mountain Festival of Sacred Music for their show, “An Unclouded Day.” … Dr. Andrew Minear, director of choral activities at The University of Alabama, will be the clinician for the 2018 performance, as well.

Doug Jones

Doug Jones ‘politically prudent’ in backing GOP funding plan, pundits say

Al.com – Jan. 20

Doug Jones split from his Democratic colleagues on Friday to vote for a continuing resolution backed by Republicans, in a move that political observers believe was “politically prudent.” … “As a political realist, I think his vote with the GOP was a smart move,” said William Stewart, professor emeritus of political sciences at The University of Alabama. “If he hadn’t, he would have been savagely attacked for letting the government shut down with ‘dire’ consequences for many Alabama citizens.”