Conversations

Fans or not, millions are watching football this season to see who is, and isn’t, protesting. But are they asking why? Shaun Anderson, professor in the College of Communication and Fine Arts, talks about sports, protest and political messages.

Although the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that some forms of race-based gerrymandering are unconstitutional, it has avoided taking a stand on partisan gerrymandering. That may change this coming October, when the court will hear a case about whether the partisan drawing of legislative boundaries in Wisconsin has gone too far.

Using a testing technique known as Environmental DNA, Demian Willette, a biology instructor in the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, and his students study fish fraud — the mislabeling of fish species — as a way of improving the traceability of fish in the food supply chain.

Marissa Montes and Emily Robinson are co-directors of Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic, which they founded in 2012 at Loyola Law School. LIJC provides free consultations and legal services and education twice a week to the immigrant community of Los Angeles at Homeboy Industries and Dolores Mission Catholic Church, as well as real-world experience in immigration law to Loyola Law School students. We spoke to them about recent developments in immigration issues in Los Angeles.

During the past several months, California’s skies have unexpectedly opened up and drenched the state with rainfall. Prof. Joseph Reichenberger discusses whether the state’s multi-year drought finally is over.

Fish fraud — species substitution — can occur anywhere in the fish supply chain: where they are hooked, processed, or even served at a restaurant in your neighborhood. Prof. Demian Willette documented mislabeling of fish in sushi in more than two dozen L.A. restaurants.

In July 1961, Helen Singleton M.A. ’85 joined the Freedom Rides and took a train trip that started in Los Angeles and ended in a Mississippi prison.

Anti-Muslim rhetoric and prejudice became a hallmark of the recent U.S. presidential election. Amir Hussain, professor of theological studies, counters myths, lies and stereotypes as he discusses the long history of Muslims in America.

Paul S. Viviano brings a wealth of experience in health administration at the highest levels in Southern California to his post as chair of the Board of Trustees at LMU.

Disparities in income and wealth were part of the stew of dissatisfaction that boiled over in the 2016 general election. Jennifer Pate, chair of the Department of Economics, talks about income distribution and why we should care about it.