1) Tell us a little about your research.
My research looks at the presence and characteristics of intragroup inequality in social justice movements. Specifically, I investigate the nature of male bias in black anti-racist movements and how it impacts the types of issues that movement leaders think are important. I also conduct research on race, gender, and media effects. I examine the ways that rap music consumption is related to black youth's gender attitudes and sexual risk as well as the ways that it is related to white youth's endorsement of anti-racist policies and attitudes.
2) What do you find most interesting in your research findings?
In my intragroup inequality research, the most interesting thing by far is the extent to which leaders of black movements use the language of intersectionality to describe black women's experiences. This is the opposite of what black feminist thinkers have historically argued. However, their use of this language does not negate the fact that they still view racism as the primary category of oppression; a view that is always challenged in intersectionality theory.
In the media effects research, the studies are still ongoing. However, the most interesting thing thus far is the data set. I am conducting a secondary data analysis using the Black Youth Culture data set. It is the first nationally representative data set of Black, Latino, White, and Asian youth ages 15-25 and one of the first to ask multiple questions about both gender attitudes and rap music consumption. Historically, research into media, black youth, gender, and sexual risk has been hampered by small, non-representative samples who were asked questions about media products featuring whites. This data set allows us to re-examine these attitudes using culturally relevant media.
3) What do you love most about teaching at SIUE?
I love working with my senior assignment students. In general, I am most passionate about teaching statistics and research methods, so I really enjoy being able to focus that passion in one-on-one settings and support our students as they finish their degrees. Not to mention that they also have really insightful research questions. I've worked with students who are interested in racial discrimination at SIUE, the correlates of sports fandom/fanaticism, education policy and college retention, and Instagram and beauty norms for women (to name of few). This semester, my students are working on really exciting projects: racial discrimination in queer organizations, racialized reporting of mass violence, and cultural attitudes toward interracial dating.
4) Do you have any hobbies that keep you busy when you’re not working?
I am a huge sports nerd. I was born and raised in the Bronzeville area of Chicago, so I have been a White Sox fan and a Bulls fan since birth. My DVR is filled with shows featuring sports opinion and analytics. For my Chicago fix, I watch Sports Talk Live and my favorite national ESPN shows are Highly Questionable, First Take, and His and Hers. Recently, I have been following Serena Williams' historic path to becoming the greatest female player in tennis history. As such, I have developed a new interest in watching (and eventually playing tennis).
5) What’s your favorite restaurant in the St. Louis area?
I don't get over to St. Louis much. However, Cleveland Heath, Gulf Shores, and Social Gastropub are my Edwardsville favorites.
6) We know you’re from Chicago, which pizza do you like better? Chicago or St. Louis style?
Easily, Chicago style. Chicago stuffed pizza is its own food group. I've been to a couple of local pizzerias that have a "Chicago style" on their menu, but it's not close. Good pizza, but not true Chicago style.
7) Anything else we should know about you?
Other than sports, cooking really tough dishes is one of my hobbies. Often, if I go to a restaurant and enjoy a meal, I will go home, search for the most authentic recipe online and try to make it. I tend to do a good job. Most recently, I've been making pad thai at home. My next big project (thanks to my favorite chef show, Top Chef) is to make an entremet, a multi-layered french cake. The difficulty level is high because it calls for multiple pastry techniques (mousse, sponge cake, crisp wafers, cremeux pudding, fruit glaze). I'll wait for Spring Break to try that one! Ironically, the one recipe where I consistently fail? Chicago style pizza! Apparently, I can't duplicate it either.
