In Service of Humanity

“I can’t breathe.” Those were George Floyd’s final words before he was murdered by police in Minneapolis — just outside a store known as the best place to buy menthol cigarettes. 

Today’s rise in Black deaths, cries of “I can’t breathe,” and the menthol cigarette can all be linked to a long history of race and exploitation. This is revealed in a new book by historian Keith Wailoo: “Pushing Cool,” which pulls back the curtain on the hidden persuaders who shaped menthol buying habits and racial markets across America.

Wailoo is the Henry Putnam University Professor of History and Public Affairs. He has produced award-winning research and teaches on a range of topics, including drugs and drug policy; race, science, and health; and health policy and medical affairs in the U.S.

President Joe Biden confirmed the final withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan just 11 days shy of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Now, Afghanistan remains in turmoil following a takeover by Taliban forces.The melancholy moment has thrust into focus the past 20 years, as experts comment on how the U.S. could’ve done better. Yet, much of what transpired in the past two decades is entangled in international law, a subject detailed in a new edited volume published by Kim Lane Scheppele of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.In this episode, Kim discusses the findings from book, “9/11 and the Rise of Global Anti-Terrorism Law,” and its implications for Afghanistan. An expert on constitutional and international law, Kim is the Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Sociology and International Affairs.

Maribel Hernández Rivera MPA ’10 came to the United States, undocumented from Mexico, when she was 13 years old. Since then, she’s dedicated her life to immigration law and policy. Today, she is district director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). She previously served as executive director of legal initiatives for the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and as a supervising attorney at Immigrant Justice Corps.She received her J.D. from New York University School of Law, her Master in Public Affairs from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA, which was then the Woodrow Wilson School), and her A.B. from Harvard University. Upon law school graduation, she served as law clerk to the Hon. Mary M. Schroeder in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.#Changemakers is a podcast series featuring the many Princeton SPIA alumni who built up their policy toolkits at Princeton and went on to change their communities. The show is produced, hosted, and edited by B. Rose Huber, communications manager, and senior writer at SPIA.

As the president and founder of the Harwood Institute of Public Innovation, Rich Harwood MPA '84, is passionate about seeing communities do their best. The Harwood Institute’s mission is to empower communities with the tools to bridge divides, build capacity, and tackle shared challenges. His newest book, "Unleashed: A Proven Way Communities Can Spread Change and Make Hope Real for All,” focuses on promoting civic culture and creating positive, lasting impacts. In this episode, Rich discusses what makes for an effective leader and how Princeton SPIA influenced his career. #Changemakers is a podcast series featuring the many Princeton SPIA alumni who built up their policy toolkits at Princeton and went on to change their communities. The show is produced, hosted, and edited by B. Rose Huber, communications manager and senior writer at SPIA.

Evan Draim '16 is a current student at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School. After graduating from Princeton University in 2016, Evan moved to northern Virginia and accepted a job at Service Source, a nonprofit that provides job employment opportunities to people with disabilities. In this episode, he discusses his journey to law school, his future as a Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) officer in the United States Navy, and his time at SPIA as an undergraduate student. #Changemakers is a podcast series featuring the many Princeton SPIA alumni who built up their policy toolkits at Princeton and went on to change their communities. The show is produced, hosted, and edited by B. Rose Huber, communications manager and senior writer at SPIA.Show notes:Evan's article on social security: https://www.milkenreview.org/articles/saving-social-security-from-itself

For Martín E. De Simone MPA ’18, growing up during the Argentinian economic crisis of 2001 shaped his desire to work in public policy. Today, he’s an education specialist for the World Bank in the Western and Central Africa region and credits the Princeton SPIA for preparing him for the role. He discusses his journey from Argentina to the United States and elsewhere in this episode.#Changemakers is a podcast series featuring the many Princeton SPIA alumni who built up their policy toolkits at Princeton and went on to change their communities. The show is produced, hosted, and edited by B. Rose Huber, communications manager and senior writer at SPIA.

Yasmin Elhady MPP ’15 is an attorney, public policy specialist, and stand-up comedian. She’s performed all over Washington, D.C., including at The Kennedy Center and The DC Improv, and she’s toured nationally and internationally in the United Kingdom. Her alter ego is “Yasguru,” a hyperactive relationship advisor with silly videos on YouTube and Instagram. In this episode, she discusses how September 11 and being a Muslim immigrant shaped her career path to public service, and how a talent show at SPIA helped her start her stand-up career. #Changemakers is a podcast series featuring the many Princeton SPIA alumni who built up their policy toolkits at Princeton and went on to change their communities. The show is produced, hosted, and edited by B. Rose Huber, communications manager and senior writer at SPIA.Check out her website: https://www.yasguru.com/Her Instagram: https://instagram.com/yasguruHer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCURpYI86UnAFDzoEAJ4FjXQ