A&S in the News: January 17-23, 2021

American Politics

Trump and the mainstreaming of racism in American politics: OUP Blog – Jan. 18

The mob that ransacked the Capitol at President Donald Trump’s behest on January 6th brought together various sorts of extremists deeply committed to sustaining Trump’s presidency by any means possible, including violence if necessary… Richard C. Fording is Marilyn Williams Elmore and John Durr Elmore Endowed Professor of Political Science at The University of Alabama.

Judge John H. England

Longtime Tuscaloosa County Judge John H. England Jr. retires: WVUA – Jan. 18

Longtime Tuscaloosa County Judge John H. England Jr. is retiring after 28 years of service. England was the first African American to hold a county-wide political office when Gov. Jim Folsom appointed him to the Tuscaloosa County circuit court in 1993. In 2019, The University of Alabama campus named a dorm in England’s honor. His last official day serving as Tuscaloosa County circuit court judge is today.

“1776 Report”

‘A hack job,’ ‘outright lies’: Trump commission’s ‘1776 Report’ outrages historians: Washington Post – Jan. 19

Hilary Green, a history professor at The University of Alabama, tweeted a list of books on American history people could read “instead of a certain report.”
The Telegraph

Election Fraud Allegations

There was no election fraud: Al.com – Jan. 20

The violent mob that invaded the U.S. Capitol and killed a police officer was misled. 81 million eligible and qualified voters chose Joe Biden, while 74 million chose Donald Trump… Joseph Smith is associate professor of political science at The University of Alabama. The views expressed here are his own, and do not represent The University of Alabama.

Biden’s First Days

UA political science professor gives insight on President Biden’s first days in office: WVUA – Jan. 20

Dr. Allen Linken, political science professor at The University of Alabama, believes President Biden will keep momentum from the election going into his presidency. “There’s a lot of compromise to do. It Doesn’t mean President Biden can do whatever he wants, but I can imagine he will be rolling out a number of projects in the first 100 days.”

Tuscaloosa Mayoral Race

Tuscaloosa mayor’s race gets third candidate as qualifying nears end: Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 22

As qualifying for Tuscaloosa’s municipal elections draws to a close, a third candidate has emerged seeking the mayoral seat. Serena Fortenberry is a University of Alabama professor who became active in local politics in 2017, when she publicly opposed a rezoning that would have allowed a fast- food restaurant to open just blocks from her west Tuscaloosa home. Now, she has gone from concerned resident to just the third woman to launch a concerted bid for the Tuscaloosa mayor’s seat since the 1970s.