Modified Chat Transcript “Presidential Firsts”
moderator(C) Good afternoon and welcome to Diverse: Issues In Higher Education’s “Presidential Firsts” Web Chat. Today, our expert panelists will offer careful analysis on a number of diversity issues related to the presidential race. Our conversation will converge around a few major themes: Is America really ready for a woman or Black president? What type of vice presidential candidate would each need to emerge victorious? Is there any credence to the notion that Hispanics won’t support a Black presidential candidate
because of the purported riff between Blacks and Hispanics?
Joining us we have: Dr. Ricardo Ramirez is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and the Program in American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. His research interests include state and local politics, political behavior, and the politics of race and ethnicity, especially as they relate to participation, mobilization, and political incorporation. He is coeditor of Transforming Politics, Transforming America: The Political and Civic Incorporation of Immigrants in the United States.
Dr. Desiree S. Pedescleaux is dean of Undergraduate Studies at Spelman College and an associate professor in political science. She is the co-author of The Color of School Reform that received the 2000 Best Book Award from the Urban Section of the American Political Science Review. Pedescleaux’s research interests include urban politics, with particular emphasis on large cities. Currently, she is completing a book with colleagues on the politics of urban education reform.
Dr. Todd Shaw is an assistant professor in University of South Carolina’s Department of Political Science and African-American Studies Program. He researches and teaches broadly in the areas of African American politics, urban politics and public policy and social movements. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Now Is The Time!: Detroit Black Politics and Opportunities for Grassroots Activism.
Dr. Valerie Martinez-Ebers is an associate professor in Texas Christian University’s Department of Political Science and the president of the Western Political Science Association. The former co-president of the Race, Ethnicity and Politics Section of the American Political Science Association, Martinez teaches courses in race, ethnicity and politics, Latino politics, public policy, research methods, and civil liberties and political tolerance. Her forthcoming book with UT Press is entitled, Politicas: Latina Trailblazers in the Texas Political Arena. Dr.
