Diversity

Sports and Racial Justice in America

by Anthony W. Orlando

To some, it represents the highest ideals of our society. To others, it is a symbol of unfulfilled potential at best, outright oppression at worst. Are we referring to the American flag? Or to American sports? This debate is about more than one athlete or one gesture. It is about an institution, a system of competition, dominance, and deeply ingrained beliefs. In this episode, we examine this balance of power—and the protestors who are trying to change it.

In front of a live audience at the USC Gould School of Law, Prof. Jody David Armour interviews ESPN writer Jason Reid about Colin Kaepernick, political activism, and being black in America.

Special thanks to the USC Gould School of Law for sponsoring this event and allowing us to record as part of this ongoing series of conversations bringing you the smartest minds from the University of Southern California and beyond, wrestling with the defining challenges of our time

To listen to this episode of Our American Discourse, click the arrow in the Soundcloud player here. Or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

How to Stop Feeling Marginalized and Start Engaging in Politics

by Anthony W. Orlando

You may think politics isn’t for you. It’s for the elites. It’s for the rich and powerful. It isn’t for people who look like you or talk like you or live like you. Well, that may be the world we’ve constructed, but it’s not inevitable. You deserve better.

Still not convinced? Good! This episode is for you! Learn how you can become a part of the solution.

In this episode, inspirational speaker and social work professor Melissa Bird knocks down the misconceptions that marginalize us and replaces them with the attitude we need to take on the injustices in our nation today.

To listen to this episode of Our American Discourse, click the arrow in the Soundcloud player here. Or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

Ghost in the Shell

by Aubrey Hicks, Jonathan Schwartz

Our third episode of the Price Projection Room features a discussion of the sci-fi film Ghost in the Shell directed by Rupert Sanders, based on the famous Japanese Manga written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow.

The film has also sparked controversy on its casting choices, with many critics claiming another instance of Hollywood whitewashing due to film’s Japanese origin. We discuss the nature of remakes, the whitewashing controversy, whether the film adds to the Ghost world, and Scarlett Johansson – is Ghost in the Shell the perfect conversation starter for the cultural moment?

To listen to the Price Projection Room discussion of Ghost in the Shell click the orange arrow in the Soundcloud player on this post. Or download and subscribe through iTunes, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

USC Price convenes LA County’s seven female police chiefs, who share personal, career insights

by Matthew Kredell

For the first time in its 167-year history, Los Angeles County has seven female police chiefs leading local law enforcement agencies. The USC Price School of Public Policy brought together all seven police chiefs on March 15 for a special discussion titled, “When Women Lead: Breaking Barriers, Building Communities.”

Get Out

by Aubrey Hicks, Jonathan Schwartz

Warning: *spoilers!*

Get Out follows a young African-American photographer on a visit to his white girlfriend’s parents’ home. The tag line sums up the deep horror of the film, “Just because you’re invited, doesn’t mean you’re welcome.” The film is funny, scary, and has sparked conversations (and even a viral challenge) throughout the country.

To listen to the Price Projection Room discussion of Get Out click the orange arrow in the Soundcloud player on this post. Or you can download it and subscribe through iTunes, Soundcloud, or Google Play.

Graddy-Reed at 2016 APPAM Fall Research, Conference The Role of Research in Making Government More Effective

by Bedrosian Center

Bedrosian Faculty Affiliate, Alexandra Graddy-Reed presented at the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) 2016 Fall Research Conference. APPAM is “dedicated to improving public policy and management by fostering excellence in research, analysis, and education.” Dr. Graddy-Reed’s paper presentation for the Building and Diversifying the STEM Workforce panel was titled “It’s an Honor Just to be Nominated: The…

ARTBOUND, Participatory Cultural Journalism, & SoCal’s Creative Spirit

by Brettany Shannon

Our 1st episode is live! Listen now …

What can transmedia participatory cultural journalism tell us about LA’s arts and culture, and the city?

Artbound’s Juan Devis explains: a lot.

Healthcare diversity program aims to educate, inspire future leaders

by Matthew Kredell

This summer, a group of students spent a day volunteering to cook lunch and sort clothes at the Downtown Women’s Center, an organization dedicated helping women overcome poverty and homelessness. The service activity helped them gain “a sense of the social determinants of health,” according to USC Price School of Public Policy Professor LaVonna Lewis,…

Meet the man who orchestrated Detroit’s astonishing revival

by Matthew Kredell

As emergency manager of the City of Detroit from March 2013 to December of 2014, Orr oversaw the largest and most complicated municipal bankruptcy proceeding in the nation’s history. He helped the city restructure $18 billion in debt, reduce overall debt by $7 billion, as well as implement a $1.7 billion revitalization plan for city services.

Raphael Bostic, director of the USC Bedrosian Center who led the discussion with Orr, noted that many cities – including Los Angeles – should heed the warning and example set by Detroit.