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CSUSB political science lecturer discusses Trump’s appeal to Southern California voters despite attacks on the state
Spectrum 1 News (Los Angeles)
Feb. 4, 2020
Corey Gustafson, a member of CSUSB’s political science faculty, was part of a panel offering analysis of President Donald Trump’s Feb. 4 State of the Union address. He was asked to comment on why, despite the president’s attacks on California, he was able to raise more than $12 million in campaign contributions in the state.
While the Democrats were able to take seats in traditionally Republican Orange County, “preaching jobs, staying on message talking about health care, these are the things that register with voters,” Gustafson said. Likewise, political discipline by either party to stay on that message and execute it through legislation is important, he said.
Where the Democrats appeared to have failed in Orange County is that they abandoned their message in favor of impeaching the president, Gustafson said.
The segment can be viewed on the Spectrum 1 News Twitter feed.
CSUSB professor discusses how harmful stereotypes and racism are spreading through coronavirus rumors
TRT News World Now (Turkey)
Feb. 4, 2020
The Turkish public broadcast service aired a segment with Brian Levin, director of Cal State San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, who discussed how harmful stereotypes and racism are spreading through rumors of the coronavirus, especially on social media.
Levin discussed how prejudice – and attitude –is formed. It consists of three parts, he said, how people perceive the outside world (through news reports, or direct experience, for example); how people respond emotionally; and how people actually respond “in the real world.”
“And what we are also seeing is not just prejudice against Asian people … but also we’re seeing conspiracy theories from people here in the United States saying ‘drink bleach,’ which is about the stupidest thing you can do to combat this virus,” Levin said. “In this social media-connected world, we’re seeing lies go around the world a lot quicker, and there is actually research on this, than actual truth.”
He said people should get the best and latest information available to dispel rumors. Community and political leaders also need to not just combat the prejudice stemming from such rumors, Levin said, but also “promote facts and to not undermine the communal institutions of our various democracies.”
Watch the segment at “Coronavirus outbreak: Interview with Brian Levin, Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.”
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