Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In June 2008, the Irish public rejected the EU Constitution in Europe’s only referendum on the document. The purpose of this paper is to examine the official one-month pre-referendum period in order to better understand the debate on both sides and discuss its impact on Irish relations with the EU. Why did the “no” side prevail during the referendum despite a massive government campaign to persuade voters to support the EU Constitution? The paper will examine the arguments of both sides through a discussion of their positions. The pro-constitution position will be evaluated based on the arguments of the government, political parties, and other organizations in support of closer European integration while the anti-constitution side will be evaluated from the arguments of the political parties and groups opposed to Ireland’s participation in a strengthened EU. I visited Ireland for two weeks in May 2008 to observe the pre-referendum debate process on the EU Constitution and this paper will reflect personal observations and conversations with the Irish public as well as information from the pro and con organizations behind of the issue.

Publication Type: Invited Paper
Abstract: Not Between These Thighs will explore how a hip-hop-generation educator working with under-prepared college students and urban high school students attempts to expand and complicate their existing notions of hip hop as well as their understanding about gender politics. Specifically, how the an instructor might use the works of esteemed activist poet June Jordan and contemporary spoken word artist Sarah Jones to frame an engaging and thought-provoking discussion with students enrolled in college-level compositions classes about:

a) the relationship between the BAM and contemporary black poetry and hip hop

b) the regulation and selection of what texts are deemed offensive versus acceptable when discussing Black women and sex

c) the depiction of black women in hip hop, particularly mainstream rap,

d) the conceivable impact of these depictions on their lives and interactions with one another and

e) the avenues for obtaining or creating or presenting alternative youth voices that question or challenge these depictions and their influences

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The Commission on Safety and Abuse in America�s Prisons is a private 21-member panel co-chaired by former Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals John J. Gibbons and former U.S. Attorney General Nicholas de B. Katzenbach, and staffed by the Vera Institute of Justice.

The Commission�s report is the result of a year-long investigation that focused on four key areas: 1) conditions of confinement in adult prisons and jails that directly affect the safety, health, and well-being of prisoners and staff and the public: violence, medical and mental health care, and uses of segregation; 2) quality of and support for corrections leadership and labor; 3) oversight of and accountability for what happens in correctional institutions; and 4) strengths and weakness in our knowledge and data about incarceration.

The Commission held four public hearings where more than 100 witnesses testified, including many corrections professionals and academic researchers; reviewed the literature and data available on relevant topics; conducted prison and jail visits; and held roundtable discussions with stakeholders and experts in the field. The report contains more than 30 recommendations for correctional administrators, legislators and other government leaders, researchers, and advocates.

This panel will present the report's major findings and recommendations and open a discussion about the broad consensus reached among this diverse group of Commissioners, which included respected civic leaders with experience in the administration of justice and law enforcement; seasoned corrections professionals; advocates for the rights of prisoners; former prisoners; and members of the religious community.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: A trailblazer for women in journalism, Jane Cunningham Croly (1829-1901) wrote thousands of articles at national newspapers and magazines most prominently under the pseudonym �Jennie June� during a journalistic career that spanned more than 40 years. Though previous scholars have noted Croly�s role within the first generation of female journalists, this paper will explore how Croly�s conceptualization of gender evolved throughout her career by analyzing a sample of newspaper and magazine articles penned by Croly from 1854 until 1900.