[Aaus-list] a modest proposal

[Hugo Lane]

Yes, an excellent idea.  I fear though that at this point old prejudices
about Ukraine being a parochial interest, and one that naturally skews
one's view of Russia, are more a driving factor than lack of awareness of
qualified specialists.  When the booker calls Stephen Cohen, they
know they are getting a Russian perspective, and the fact that he doesn't
know Ukrainian and blames Ukraine for destroying the new utopian
Soviet Union Gorbachev was in his mind building is not their primary
concern.  No doubt the bookers are already being advised to focus the
story on east-west divide, which makes people who think differently,
however well informed, less interesting.  Sorry for my pessimism.

Best,
Hugo
.


On Sat, Mar 22, 2014 at 7:31 AM, <ajmotyl at andromeda.rutgers.edu> wrote:

> As you all know, the North American media are constantly looking for
> Ukraine experts to interview. Because so few genuine Ukraine experts are
> known to them, media outlets either go to bogus experts or to the same
> handful of genuine experts.
>
> I have a modest proposal to make to the AAUS, HURI, and CIUS. Why don't
> you all get together and compile a simple press packet with names of
> experts, areas of expertise, and contact info. Then e-mail it to all of
> us, to various listserves, and to all possible journalists. If the packet
> has these three institutions' imprimatur, it will be regarded with respect
> by the media.
>
> This has to be done quickly, but, fortunately, compiling such a packet in
> the form of a simple PDF can be done in a few hours. And remember:
> everyone who studies Ukraine--even if it's culture, literature, or
> history--knows infinitely more about Ukraine than the bogus experts. So no
> need to be modest. Help spread real knowledge about Ukraine. Dare I say
> it's our obligation as scholars?
>
> ajm
>
>
>
>
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