Episode 175: Stephen Miller and DHS, Measles and the Anti-Vaccination Movement, and Adjunct Professors

Past Present

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the influence of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, the resurgence of measles in the United States and the anti-vaccination movement, and the plight of adjunct professors.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• A spate of departures at the Department of Homeland Security has brought attention to stalwart Trump hardliner Stephen Miller. Natalia cited this Atlantic profile of Miller, as well as her own book, Classroom Wars, which focuses on the California school system in which Miller formed his worldview. Niki cited Adam Serwer’s Atlantic article, “The Cruelty is the Point.”
• Measles, once thought to be eradicated in the United States, is back thanks in part to a robust anti-vaccination movement. Natalia mentioned this press release from the Anti-Defamation League, and Niki cited this study sympathetic to the anti-vaccine cause.
• Adam Harris’ Atlantic article about the death of historian Thea Hunter has invigorated conversation about the adversity facing adjunct professors. Niki referred to this article at the American Prospect about the unionization of adjuncts.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Rosa Lyster’s Outline article, “Listen Up, Bitches, It’s Time to learn Incorrect Things About Someone You’ve Never Heard Of.”
• Neil discussed the White House’s screening of the anti-abortion film Gosnell.
• Niki shared Ben Guarino’s Washington Post article, “Algorithms Gave Us the Black Hole Picture. She’s the 29-year-old Scientist Who Helped Create Them.”