Faculty in Focus: Op-Eds and Essays You Should Read on Today's Topics
Highlighting opinion writing by CJS faculty, showcasing their expertise and insights.
Alisa Solomon on Arts Resistance Under Trump
In her piece for The Nation, Professor Alisa Solomon discusses Trump's influence on arts spaces, with a focus on how institutions like the Kennedy Center are being reshaped by political agendas. Solomon emphasizes the importance of maintaining artistic freedom amidst increasing censorship.
Defending Dynasties and the Power of Sports Journalism
Adjunct Professor Sean Gregory, senior sports correspondent at TIME, defended the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of Super Bowl LIX. He argued that sports dynasties, like the Chiefs, are significant moments in collective culture. Gregory currently teaches Sports Reporting alongside adjunct professor Kelly Whiteside.
Margaret Sullivan on the Importance of “Staying Tuned In”
Margaret Sullivan, Executive Director of the Newmark Center for Journalism Ethics and Security, emphasizes the importance of staying engaged with U.S. politics despite the overwhelming challenges posed by figures like Donald Trump.
Her Guardian piece argues that disengagement would offer no hope for the future of democracy.
Howard French on the Disruption of Global Order
In his recent piece for Foreign Policy, Professor Howard French highlights that Donald Trump's second term has disrupted the global order by weakening traditional alliances and reducing international cooperation.
Rita Omokha on the Fight of Young Black Activists
In a piece for Lit Hub, Adjunct Professor Rita Omokha, ‘20 M.S., reflects on the role of young Black activists in defending democracy following President Trump’s reelection.
These themes appear in her latest book, “Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America,” which examines the impact of young Black activists from the 1920s to today.
Dale Maharidge on California’s Homelessness Crisis
After nearly 20 years of reporting on this complex issue, Professor Dale Maharidge shares insights with the LA Times. “Tent cities have been normalized in California and beyond,” he writes. “Last year, a student of mine looked puzzled when I explained that homelessness of this kind hasn’t always existed. This crisis has lasted—and worsened—longer than she’s been alive. It didn’t have to.”
Want more opinions from CJS faculty?
More Faculty Takes You Can’t Miss
- Bill Grueskin revives CJR's "Laurels and Darts" column, focusing on both praise for outstanding journalism and critiques of media missteps, with an emphasis on stories from underrepresented regions and innovative storytelling.
- Michael Shapiro’s Substack “Writerland” is an “ongoing journey to finding joy in writing. Because nothing good ever came from writers punishing themselves.”
- CJR published Sam Freedman’s “Another Letter to Young Journalists,” a thought-provoking follow-up to his seminal piece from 2006, which carried the same title.