Spring 2016

Re:Views

Transatlantic Partnership: Interviews with His Excellency Andrew H. Schapiro and Michael Žantovský The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel US Elections 2016 Tento projekt vznikl za finanční podpory a taktéž nemateriální pomoci Grantu TGM Spolku absolventů a přátel Dear readers… As always, I would like to thank you all for your support Masarykovy univerzity, Filozofické fakulty MU, Katedry anglistiky a amerikanistiky FF MU, Brno Expat Centre, and I hope you shall enjoy reading Issue IV as much as ESCape, Krmítka a Plánotisku. The king is dead. we enjoyed working on it! Long live the queen! This project was realized with financial as well as non-material help and support of TGM Grants of Alumni and On behalf of the Re:Views Magazine, Friends of Masaryk University, Faculty of Arts MU, Department of English and American Studies FA MU, Brno Well, although our king did not quite die – as I am relieved Markéta Šonková Expat Centre, ESCape, Krmítko, and Plánotisk. to say – it is still an end of one era. Finally, after all those editor-in-chief years of reading about it, I can begin to imagine how the British felt when Edward VII sat on the throne after Queen Victoria. Just like them, not many of us remember anyone else but Jeff to sit on the throne of the Department Contents of English and American Studies. So to console our hearts and minds, let us all celebrate the fact that he still stays The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan as our viceroy. Vanderziel ...... 4 - 9

Back to 21st century and the simile-free language. I have The Fulbright Program ...... 10 - 15 to say that this Issue really is special. Not only because “To boldly go where all the smart we have seven new editors and a brand new workshop- people have gone before” ..... 10 - 12 like course where we produced many of these lines – The Fulbright Commission fortunately no one was harmed (Roald Dahl, you should in the Czech Republic ...... 13 - 15 Editorial staff External Contributors learn from us, we have safe working conditions!) – but most of all, because I am really proud that many people The Transatlantic Partnership Markéta Šonková, editor-in-chief Helena Brunnerová, photography working on the magazine, many of those who usually ...... 16 - 29 Anna Formánková, chief of staff Zuzana Motalová, graphic tasks do not work with us, and even those who maybe heard Interview with Michael Martina Krénová, finances and web Radka Michaláková, editor about us for the very first time, helped us produce this Žantovský ...... 18 - 21 Barbara Ocsovayová, PR & editor Tereza Pavlíková, editor & transcripts incredible issue. To all of you, I send my biggest thanks! Interview with H. E. Andrew Šárka Panochová, external staff coordinator Natália Poláková, editor H. Schapiro ...... 22 - 29 Blanka Šustrová, editor Pavel Peléšek, editor Not to steal all the thunder, it is fair to say that the Tereza Walsbergerová, editor Pavla Wernerová, PR & editor circumstances helped us too... The US presidential US Elections 2016 ...... 30 - 43 elections are always something to observe. So we observed External cooperation: Petr Čučka (photography & postproduction), Irina Matusevich (production The Candidates ...... 30 - 32 & postproduction), Audiovisual Support team E-learning Office, FA MU (production assistance), them for you. And we also asked some of those most The American Spectacle ...... 33 - 35 Pavla Nováková (editor), Tomáš Varga (editor). qualified to express their opinions and ideas on what is How to Elect a POTUS ...... 36 - 39 going on. But it is not only the US where something is Expert Section ...... 40 - 43 Katarína Gažíková, quality check happening. It seems like the British Isles are becoming Štěpán Šonka, graphic design, typesetting & composition keen on referenda. So we had a look in that too. PhDr. Kateřina Tomková, PhD, editing & course supervision Brexit ...... 44 - 55 And some of us even overcame their fear of the inquisitive Unless stated otherwise, contributions in the magazine do not necessarily express opinions of the entire editorial staff, external Student Interview ...... 56 - 57 contributors and staff, sponsors, partners and patrons, Department of English and American Studies, Faculty of Arts, or Masaryk lenses and stood in front of a camera. Three cameras, in University. Neither does the magazine wish to act as an official medium for communicating opinions of the above mentioned subjects. fact. I feel very privileged I could talk to His Excellency Authors of the particular articles and pieces are solely responsible for their content. Unless stated otherwise, the magazine does not own Andrew H. Schapiro, the US Ambassador to the Czech Letter from Abroad ...... 58 - 59 any of the pictures or photographs; their authors or owners are always credited. The magazine is a non-profit project. Republic whom I asked about Czech-American relations. Podcasts ...... 61 - 67 It is believed that usage of low-resolution images for scholarly, commentary, criticism, research, and the like purposes qualifies as fair And because there is no such thing like too many good use. news, I could ask questions on similar topic also Mr. Michael Žantovský. The result is an amalgam of ideas and Critique: Jacob Riis ...... 66 - 69 Published by experience(s) from both sides of the Atlantic – one from Re:Views Magazine, z.s. IČO: 04915984 Review ...... 70 - 73 Arne Nováka 1/1 ISSN: 2464-7306 a diplomat who formed our new democratic ties with 602 00 Brno Publication date: May 16, 2016 the USA and one from another diplomat, who nurtures Published twice a year (once per academic semester) in Brno and cultivates these ties now – and I sincerely hope you IDEAS ...... 74

Cover picture: Jeffrey A. Vanderziel by Helena Brunnerová. shall like both the articles as well as the videos. 4 The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel 5

though he did not know this yet, shape the next studies,’ and I said ’I’m not really doing anything twenty-seven years of his life. “My life has never in the States’ so I came back.” Moreover, because The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan been planned in the sense that I’m going to A, B, of the fact that his family moved around so much Vanderziel C. Yes, I’m going to A, but what happens after that when he was a child and he therefore does not have would depend on what happens with A. And so strong attachment to places, nor to people, he was I came, and what happened after is the result of able to stay long-term. “People come, people go, By Martina Krénová and Tereza Walsbergerová people move, people go away… I think that that has allowed me to stay here.” Although he is not leaving the department altogether, the fact that he is stepping down as head after 15 years I cannot imagine the sight of Dykes definitely feels like the end of an era. That is why we decided to sit down with the former Head and current on Bikes leading Prague Pride would The Expat Deputy Head of the Department of English and American Studies at Masaryk University in Brno, Jeffrey Alan go very well here, topless women on Vanderziel, find out more about his life, and take a peek at the many different sides of the man who has gone Since he came to Brno after the Revolution, the from doing the local paper delivery route in San Francisco suburbia to being in charge of one of the oldest English their hogs riding down the street, that curriculum at the department had just undergone departments in the world. would be a bit much. In the States, in a massive change from more linguistics and San Francisco, it’s normal. literature-oriented one with very little history The Pupil The Hobbit, which then prompted him to join a and culture to something more similar to the science fiction book club when he was fifteen. “I curriculum as we know it today. In his words, it pretty veraciously read everything. I had read The things that happened here.” After he went back to was not a smooth transition. “The Department had Though it may seem like he had in many ways the Lord of the Rings by the time I was sixteen probably the States in 1990, realizing his dissertation was a very turbulent period in the mid-90s when there stereotypical American childhood, it was a pretty about five or six times.” In other words, reading not going anywhere, he decided to return. “At that were serious disagreements among staff about the rough ride. While he primarily grew up in San became a way to escape his everyday life. time Don [Sparling] and Doug Dicks who was a direction of the Department. I wasn’t at the center Francisco suburbs, his family moved around a lot, Fulbright scholar at the Department at that time, of those, I was a marginal, young, new person at which meant that as a very young boy he often The Scholar said ’why don’t you come back and do American the Department, and so it wasn’t really my place.” found himself having to be the new kid at school. “I wouldn’t say I had a lot of friends or was very Although he claims to have had no literary heroes popular. Junior high school was a pretty miserable with whom he would identify in his personal life, there were a few scholars who helped mold his young mind into the academic that he is today. I pretty veraciously read everything. I “There was a teacher in junior high school that was had read The Lord of the Rings by the quite influential, Mr. Lesley, later when I went back time I was sixteen probably about five to night school, there was a woman who inspired me to take up anthropology, Betty Goerke, and or six times. then at college, in my undergraduate, there were two professors who inspired me in some respect experience for me.” Thus, instead of trying to fit in – one was Brian Fagan, who influenced me in with the jocks, the popular crowd, or the brainy the sense that he was a believer in popularisation kids, he busied himself with other things. For of scholarship and writing for non-scholarly example, he got himself the stereotypical American audiences, and the other was my thesis supervisor job of delivering the local paper. “I started off Mike Joachim, who introduced me to European with one paper which was once a week, and then archeology.” Possibly as a result of these influences, I moved on to a paper that was Monday through he then went on to do his doctorate in Central Saturday in the afternoons. After school I would and Eastern European Paleolithic Archaeology come home, wrap papers, if it was raining put them at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in plastic sleeves, and then deliver them. I probably between the years 1986 and 1991. had about a hundred papers.” More importantly, like all lonely children, he buried himself in books, Furthermore, one of the most significant points predominantly fantasy and science fiction. In his in his academic life was his Fulbright Scholarship

sixth grade he was first exposed to J. R. R. Tolkien’s stay in Czechoslovakia in 1989, which would, Photo courtesy of Helena Brunnerová 6 The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel 7

When it comes to the attitude of Czech students Furthermore – in connection with his Gay Studies encourage students to participate actively in classes, impractical and reading the same texts over and towards America, he does see a shift, but he does course – when asked about differences between he feels like it is a bit too late because of the school over became a bit tiring. “I don’t have problems not believe that the interest was any stronger back the LGBT+ communities in the Czech Republic system. “It goes back to what’s been imprinted on with students writing essays, and certainly at the then. “Students in the early 90s had an idealized and the USA, he chalks most of them up to you since primary school.” Additionally, he agrees master’s levels my students in my courses write vision of America without really knowing it, so population size in general. “In some respects the essays, but I think that the tests are more objective it was difficult when you presented them with Czech community is much less fractured than One needs to recognize, and to a fairly – they’re fair to the students. And there are essay an America that didn’t correspond with their the American community. In the United States questions in some courses, so it is not just the within the gay and lesbian community there is large degree sublimate one’s own ego knowledge or fact-based exams. And partly it is The things that have happened have much more atomization of interests and part of and recognize that the greater good of the background of what I grew up with. It is what happened, whether we believe in it is patterns of residence, part of it is economic the Department is the key element. I experienced.” issues.” He mentions the gap between the economic karma or some greater force or energy status of lesbians and gay men in relation to the The (Former) Head or whatever it is. If I went back and pattern of residence and family, which has been that going abroad might help in overcoming this changed something then I wouldn’t be narrowing for the past ten years thanks to marriage fear of standing out, albeit not every student can When it comes to being a head of a department, he where I am now – the butterfly effect – I equality. “Here the community is to a large degree go to Bristol, as many universities offer interesting has learned that it includes many responsibilities more cohesive simply because of size and also and exciting opportunities. Moreover, even if the regardless of its size. “I’ve been very fortunate believe in that very much. socialization, although you also see differences, Erasmus experience is not perfect, that does not that throughout my term as the Head the senior lesbian clubs and gay clubs, but it is not quite as change the fact that every experience is a valuable academic staff – Prof. Franková, Prof. Urbanová imaginings, just as it is difficult now when you diverse as you see in the United States.” Further one. – were always very supportive of me, and I was have students who have this vision that they get differences are in the level of visibility, or rather able to work across the various subdisciplines. The from the media and you are trying to present a the Czech refusal to stand out, and the general When enquired about the dreaded tests and quizzes problem in departments as diverse as ours is that different vision, and it doesn’t correspond with what atmosphere, which is more relaxed and less political that he seems to favor in his classes, he says that within the subdisciplines you’ll get people with they have seen or heard about America.” Relatedly, here; there are no sit-ins or picketing, or protesting when he started teaching here they did a lot of competing interests.” In other words, he understood he believes that Czech media do not offer enough outside of Parliament. “I cannot imagine the sight essays which, as the Department grew, became that linguists want and need something different diverse programmes which could help educate the of Dykes on Bikes leading Prague Pride would go public about American culture. “You don’t find very well here, topless women on their hogs riding black and Hispanic shows here, you just find the down the street, that would be a bit much. In the white shows. Dubbing is a whole other issue. Until States, in San Francisco, it’s normal.” that changes a lot of things won’t change here.” The Teacher Diversity is not the only thing he believes that Czech society perceives and processes rather Since in a previous interview with the ESCape specifically. For instance, when asked about magazine (2007) he said that in his experience what he thinks about the Czech responses to the Czech students were more passive than American American presidential race and the Donald Trump students or even other foreign students, the question phenomenon, he pointed out the Czech (and was whether that is still the case today. Apparently, Slovak) inability to take foreign experiences and not only is it still true, but it is also the case in the turn around and look through that lense at their combined studies classes, which are attended by own culture. “A lot of things I hear Donald Trump more mature and adult students. “They came in saying I hear the current Czech president echoing and they all went to sit at the back of the room, and in a slightly less vulgar language, but the core ideas I made a comment that that is not going to be the are the same there.” At the same time, he notes case, and so they moved and we talked about this a Czech and Slovak presidents do not have much little bit and there is this Czech fear of standing out. influence, whereas if Trump became president, he You don’t want to draw attention to yourself, for would have a lot of control: “I think Europeans are either reasons that you might get positive attention right to look at Trump with some caution, because that might cause jealousy among your colleagues, he is basically unpredictable, that’s the key thing, or negative attention from the teacher, that you’re

and he has power.” not a good student.” Although he does his best to Photo courtesy of Jiří Rambousek 8 The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel The Many Sides of Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel 9

from what translators, teachers or literature and which he revived last year. Fortunately, as teaching in his own words, for not socializing with students, culture people need and want, and balancing these courses that match teachers’ interests is one of the is it going to change now that he has stepped down Jeffrey Alan Venderziel, B. A. competing interests without being seen as favoring from his position at the Department? When asked Born September 21, 1960 in San Francisco, one or other can sometimes be difficult. The key My life has never been planned in the this question, he said that not socializing with California, USA to successfully running a department is then in sense that I’m going to A, B, C. Yes, I’m students is only partly because of his position at looking at broader picture and listening to others. the Department and that it is mostly because he “One needs to recognize, and to a fairly large going to A, but what happens after that knows that socializing with students minimally is Academic Qualifications: degree sublimate one’s own ego and recognize would depend on what happens with A. better for him psychologically. To put it differently, that the greater good of the Department is the key if you are expecting to become his best friend, you 1986-1991: Doctoral Studies in Anthropology element.” Furthermore, he has learned that while advantages of this Department – it has always been (Central and Eastern European Paleolithic Archaeology) University of Illinois at Urbana- delegating responsibilities and duties is important, encouraged and allowed by the Heads – the staff You don’t find black and Hispanic shows the Head always has to have a hand on everything, almost always teaches what they are interested in. Champaign because ultimately, the Head is the one taking full “There have been some staff changes over the past here, you just find the white shows. 1986: B.A. with Highest Honors in responsibility. Finally, even though running the year, and that means some people have left, and Dubbing is a whole other issue. Until Anthropology, University of California. department might be very exhausting for some so we have some gaps that would be nice to fill, that changes a lot of things won’t change Honors Thesis: „A Spatial Analysis of a Mesolithic Site on the Federsee, Bavaria, West people, he says that he has enjoyed it and has not but I think that the model that we have is a very here. found it particularly exhausting. “Teaching is in functioning model.” There are some new subjects Germany“ many ways much more exhausting than that.” or topics that he would like to see being taught here – digital humanities being one of the areas. might be disappointed. “I can imagine that I will University Activities Now that Jeff Vanderziel is stepping down, What is more, next year a Fulbright lecturer might be more social with students. But will I be very students might expect him to teach some new come here to teach a course on graphic novel, social with students? No. And this is just for my Department Deputy Head, Department of courses. For instance, he is already preparing a which he considers something pretty exceptional own psychological well-being. There have to be English and American Studies, Faculty of new one for the bachelor’s level and in the near within the framework of university studies. situations that I can control and I can get out when Arts, Masaryk University (2016-) future he will probably teach his Trickster course, Additionally, as he is famous, or “rather infamous” I want to get out.” Interestingly, he emphasizes the Department Head, Department of English Czech double-standard towards professors, which and American Studies, Faculty of Arts, is that in many respects Czech and Slovak students Masaryk University (2001-2016) often have expectations of the non-Czech staff Academic Senate, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk that they would not necessarily have of the Czech University: Member (2000-present), Chair staff. “For example, has anyone ever asked Milada (2002-2008) Franková why don’t you go out with students, why Academic Senate, Masaryk University: don’t you socialize with students? Or ask Naďa Member (2002-present), Member, Economic Kudrnáčová, why don’t you socialize?” Committee (2003-present)

A Happy Man? Extrauniversity Activities

In general, Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel has never Board Member, Fulbright Commission in the been one to look back on his life and question Czech Republic (2010-present) his choices. “The things that have happened have Board Chair, Fulbright Commission in the happened, whether we believe in karma or some Czech Republic (2013-14) greater force or energy or whatever it is. If I went Board Vice-Chair, Fulbright Commission in back and changed something then I wouldn’t be the Czech Republic (2014-15) where I am now – the butterfly effect – I believe Member, Czech and Slovak Association of in that very much.” So is he happy? No, but he is Americanists contented. Satisfied. “I’m happy… in that sense Member, Central European Association for I’m content with the choices I’ve made. Happy is Canadian Studies not a word I would use very often to describe my Member, Czech Association for English emotional state. I’m not a happy smiley person Studies Photo courtesy of Helena Brunnerová if you haven’t noticed (laughs).” 10 The Fulbright Program The Fulbright Program 11

enable them to perform research in music via programs can be seen on the website of the Bureau the Fulbright-mtvU Fellowships and to work of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Fulbright Program in foreign government ministries or institutions “To boldly go where all the smart people through the Fulbright-Clinton Fellowship. The The Mastermind have gone before” Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program is another specialized scholarship which The mind behind this project was an American senator provides opportunities for young foreign English named James William Fulbright. Born in Missouri in By Pavel Peléšek teachers to improve their teaching skills and to 1905, he decided to pursue knowledge beyond the US broaden their knowledge of American culture and territory and, after graduating from the University society, as well as to strengthen the instruction of of Arkansas, he continued to study at Oxford in An important aspect of transatlantic relations is the exchange of knowledge. One of the most effective foreign languages at universities in the US. the United Kingdom. During his stay in Europe he ways of doing this is the exchange of knowledgeable minds. The Fulbright Program does precisely this. traveled all over the continent and learnt a great deal With decades of history and thousands of participants from the ranks of both US and foreign students, Another group enjoying the Fulbright scholarship about the cooperation between the countries there. scholars, and professionals, it is one of the oldest and most renowned academic exchange programs in the are scholars. Academic faculty members can After returning from his studies abroad he broadened world. Even the Czech Republic has its own special contract with the US Government and participates in lecture and conduct research abroad and in the the Fulbright Commission. Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, the now-former head of the Department of English US thanks to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program and American Studies of Masaryk University, used this opportunity as a student and now serves as a (Americans abroad), and the Fulbright Visiting Fulbright Honorary Ambassador. Scholar Program and Fulbright Scholar-in- Residence Program (Foreigners in America). Many have heard about Erasmus – the international professionals. The partnership abroad is then Another significant part of the Scholars Program exchange program designed to promote cooperation established by the corresponding authorities of the is the Fulbright Specialist Program which sends between European countries and to broaden the local government and the US Embassy. U.S. scholars to serve as expert consultants on horizons of those who decide to participate in it. curriculum, faculty development, institutional However, many are not familiar with its even older The scholarship itself is then granted to individuals planning, and related subjects at overseas academic transatlantic counterpart – the Fulbright Program. in the US to study, teach or perform research in institutions An idea of an American senator named James other countries and vice versa. This privilege is William Fulbright, it was established in 1946 and, assigned by the US-based presidentially-elected Teachers from non-university schools receive according to the official advertisement, it serves the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. When another significant part of the Program’s funds. noble purpose of “increasing mutual understanding selected, the person then travels to their desired or TheFulbright Teacher Exchange Program sends a and supporting friendly and peaceful relations allocated destination and the rest follows a similar US teacher abroad and in exchange hosts a foreign between the people of the United States and the pattern as the Erasmus Program – live, study, enjoy, teacher in the US. TheDistinguished Fulbright people of other countries.” This article briefly to your heart’s content and your bank account’s Awards in Teaching Program then enables teachers presents the properties of the Fulbright Program, now-raised limit. to pursue their individual projects such as research, its history, the selection of grants and basic facts teaching or leading seminars. about the life of its creator. Types of grants Last but not least there are grants for professionals James William Fulbright While most of us have the idea of a scholarship who no longer study nor are involved in education. via Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, How it works United States Department of State associated with students only, a wide range of The Hubert H. Humphrey Program is designed The way the Fulbright Program works is quite scholarships is, in fact, offered to many categories especially to receive distinguished foreign similar to the one we are familiar with - the of participants. The following paragraphs offer a professionals in the US for a year to take part in a his understanding of the law at the George Erasmus Program. The US Government and the brief outline of the most prominent ones. non-degree program of academic study and to earn Washington University and afterwards returned to governments of the respected countries form a more professional experience. Thus they broaden his alma mater in Arkansas to work as a lecturer and, mutual agreement and then share the funding. In Students do indeed form the first category of grants. their area of expertise or gain deeper insight into later, to be promoted to its president as the youngest the US this is supervised by the U.S. Department of Here students from the US and abroad are given their profession. to ever hold that post. State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs chance to study and conduct research outside of and the Council for International Exchange of their home country thanks to the Fulbright U.S. The programs mentioned here are the most Twenty years after his European travels, at the time Scholars (CIES) which assists in the administration and Foreign Student Programs respectively. frequently awarded on global scale. Some more being a junior senator from Arkansas, he used his of the Fulbright Scholar Program for faculty and Fellowships exist also for US students only, and locally important and otherwise specialized experience to form the basis of his proposal to 12 The Fulbright Program The Fulbright Program 13 establish an international educational exchange program funded by the surplus material left after Some Numbers waging the Second World War in 1945. It was The Fulbright Commission in the approved by President Truman the next year and The Fulbright Program awards approx. Czech Republic became the scholarship known today as the Fulbright 8,000 grants annually. Program. Approximately 360,000 „Fulbrighters“ have participated in the Program since 1946. By Pavla Wernerová (a maximum of $15,000). If you would like to learn Though this was the beginning of his internationally Currently, the Fulbright Program operates more about the requirements for the scholarship, you most popular deed, it was far from the end of his in over 155 countries worldwide. The international Fulbright program also has its can find all the informationhere . career as a senator that stretched for another 30 years. 54 Fulbright alumni have won Nobel representative, the Fulbright Commission, in the In 1949 he became member of the Senate Foreign Prizes, 82 have won Pulitzer Prizes. Czech Republic and its webpage is the first thing one Fulbright-Masaryk Scholarship Relations Committee and ten years later rose to the should search for if interested in the program. post of its chairman. He also supported funding of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Fulbright Commission was established in 1991 One of the unique scholarships in the Czech Republic by a bilateral agreement between the governments is the Fulbright-Masaryk scholarship. This scholarship Pavel Peléšek His political career was not only about funding of the Czech Republic and the United States with the is aimed at the students seeking their PhD degrees educational and cultural institutions, though. He was aim to improve mutual understanding by means of who are not only experts in their fields but who are mostly a man of standards and was not afraid to voice educational, cultural, and scientific exchanges. The also active in their communities and in their public his disapproval, as evidenced by his protest against an exchanges are based on governmental scholarship life just like Tomáš Garrique Masaryk was. With that appropriation for the Permanent Subcommittee on programs and also on advising services. The Fulbright being said, the applicants are supposed to work in Investigations chaired at the time by Senator Joseph Commission in the Czech Republic offers several the academic senate, in a non-profit organization, R. McCarthy. He also was also one of the few who scholarships for people who are interested in studying, or in various public organizations. Meeting these raised their voices against President Kennedy before teaching, or conducting research in the USA. requirements is necessary for obtaining this the failed invasion to Cuba in the Bay of Pigs in scholarship. April 1961. As to the specific scholarships, this article is going to The basic requirements are very similar to the previous highlight those programs that are aimed at students scholarship; the other requirements differ a little. The The widest public attention was attracted by his of master’s and PhD degrees. In general, the Fulbright most important part is that an applicant has to have frequent voicing of doubts during the Vietnam program is not aimed at the students of bachelor’s her/his own research project and needs to have an War era. According to his biography, his reputation degrees but more at students at the second stage of invitation letter from an American institution. You can soared so high that in 1963 Walter Lippman1 wrote their academic path. Apart from the scholarships for find more information about the Fulbright-Masaryk of Fulbright: “The role he plays in Washington is students, the funding is also available for scientists, scholarship here. an indispensable role. There is no one else who is university lectures or for physicians. so powerful and also so wise, and if there were any question of removing him from public life, it would People of Fulbright be a national calamity.” Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies Photo by Helena Brunnerová Although one can find plenty of information about the However, raising one’s voice against a government is This scholarship is intended for students who want to program on the website of the Fulbright Commission, Pavel is an MA student of English Language a quick way of losing popularity polls and this soon Translation, a science-fiction and fantasy reader, study or conduct a research during their master’s or the real experience of its participants might turn out to proved to be true. After 30 years in the Senate he and an avid computer game enthusiast. Ever doctoral degree in the USA. Students can either go be more useful than browsing the official information. was defeated by a landslide in the 1974 election by since he started playing games he knew that one for a visiting research (they will work on their own Governor Dale Bumpers, who had the odds play in day he would like to work in the games industry, research project), or they can obtain a degree in the Application Process his favor thanks to his support and funding by the and for this purpose he intends to make use of USA (then they will receive a scholarship for the first interventionist and pro-Israeli right-wing groups. his studies and join a famous game developer year at the university only) or they can go to study to If you are interested in applying for the Fulbright After his defeat he practiced international law at to help with localization of games. Right now, the USA for one year without getting a degree there. scholarship, it is important to start getting all the the law firm Hogan & Hartson for 18 years to his however, he is drowning in fear of the upcoming documents ready as soon as possible. As Roman retirement in 1993. He was awarded the Presidential Erasmus and the imminent threat of having to The scholarship is granted for one academic year (9 Madzia (a graduate of Masaryk University who come up with a diploma thesis topic. Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton for his merits. months) and covers living costs, the cost of the return took part in the J. William Fulbright program as a Two years later he died of a stroke at 89 years of age. flight ticket, the health insurance and the tuition fees research fellow at the University of Toledo in Ohio

1 American writer, reporter, and political commentator. Author of the concept of Cold War and the modern psychological understanding of the term “stereotype”. 14 The Fulbright Program The Fulbright Program 15 in 2011/2012) points out, the competition in the Republic, as Vanda Černohorská emphasizes. Most is not well known in the Czech Republic or Europe in options in the USA such as 2-year community colleges program is so high that if you make any mistakes in of the American universities are campus-based and general, in the US it is a big deal. You will be treated or summer programs. the paperwork, it can backfire against you. The Czech because of that, students do not go to school only for according to this general perception and you should Fulbright Committee evaluates the applications in classes but they also literally live there. Apart from take it as a challenge to live up to it. The Fulbright Jakub Tesař, a study advisor in EducationUSA, October/November. If you apply for a 1-year non- classes, many sport and cultural events take place on program has opened many doors for me which would emphasizes that it is the best to start getting all degree research stay, it is best to start preparing all campus and students spend most of their free time otherwise remain closed. On a more personal note, the required documents ready as soon as possible. the required documents in March or April, he advises. there. Because of that, their ties towards their alma I would say that it has made me better as a person He points out that the candidates who are serious Preparing the application ahead is not the only mater are much stronger than in the Czech Republic. because it has made me stay constantly opened to about studying at some of the American colleges or important factor which should be taken into “Therefore, being a proud and active member of the whatever new is coming. I believe it has also made universities should start at least 18 months before account while applying. It is also very important to university community is not an exception here, it’s me more self-confident but, on the other hand, also the planned beginning of the academic year. If you highlight the qualities of one’s project, as Roman the norm,” she adds. humbler than before. I guess that living in a country are interested in getting the help from the advisory Madzia emphasizes: “When applying, one should Staying in the USA is not only about enjoying student such as the USA can teach you to neither under- nor centre, you can make an appointment with a student stress the way in which the research project is going life on campus, though. Sometimes things can get overestimate yourself. It just teaches you to believe in advisor free of charge and make the first step to your to contribute to the mutual cultural understanding very difficult and discouraging, especially because of yourself. This healthy self-attitude gets checked pretty studies in the USA. between the US and the Czech Republic. Given the the bureaucracy, as Roman Madzia stresses. When often as you go about your life there, and will enable prestige of the program, it unfortunately does not trying to set up a bank account, things can get very you to get to know yourself better.” suffice to be just an excellent student, you need to complicated because for that purpose it is necessary Pavla Wernerová have something ’more’ and be able to sell it. This is to have a domicile, but in order to get a domicile, one Do You Want to Apply? why a lot of Fulbrighters are not just smart, but above needs a bank account. Sometimes, staying in the USA all quite interesting people.” can feel like living in Noodledom. Are you interested in the program but are you not sure whether you should try or not? Do not hesitate! Get Ready to Work Hard Studying All the Time? Fortunately “Try it, believe in yourself, do not be scared of the unknown, when you’re there - constantly challenge Being admitted for the program is not the only Not... your comfort zone, let the life on the other side of the challenge you may experience during the program. In spite of a heavy workload you may experience Atlantic disturb you and change you, never complain, After being granted the scholarship, you may be during the program, it is not only about that, as make the people who welcome you there never forget surprised by the amount of work which is expected Vanda Černohorská stresses. At Yale, she has access you and do not regress to your old habits the moment of you at a US university. The classes in the USA are to all the university’s facilities where she can work you’re back home,” urges Madzia. nothing like the ones you may know in the Czech on her research and she can also attend the classes of In case you would like to learn more about the people Republic. “Simply put, American graduate life is her choice without the necessity to pass the exams. on the Fulbright program, you can watch the TV series no Sunday walk, it is tough – tougher than you can Therefore, she receives priceless feedback from her One Year with Fulbright which is not only about imagine,” Roman Madzia points out. You should be fellow graduate students and the faculty members. students admitted for this program but also about prepared to receive an amount of assignments you In spite of the fact that the main aim of the Fulbright lecturers and scientists. have never seen in your life. In the US, it is common program is to work on one’s degree or research, it is Photo by Helena Brunnerová to be obliged to read 4 books a week just for one class. not only about that. “It is also about exploring US EducationUSA Also the Americans often write mid-term papers culture, getting involved in your local community, Pavla is a student of English Language and which regularly check the knowledge of the students. meeting new friends both inside and outside your The Fulbright Commission in the Czech Republic Literature and also of Regional Development Vanda Černohorská, a visiting assistant in research academic circles, discussing US and world politics, does not manage only the Fulbright program itself and Tourism. She is a low-budget traveller who at Yale University, agrees with that and adds her tasting new food, attending sport events or going on but it also helps the students who are interested in loves spending her time hiking, camping and own experience from the classes at Yale University: a road trips. In other words, making the most of your studying in the USA but do not want to apply for the couchsurfing. She also loves tasting exotic meals “Despite the tremendous amount of required reading time across the pond,” she says. Fulbright program. EducationUSA is a global network during her travels. She has already visited three continents and she is hoping to visit another and class-related workload, students come to lectures of advisory centers supported by the U.S. Department one soon. When she is not abroad, she spends and seminars well prepared and ready to ask curious So What? of State. They offer information and guidance to all most of her time reading good books, especially and critical questions.” students who are interested in studying in the USA; English classics. During her studies, she became Fulbright program is not only about your stay in the their services are free of charge. The centre helps the interested in British and American politics, Life in the US USA, it influences your life and even your personality, students with the selection of schools, the admission which she now considers to be very entertaining as Roman Madzia evaluates retrospectively a few years process, and also with financial matters. The centre (especially with Trump being a part of that). She The lives of university students in the USA are after finishing the program. “It was a game changer. does not focus only on the most prestigious American is also a passionate animal lover. very different from what we know in the Czech You have to realize that while the Fulbright program universities but it also informs about other educational 16 Transatlantický úvodník Transatlantický úvodník 17

The Transatlantic Partnership

By Markéta Šonková Edited by Anna Formánková

There has been a long tradition of relations reaching from the very heart of Europe all the way across the Atlantic. It dates back not only to the First Czechoslovak Republic, but it has its beginnings as early as in the 19th century. However, although the ties have quite a long tradition, the question is, what is their nature – is it a politically strategic and significant partnership or is it a relationship that is rather based on cultural tradition and continuation of the already existing ties?

We asked two men who have contributed heavily to the Czech-American cooperation to help us answer these questions: His Excellency Andrew H. Schapiro, US Ambassador to the Czech Republic and Mr. Michael Žantovský, former Czech diplomat, politician, and current Executive Director of the Václav Havel Library, as both the gentlemen offer various perspectives on the matter in question through various timings, experience(s), and also through their own personal histories and stories. Moreover, from both sides of the Atlantic.

Mr. Žantovský was present when the transatlantic communication channels re-opened after the fall of the Iron Curtain, first serving as Czech Ambassador to the USA, and then also as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Security during the critical years when the Czech Republic was in the process of joining NATO. His Excellency Schapiro, on the other hand, is the one who currently helps to steer the cooperation between Prague and Washington DC, working on keeping and deepening the already existing ties.

On the following pages, you can read how both of them see the Czech-American relationship, what was its past, and what they think might be its future.

Photo by Helena Brunnerová 18 Interview Interview 19

Civic Democratic Alliance (ODA) leader, and also The Re:Views Magazine staff would like to thank as chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the President of the SS IIPS Marek Bičan and Václav Paving the Democratic Road to Defence and Security. After leaving his last foreign Havel Library for their help with organization of the Washington: service post in London, he became Executive interview. Big thanks go also to the Deputy Head of Director of the Václav Havel Library in Prague. the Department of English and American Studies, Mr. Interview with Michael Žantovský Jeffrey A. Vanderziel. We would also like to thank He appears to be a Renaissance man whose skills go everyone who helped in any way while working on By Markéta Šonková beyond one field, as he is also a lyricist, author, and this interview and the videorecording. Edited by Anna Formánková a successful translator. It is his book Havel which he wrote and also translated that once again brought Although he studied psychology, his career brought him to many unexpected places. He served as the him international attention and that together Michael Žantovský Czech ambassador to the USA, Israel, and the UK. He is a politician and a journalist. He is also a lyricist, with his new position in the Václav Havel Library, author, and a translator. He is the one who helped build the early relationship of the free Czechoslovak somewhat makes the circle of his friendship with and Czech state respectively with the USA. And now he is the Executive Director of the Václav Havel the late President Havel turn full. Library. Michael Žantovský. The following pages bring you not only Michael Michael Žantovský’s life story is one that clearly Being one of the founding members of the Civic Žantovský’s view of the Czech-American shows that the path you think one might have set Forum, he assumed the position of its spokesman. partnership in the past, as his role of the Czech with their university studies is not necessarily the Later, Žantovský started working as an advisor Ambassador was instrumental in the early 1990s true path that one will actually walk down in life. and press secretary to President Václav Havel, a when the ties were being re-examined, but also Having spent several years practicing psychology, lifelong friend of his. However, it is his diplomatic his views on the current state of affairs, as he can then being a freelance author and translator, he career he is widely known for, for he served as make comparisons and evaluations thanks to his eventually became active in the underground press the Ambassador to the USA (1992-1997), Israel long experience working abroad and with the and Reuters in the late 1980s. However, it was the (2003-2009), and the UK (2009-2015). He spent Czech-American bond in general. Similarly as with Velvet Revolution that launched his political and the intermezzo in between his postings abroad as His Excellency Schapiro, you can also watch the later diplomatic career. member of Parliament for a Prague district, as the interview on our YouTube channel.

Student Section of International Institute of Political Science of Used with permission of the Václav Havel Library Born on January 3, 1949 in Prague. Masaryk University Studied psychology at Charles University in Prague and at McGill University in Montreal, A university society founded in 1998. Canada. Connects students mainly from the area of His wife is photographer Jana Noseková- political science. Žantovská. Is closely linked to the International Institute of He is father to 4 children. Political Science of Masaryk University. He is the President of the Aspen Institute Prague Active in organizing roundtables, discussions and is also member of the Board of Trustees of with experts, and field trips. the Aspen Institute. Since 2015, he is the Executive Director of the Václav Havel Library. Translated over 50 books from English and one from Hebrew. Recently published an espionage thriller from the near future Ochlazení.

© Ondřej Němec / Václav Havel Library - used with permission. 20 Interview Interview 21

You have been present at the creation of the very We asked this very same question His Excellency role in Europe is no longer of utmost importance, and today is much more charged, much more divided beginnings of the Czechoslovak, and later Czech, Andrew Schapiro and since you stand on the other side some have even felt that there may be other powers, than it was during my time when the idea of what the relations with the U.S. Have your original plans and of the Atlantic in terms of the perception of the issue, we other sources of ideas, economic cooperation and Americans call “bipartisanship” was still relevant to intentions been in any way different from the current would like to know your opinion you as well: influence, that could be more profitable for Europe what was going on in the United States Congress and in situation or from the current state of affairs? And what There has been an ongoing notion that the relations than the Atlantic bond. I am not of that persuasion, other government institutions. Also some of the more were your original goals when creating these political and understanding between the U.S. and the Czech I continue to view the Atlantic relationship as crucial radical, more populist, streams of political opinion, and cultural ties? Republic – and earlier also with Czechoslovakia during to the future of both North America and Europe, but whether it is the policies of the Tea Party organisations the First Republic era – are built somewhat naturally on whether I am still in the majority is another question. or of some of the candidates in the current presidential We have not exactly created ties, we have followed up shared notion of democracy and democratic principles. campaign, were not as pronounced in my time as they on what had happened in the past and that’s also one Do you feel that the current relationship between our Where do you personally see the crucial milestones in are now. of the reasons why Czech-American relationship and two countries has a basis more in ongoing cultural the Czech-American relations? ties are crucial to our history and to our present. They ties and personal friendships related to names like Maybe in relation to what you have just said, do you date back to two hundred years ago and especially Václav Havel, Madeleine Albright, or Tomáš Garrigue I have mentioned some of them. It all starts with the think that the upcoming presidential election and its to the period of 1840s, 1850s, when large number Masaryk, who provided a sort of bridge between our two settlement of larger numbers of Czechs in the United results might give rise to any difficulties within the of Czechs and also Slovaks emigrated to the United nations, rather than in an actual political partnership States on the Eastern coast, in the Midwest, and in Czech-American relationship? I know it is hard to predict States and created settlements and all kinds of of strategic importance? Texas in the 19th century, the role of the United States because we do not know the results yet... associations and groups with long traditions and in helping to create an independent Czechoslovakia strong traditions and strong ties to their original Well it’s several questions at the same time. Our at the end of the First World War, the role of president There was an American movie producer who said it is country. And they, in turn, help bring back some relationship is based on shared values and shared Wilson and the experience of president Masaryk during hard to make predictions, especially about the future. of the American democratic traditions, some of the principles, there is no question about it, but at the his stay in the United States were of much importance, But seriously, there are all kinds of scenarios that could values of liberty and tolerance and plurality that same time, it is based on some geo-political realities. the role of the United States during the Cold War, which follow the victory of one or the other leading candidates America stands for. So these were the principles For a long time United States has played a similar had lasted for forty years, and in which the United States in the current presidential campaign, and some of them and values we were trying to emulate and look for role in European foreign policy as that which had and the West eventually prevailed, was also crucial and would certainly have impact on American foreign in reestablishing the Czech-American relationship been played by Britain during the 19th century. without it there would hardly be an independent Czech policy, on the relationship between America and after 1989. Republic and a free Europe today. And the role of the Europe, and indirectly also on the Czech-American We have not exactly created ties, we have United States in the post-1989 period when it supported relationship, but I wouldn’t go further than that at this You also interpreted Václav Havel’s speech at the our transformation process and our aspirations to moment. American Congress in 1990. To what extent did you followed up on what had happened in the become an integral part of the western world of the realize back then that you really were making history past and that’s also one of the reasons why North-Atlantic Alliance, of the European Union et This is my last question, and I would like to go back to on that day? Czech-American relationship and ties are cetera, was also very important. So it’s a number of Václav Havel. His 80th birth anniversary is approaching crucial to our history and to our present. milestones and each of them was crucial. and the Václav Havel Library, which you are the Executive I didn’t quite realize it that day because I had Director of, is planning a whole series of events named problems of my own, I developed a loss of hearing You personally witnessed two presidential administratives “Havel@80”. Since you and Václav Havel contributed due to changes of pressure on the way across the It effectively prevented any single European power during your time in the US – George H. W. Bush’s, significantly to the transatlantic partnership, can we Atlantic in the plane, and when it came to the speech from a hegemonic role on the continent and although this one just briefly, and Bill Clinton’s. Now it expect any events related to Czech-American relations, I had to lip-read the President, so I wasn’t quite sure prevented in the short history of one hundred years has been almost 19 years since you returned from the maybe in cooperation with the Václav Havel Library which spot of the speech we were exactly at at any two tyrannies of communism and nazism from USA. So in context of your academic and diplomatic Foundation in New York? given moment, I suffered through the speech, and so prevailing on the European continent, so it is also experience, how do you perceive the current presidential when afterwards people asked me: “Did you realize for this reason that continuing American presence in election process? And how much has America changed We work together with the Václav Havel Library that you were present at a historic moment?” I had Europe is, in my view at least, of strategic importance. since your day? Foundation, it’s our sister organisation, we organize to say I was preoccupied with other things. Whether the Europeans and the Americans are fully a number of events together, we conduct fellowships aware of this at the moment is another question. I left the United States as ambassador nineteen of Czech and American students reciprocally in our Well, Madeleine Albright praised you highly in her The United States in the throws of the presidential years ago, but I keep going back almost every year, institutions. We will hold an evening in memory of memoir... campaign seems to be much preoccupied with its I hope I have not lost touch with the country. It has Václav Havel in New York at the end of September, own domestic concerns, and has been showing under changed, it has changed considerably, it has changed and closer to home there also may be some events That’s very kind of Madeleine, and in retrospect of Obama administration perhaps less of an interest in a demographically, it has changed culturally, and it has related to Václav Havel and myself and the transatlantic course it was a grand occasion, but that was due to continuing strategic role in Europe; and at the same changed politically, and not in all respect for the better. relationship at the upcoming Globsec security Václav Havel and his speech, not to me. time many Europeans have felt that the American I mean the political atmosphere in the United States conference in Bratislava in April1.

1 The interview had been conducted before the event in question took place. 22 Interview Interview 23

Going the Extra Mile: Interview with His Excellency Andrew H. Schapiro

By Markéta Šonková Edited by Anna Formánková

He has a B.A. from Yale, an M.A. from from Oxford, and a J.D. from Harvard. He was Barack Obama’s fellow student and he volunteered in a church soup kitchen. He also plays the guitar and sings a Rolling Stones’ song when asked. His name is Andrew H. Schapiro and he is the 9th US Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

One would hardly find a better qualified person His Excellency is very active in his to execute the role of the U.S. Ambassador ambassadorial role and he puts emphasis not in Prague than the current ambassador, His only on the political and cultural aspects of his Excellency Andrew H. Schapiro. Not only has job, but he also promotes a strong engagement he a flawless CV, but his whole life has been on philanthropic and humane bases which an ongoing Czech-American experience and pervades the entire Embassy. He and his wife he never forgets to mention his origins and helped in the soup kitchen in St. Thomas ties to this country that go all the way back Church at the last year’s Thanksgiving, some to World War II. Moreover, he always gives of the Embassy employees publicly volunteered the impression of being proud of his cultural as blood donors, and for the last five years, the heritage. Embassy has been supporting the Prague Pride Since he is not a career diplomat but a political parade. He also visited the annual Manhattan appointee, he had to suspend a very successful Rescuers Memorial held in Liberec, East career in law to assume his role at the Prague Bohemia, and the Embassy awards the “Alice Embassy. In his early years, he served as a Law Garrigue Masaryk Award” for Human Rights, Clerk to Judge Richard Posner of the United to name a few. States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit The Embassy under his lead also participates at, and to Justice Harry Blackmun of the United shields, and endorses events that seem unrelated States Supreme Court. Later, he worked as a to its main activities and tasks. There has been a public-interest lawyer in the office of the Federal support of the Mezipatra Queer Film Festival, Public Defender in New York City where he Summer Film School in Uherské Hradiště, defended those who could not afford to hire an 5th Annual Roma Spirit Award ceremony, attorney themselves. As he mentioned, some of Transparency International’s campaign “Blow those cases were most memorable for him, as he the Whistle”, and most recently, also a 6-week knew he was making a difference when helping social media campaign on transparency and those people1. However, he also represented accountability #protikorupci that the U.S. companies such as Google and YouTube which Embassy launched together with the Embassies he defended during his 16-year private practice of Canada, Finland, Korea, Norway, and the in two law companies. He, too, was repeatedly UK. selected to be included in publications such as Best Lawyers In America, Legal 500 USA, and Although all this is something that is more or The American Lawyer. less expected from an Ambassador. Andrew

Photo by Helena Brunnerová 1 Mentioned during his public talk at the Faculty of Law, Masaryk University in Brno on March 10, 2016. 24 Interview Interview 25

Since you were appointed to the Czech Republic, You know it is true in Chicago there are many you actually work at the place that issued Czechs. We have a neighbourhood called Pilsen, documents which saved your mother’s life. Then, we have a street called Cermak or Čermák Road there is the picture of St. Nicholas Church that – named after one of our mayors who came from your grandmother painted in 1925 which is one Czechoslovakia, actually Bohemia – statues of of the things she took with her when fleeing from Masaryk, but… in many ways my mother’s family, Czechoslovakia in 1939 – and this picture is now my mother was like a lot of American immigrants hanging on the wall in your office. It seems to me – she wanted to be American. She came as a little like turning a full circle. So I would like to ask you: girl, she did not want to have an accent. When she How did your family react when you told them you was little, she did not want her parents to speak a were being appointed to the Czech Republic and foreign language when they were walking on the did it somehow feel like coming back to your roots? street... Later in life she said she felt bad about that. That she wished she had embraced more of It really does. I don’t think you could write a story those things. So there was a way in which I felt Ambassador Schapiro performing “Jumpin“ Jack Flash on the Jan Kraus Show; used with permission of the U.S. Embassy Prague. like this and have people believe it. Unfortunately the community, definitely, in my family and other my mom is no longer alive, so she did not get to immigrant friends; but there was also a way in which my mom made very clear that she wanted Andrew H. Schapiro The chemistry was magnificent and I to be American. I think that is kind of typical. think for everyone who was in that hall You are the 9th US Ambassador that resides in when they were playing the national Prague since the Velvet Revolution and you seem

Ambassador Schapiro and his wife Tamar Newberger volunteering in the anthem of the United States and the to be very prolific in your activities. Some of your St. Thomas Church Thanksgiving soup kitchen; used with permission of the predecessors had a topic on their agenda they were U.S. Embassy Prague. national anthem of your country, many people, including me, were almost especially passionate about. For John Shattuck, it Schapiro, on the other hand, seems to be willing was human rights, for William J. Cabaniss, it was to go several steps further and is not afraid to crying. It was a special feeling. trade partnership between our two countries. So I answer some rather informal questions like would like to ask you if you also have one or two what his music choices and skills are or to see this, but all my cousins, my sister, my uncle topics on your agenda you would like to focus on? actually show them on TV in Show Jana Krause – he was born here also as a little boy – it was where he played the guitar and sang a Rolling very hard for people to believe. But I will say I I think one of them, it is the reason I am here Stones’ song “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”. did not discover all of the connections until I got today1, is that I very much like to connect with On the following pages, you can read the here, so I knew of course my mother’s story of your generation – the people who were born interview we conducted with His Excellency coming from here, but some of the documents I on March 10, 2016. If you prefer watching the only found when I arrived here because I brought interview to reading it, a video recording is lots of things with me that we had in boxes in our People sometimes forget that one of the accessible on our YouTube channel. house and never looked at, so every day there jobs of an embassy is not just to talk to has been a new discovery. It certainly makes the Used with permission of the U.S. Embassy in Prague people, but is to listen. TheRe:Views Magazine staff would like to thank whole time here more meaningful. His Excellency Andrew H. Schapiro for his time Born in 1963 in Chicago, Illinois to a and the U.S. Embassy in Prague for their help Czechoslovakian immigrant. There is also the history of Czech community in after 1989 and might not remember how things with organizing the interview. Big thanks go also Holds a B.A. in History from Yale College, an Chicago where you were born. Was it somehow were and for that reason might not value the to the Deputy Head of the Department of English M.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics noticeable during your childhood or formative transatlantic relationship as much as their parents and American Studies, Mr. Jeffrey A. Vanderziel. from Oxford University, and a J.D. from Harvard years? Would you say you have been better do. It is very important to me to make sure that We would also like to thank everyone who helped Law School. prepared for your ambassadorial role here thanks the special relationship we have continues into in any way while working on this interview and Is married to a software engineer and scientist Mrs. to being half-Czech and thanks to growing up in the next generation. And then the other piece of Tamar Newberger. They have two children. the videorecording, as well as Faculty of Law an area where there is Czech tradition? Did your that is I would like, if I can, to encourage Czechs He was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to the staff for allowing us to shoot the video on their Czech Republic on August 14, 2014. perception of the Czech Republic change after you as individuals and the whole Czech Republic, premises. assumed your role at the Embassy? to continue to be engaged in the world as much

1 The interview was conducted on March 10, 2016 after a public talk at the Faculty of Law, Masaryk University. 26 Interview Interview 27

in other parts of the country and there is always but is to listen. And I have found for all of us I would like to go back to the cultural ties, because an opportunity for that. that when we go out and if I speak to students at there has been an ongoing notion that the relations university – I even want to speak to some students and understanding between the United States Which relates to my next question – the Embassy in high schools, because they have a lot of ideas and the Czech Republic – and earlier also with puts emphasis on its approachability and actively and energy too – we come back and we have Czechoslovakia during the First Republic era – promotes American culture. Also, social media are learned things: what do you care about, what do are built somewhat naturally on shared notion important for communicating with public, both you worry about, what don’t you like about the of democracy and democratic principles. Do you for you personally as well as for the office. How United States? That is important for me to know feel that the current relationship between our do Czechs respond to all this? Has this attitude and I am not afraid to hear that. I want to hear two nations has a basis more in ongoing cultural changed the way the USA, the U.S. Embassy, or ties and personal friendships related to names the people who work there are perceived by Czechs? I think it is only by remembering and like Václav Havel, Madeleine Albright, or Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who provided a sort of bridge Well you might be in a better position to answer valuing the sacrifices that happened between our two countries, rather than in an actual that question than I would about how I am before ours, that we can really value political partnership of strategic importance? A 1939 passport belonging to His Excellency’s late mother; used with perceived by Czechs. But you are definitely right what we have today, and it is important permission of the U.S. Embassy Prague. that in today’s world, you cannot just rely on a to remember that things can change You did not mention Jaromír Jágr, that was a as possible. So contributing, as you are, to press release or sitting inside your walls. You connection too. I don’t think it is either – or, fast. peacekeeping missions, advocating for democracy need to be active, to be engaged. So whether we have both; we have not just the cultural and human rights around the world which you it is Facebook or Twitter or just having lots connections but I think Americans and people have always done; that is such an important of programmes that people can attend; I have people say “We are worried about gun violence” all over the world when you talk to them about tradition and it means a lot to me, and I hope asked everyone at the Embassy to really think or “You are trying to be the policeman of the the Czech Republic or Czechoslovakia, they think the country will continue to do that rather than of creative ways that we can be out, that we can world” – I want to have those conversations with about culture, high culture, they think about turning inward. be approachable, that we can show ourselves as people and so it is talking, but it is listening just literature, music, it is part of your brand – I was the normal people that we are. Maybe that’s part as much. talking about ours, but part of your brand. You regularly participate in events that are of the American brand, this idea of trying to be important for Czech history. Obviously you are open, trying to be friendly, trying to have fun – expected to be seen at some of these events, but there is nothing wrong with fun – and I hope that you seem to be going beyond the call of duty, for we are making those connections. example when showing your support for the “Short Trousers for Václav Havel” initiative. So I would Yes, I think so. Though, the Embassy is not only like to ask you what these events and initiatives active in cultural events, but also in visiting Czech mean for you personally and what significance you educational institutions. You personally visited see in them in terms of Czech-American relations? 6 universities only between November 19 and December 4, 2015. Your Counselor for Public It is very important. We have so many historical Affairs, Mr. Ray Castillo, visited also high schools ties – whether it’s liberation events related to the and even elementary schools. How do you find end of World War II in Pilsen and other parts of interaction with Czech students and what goals are the western parts of the country, I love attending you hoping to meet when visiting Czech schools? those. Whether it’s commemorations of Havel and the Velvet Revolution or unveiling of the You know, last year, it wasn’t just me and it wasn’t Jan Palach memorial. I was a student of history just Ray Castillo. We had many people from – that’s what I studied at college before law – and our Embassy going down to even some of the I think it is only by remembering and valuing most junior officers. Going out, they might talk the sacrifices that happened before ours, that we to a high school or a small school or a club or can really value what we have today, and it is a group – because that really is a way to make important to remember that things can change connections. But it is also a way for us to learn, fast. But one more thing, which is I love getting because people sometimes forget that one of the out and just seeing people – not just in Prague but jobs of an embassy is not just to talk to people,

Photo by Helena Brunnerová 28 Interview Interview 29

But the other part of your brand is this Havel the great powers, and General Patton stopped But a real high was this Dragoon Ride convoy. I to Washington for the unveiling of this bust of idea of co-responsibility. And I even used a in Pilsen and didn’t go further – history might don’t know if you remember, last year there was a Havel in the United States Capitol. And there are quote from Havel today in my speech to the have been different if he had. 1948, I don’t know plan to move a large number of American troops only two or three other non-Americans, maybe law faculty, about how one person’s suffering has if there was much we could do. 1968, maybe a who were coming back from their exercises in the four, Winston Churchill, a few others, and now to be seen as everybody’s suffering. Of course, low, not a milestone. And yet, during all those Baltics, through Poland and through the Baltics Havel. The chemistry was magnificent and I think years afterwards, our Embassy maintained a real to join up in the Czech Republic and go back dialogue with and connection to people who into their base in Germany. And in the weeks valued freedom. Not just the famous dissidents, leading up to this convoy, many people on the but also more ordinary people. And someone who press and on the Internet were saying “Oh there worked at our Embassy during those times, the will be protests”, “People will throw tomatoes at 1980s, recently said to me that she remembers the Americans”, “They don’t want them here”, and people from some other European embassies when the actual day came, you had thousands saying: “Why do you Americans always spend of people waiting in the rain, in the cold, to all the time with these dissidents, you are just cheer for the troops, waving flags to greet them, going to irritate the government.” and she said: and for me, that was just a marvelous moment. “Well, because it is the right thing to do.” And Because we were a little nervous about what was

then they woke up one day and these dissidents His Excellency Schapiro accompanied by Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav were the government, they were in charge. Sobotka and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during the 2015 I would like, if I can, to encourage “Dragoon Ride”; used with permission of the U.S. Embassy Prague. The U.S. Embassy in Prague showing support to Prague Pride; used with permission of the U.S. Embassy Prague. Czechs as individuals and the whole for everyone who was in that hall when they were Czech Republic, to continue to be playing the national anthem of the United States not everyone walks around every day thinking and the national anthem of your country, many engaged in the world as much as about Havel’s ideas, you have a normal life, but people, including me, were almost crying. It was I think and I hope that people here still realize possible. a special feeling. So there is a real connection the valuable legacy, the inheritance you have, and on the political level in this administration. It the respect it gives this country in the world. So is impossible to predict what will happen in the it is both. going to happen. You can see that there was lots next administration, but I cannot imagine any of support and I don’t think so many people reason why the relationship would not continue What do you think were the crucial milestones would have come out if there had not been all as strongly and solidly, regardless of which man in the Czech-American relations? And also, was this speculation and worry and opposition. I will or woman wins the next election. there any moment during your time at the Embassy always remember that. The U.S. Embassy Prague showing their support for the „Short Trousers when you felt especially strong support of the Czech For “Václav Havel“ initiative; used with permission of the U.S. Embassy And our last question – to finish on a less serious Republic to the United States or vice versa? Prague. You were appointed during the second Obama note – how do you actually enjoy studying Czech? So that is a high. Obviously the Velvet Revolution, administration. Do you think that the relationship So strong moments… You know there have been the whole period of the 90s, a high. And then, we with the Czech Republic somehow changed during (laughs) Není lehký, potřebuju studovat, ale highs and lows – the founding of Czechoslovakia, have had our little ups and downs over the times, the two administrations? And also, with the nemám moc čas? Času2. Now I am learning obviously the United States, Woodrow Wilson, but it has always been a strong, solid relationship, upcoming presidential elections, do you think that “dělat” and “udělat” and “psát3” and “napsat4” – gave lots of support, that was a high, that was a and I am sure it always will be. the Czech-American relationship might possibly proč? (laughs) special time; and this country, Czechoslovakia, The second part of your question was if there have change in the future? I know it is hard to predict... was really one of the most successful countries in been some specific times during my time here I was asking the same question myself. (laughs) Europe between the wars, we had lots of ties. But in terms of the highs and the lows – I have not I don’t think there has been any big change 1938 is a low, I think the whole western world still really seen lows. I mean there’s always Internet between the two Obama administrations. That (laughs) I think because you don’t have these needs to feel some shame and sorrow about the trolls, if you talk about times where I feel they would be hard to figure out also because of course verb tenses like -ing, ale… to je zábavný, líbí se fact that we did not do or could not do anything mock the United States, never read the comments, there was also a change of the government here, mi čeština5, even if it is a little bit difficult. And to help this country stand up against the Nazis. you know, on Twitter, Facebook, because they are so trying to decide what minor changes there I am going to keep trying until my very last day 1945, great, we helped liberate the west of the crazy, although sometimes they make a mistake have been... Our relationship is very strong and here, no matter if I am here another year or two country, but there was also a low there: there and they jump into the Russian alphabet, that has I noticed this especially in November of 2014 or how many it is, it is important to try. To je were political decisions, negotiations between happened sometimes, they use a cyrillic script. when almost the whole Czech government went důležité zkusím? Snažit se6.

2 “It is not easy, I have to study, but I don’t have a of of time.” – in broken Czech 4 “Why?” 3 Note: His Excellency is studying verbs “to do” and “to write” but Czech language has verb aspects that need to be distinguished between which is what he is commenting on and which 5“But it’s fun and I like Czech language.” – in broken Czech is untranslatable into English due to differences in grammar. 6“It is important to try, to make an effort.” – in broken Czech 30 US Elections 2016 US Elections 2016 31

P a r t y Gun Control Abortions Climate Obamacare Taxes Raise Taxes Cut Deportation US Presidential Elections 2016 Affilation Change of Illegal Immigrants Written by Radka Michaláková, Barbara Oscovayová, Šárka Panochová Edited by Šárka Panochová, Tereza Pavlíková Clinton, H. DEM YES YES YES YES YES NO NO This year is Barack Obama’s last year in the office of President of the United States. It is also his eighth year as President which means that he cannot run for the office again. And this year, more than in the last few election cycles, some surprising faces Sanders, B. DEM YES YES YES YES YES NO NO have appeared in the race and are swinging the American political scene. The media have been covering the Presidential race for more than a year now. The discussion has penetrated everywhere, it seems almost impossible to avoid it. Re:Views brings Cruz, T. REP NO NO NO NO NO YES YES you a series of articles about the candidates, the election process, and the campaigns as they unfold in the Spring of 2016. Kasich, J. REP NO NO Sort of NO NO YES NO

Trump, D. REP NO NO NO NO NO YES YES The Presidential Candidates: What Has The U.S. Got in Store for Us This Time something of a slogan of his. It also has aroused much controversy. The Democrats feel the immigrants should By Radka Michaláková BERNARD “BERNIE” be granted full legal rights instead. SANDERS Four years have passed and here it comes again, the presidential election cycle. At its beginning there stood 23 fresh faced Knowing these basic party templates, what more is there candidates from both the Democratic and the Republican parties, all joined by a single goal: to become the head of the to each of the candidates? United States of America. As of the end of March - when this article is being written - only five remain. So what should we expect of these five candidates, what makes them stand out from the rest? And why should we even care who wins? DEMOCRATS For one, considering the obstructions president Obama is Abortions are another topic that follows this pattern of facing with his nomination for judge Scalia’s replacement, candidates keeping to their respective parties’ stances, HILLARY CLINTON the future president could very well be the one to with all the Republican candidates pushing to take away nominate a new judge to the U.S. Supreme Court. Also, funding from Planned Parenthood clinics and/or ban unlike the Czech president, the U.S. president possesses abortions altogether. the nation’s nuclear codes and is the commander-in- As for global warming, two out of the three Republican chief of the U.S. Army. And, last but not least, as the new candidates refuse to even consider it happening while Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore American president, the winner of this race will have the the third, John Kasich, concludes that while it perhaps final say in many of the social and economic issues that is indeed happening, it is probably nothing to worry Out of the two Democratic candidates Bernie are being discussed in the U.S. today. about. On the opposite side of the spectrum stand the Sanders is the race’s black horse. Sanders, a Democrats, with Bernie Sanders calling climate change Jewish senator from Vermont, is hugely popular THE CANDIDATES “the single greatest threat facing our planet.” Photo Courtesy of Mark Nozell with younger voters, and, along with Trump, the Proposals on tax policy are in the same vein of differences The wife of a former U.S. president and herself a source of both the biggest surprise and the most Even though this year’s presidential election is special in between the two parties. Republicans would like to former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is controversial opinions in this year’s run. The oldest that there is a candidate on both sides who does not fit in reduce taxes for all, even for the rich. Democrats would said to be the candidate with the most experience presidential candidate is supportive of the LGBT+ too well with the party scheme, much of every candidate’s endorse the exact opposite; putting Wall Street under at actually leading the state. An archetype of a group, racial minorities, as well as women’s rights. stances are still toeing along the traditional party lines when more pressure features in both candidates’ agendas and reasonable democratic candidate, she has run for However, his biggest goal seems to lie in evening it comes to the most common topics. See for yourselves. so does increasing the taxes for the wealthy. office once before, against Barack Obama in 2008. out the economic inequality of the current U.S. On gun control, both Democratic candidates, Sanders and Finally, the question of how to deal with immigration The ex-first lady is also the one candidate with the populace and he is more than willing to go big Clinton, support limitations to the potential gun owners, can again be answered based on the respondent’s party largest prejudices stacked against her since, as a about it. Doubling the minimum wages, making all the Republican candidates, on the other hand, view affiliation. Trump, as a representative of the Republican rapper named T.I. stated, “not to be sexist but, I colleges free, and expanding healthcare to be possession of a gun as their God-given right and intend to side, came up with proposals of deporting every illegal can’t vote for the leader of the free world to be a universal for all are just some of his proposals, keep things exactly as they are in the Second Amendment. immigrant and refusing to grant citizenship to their woman.” If elected, she would be the first woman Bernie Sanders is intent on “making the wealthy, To quote Donald Trump: “I won’t let them take away our American-born children. “We need to BUILD A WALL” in the office of a president of the United States. Wall Street, and large corporations pay their share.” guns!!” as a response to the immigration problem became 32 US Elections 2016 US Elections 2016 33

other two Republicans in the primaries. His five REPUBLICANS reasons why not to vote for Donald Trump are The American Spectacle: Snapshot “TED” CRUZ definitely worth listening to. to US Campaigning

DONALD TRUMP By Barbara Ocsovayová

US Elections – that time of a year when presidential candidates become rock stars. Billboards and political jokes are long outdated and as always, Americans go just a little bit further with their campaigns. But what role do media play in all this? Is 2016’s Presidential Election the most fruitful year for political memes? What are grassroots campaigns and how do they work? Let’s shed some light on it all!

Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore Media Coverage definitely does not stay idle and is quick at using its Ted Cruz, the Republican candidate who is imagination to pour out hilarious creations. People probably the most influenced by religion, hails Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore The media play a huge part in American culture speak their minds and are turning their concerns into from Texas. He boasts a record of having “led the and the presidential race would not be any different. less serious than they are. This year’s elections have way to preserve the words ’Under God’ in the A presidential candidate who does not shy away Polls show that the majority of US citizens use cable seen a rise of memes. Their targets are diverse, i.e. Pledge of Allegiance at the U.S. Supreme Court” from being different. According to a recent poll television as a main source of information about turning Ted Cruz into the Zodiac killer – a notorious and “Successfully defended the words ’Under God’ conducted by the Washington Post a mere linking the elections. However, numbers show an increase unsolved case from the seventies - which has given in the Texas Pledge of Allegiance.” If that is not of his name with a statement dramatically increases in mentioning one candidate: there is a huge gap birth to such projects as funding abortion clinics in enough of a proof that his faith stands quite high the likelihood of rejection of that statement by between numbers of mentions of Donald Trump and Texas by making T-shirts with this motif. Memes on the list of his priorities, the fact that he insists his opponents as well as its endorsement by his other presidential candidates. The media, as always, like these take up a life of their own and provide free, that “marriage is a sacrament between one man supporters, regardless of the statement’s content. aim for bigger viewership and Donald Trump is the albeit debatable, publicity for the candidates. Did and one woman, it has strengthened societies He says things as they are since “being politically hot topic nowadays, impossible to ignore. Media go Bernie Sanders truly speak to the bird of freedom? for millennia, and we must uphold the truth of correct takes too much time.” Sometimes he as far as to put him on a metaphorical pedestal by Is Donald Trump actually a modern version of Lord marriage” surely is. sparks public outrage by his comments, like dismissing Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in Voldemort? All these crazy ideas born as jokes make when he stated that women should be punished favor of giving Trump $2 billion worth of free air a mere mortal wonder and look up the source of for having an abortion. He recanted a few hours time. American media are playing a big game of who these anecdotes. JOHN KASICH later. Nonetheless, there is always something new is going to snap next, for instance by asking Bernie with the man: When Bernie Sanders challenged Sanders about Hillary Clinton and ready to capture a On the other hand, social media provide people his 2012 tweet that “the concept of global warming moment when Sanders finally speaks up. The media with insights such as showing videos of speeches was created by and for the Chinese in order to transform into gossipy places of talking about how and rallies recorded on mobile phones and thus, make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive,” one candidate is dressed and how the other styles Trump asserted it was meant in jest. No written their hair – or what is left of it. Therefore,the media’s confirmation of humorous intentions was issued, credibility is to be doubted even more . however, when he had made the call for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the Social Media United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on” because “there is Modern age, however, brings bigger freedom and Photo Courtesy of Michael Vadon great hatred towards Americans.” Nor when he when the media misinform their audiences, people The Ohio Governor is the most moderate among stated that “if and when the Vatican is attacked by turn to both their salvation and damnation: the the remaining Republican candidates. For whatever ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS’s ultimate Internet. Nowadays, information travels at the reason Kasich also remains the most overlooked trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have speed of light, both the correct and the completely one. While he does finally seem to be gaining some only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would wrong. In this year’s Elections the web has been the time in the spotlight, he struggles to catch up to the have been President.” At least as of yet. main source of information for the public which Twitter Screencap by Barbara Oscovayová

1 All the statements of and information about the candidates that are featured in this article and are not sourced otherwise come directly from the candidate’s official websites. 34 US Elections 2016 US Elections 2016 35 giving people a chance to be present there second- Though it is surprising how many people travel from much as they perhaps should. Americans feel included supporters, mainly women, who had a clear vision of handedly. The Internet might be full of gags and one country to the other just to hear them speak. Yes, in a campaign and essentially, in the results as well, a female president and joined forces to work towards misleading routes, yet when one seeks the right kind Americans are invested in the elections virtually, but even more than only through their vote. their mutual goal. of information, they can learn how to register to vote even more so personally. They make an effort to hear and even find out whether they can even vote for their out their chosen candidates in person and sometimes Grassroots campaigns are based on this concept Lastly, freedom of speech has always been of great own candidate. it makes for big spectacles and audiences made of as well: a need to be included. A big shift came with value in the US and freedom of political speech even thousands of people. Barack Obama’s 2008 election, before which common more so. Due to that, some people might be offended Comedians are also among the sources for the public people had not quite felt so involved in campaigns. But by campaign tactics which cannot be ignored, i.e. to build their opinion on. Though 2016’s Presidential There are different campaigns which benefit from grassroots movements changed it. Suddenly, regular door-to-door campaigns, but they cannot quite Elections might provide an endless chain of Donald this interest and include common people in the people could be a part of public funding; they could argue against them. Others, however, embrace the Trump jokes, it still falls short compared to previous election process, i.e. door-to-door campaigns where simply donate a few dollars and in return they would opportunity to be a part of their presidential race, be years. the candidate or the candidate’s supporters literally get e.g. a sticker. There would always be a specific it by offering a small donation or joining thousands go from one house to the other, knocking on people’s notion that unites people working for grassroot of supporters in a rally to hear their favorite talk. Reaching Out to Their Voters doors and asking for their support. movements, in this case a support for a certain Whichever the case, this year’s elections are taking presidential candidate. One of the biggest grassroots it a little bit further once more and it sure will be a People can form their opinions based on the Nonetheless, the strangest part in which US campaigns has been that of Hillary Clinton which had spectacle for non-Americans to watch and eagerly information they have gained from television and campaigns differ from those in Europe is definitely started even before she announced her intentions to await the results. the Internet. However, candidates themselves try to the data that campaigners gather about their voters, run for president. It has been possible thanks to her reach out to voters by using various tactics to gain as Jessica N. Grounds mentioned in her talk given at their interest and trust. Most of those who live in the Masaryk University. This data varies from getting to Czech Republic and Slovakia have seen politicians on know where people work, what they shop for, what Radka Michaláková Barbara Ocsovayová a couple political talk shows and countless billboards magazines they subscribe to and the list goes on . It all over the country. US Elections work differently. It is might be a bit scary and uncomfortable for a person the universal truth that politicians like to talk a lot and to realize there is a huge amount of data about them. US political candidates are famous for their speeches. However, research shows that people do not mind as

Photo by Helena Brunnerova Photo by Helena Brunnerova Radka is an MA student at the Department of English and American Studies as well as at the Barbara is a BA student of English Language Department of Classical Studies at Masaryk and Literature whose interests lie in the fields University. Predictably enough, she is a huge of literature, American culture, and arts. Her nerd. While often found trying to figure out drawers are therefore full of half-used artistic the meaning of life from Cicero’s or Seneca’s supplies, literary experiments, and loads of writings, she is just as willing to spend hours books just waiting to be read. She hopes to debating the writings of J.K.Rowling. Her travel a lot via volunteering and/or saved up biggest pet peeves are Albus Dumbledore and money from her part-time job, while her three Marcus Licinius Crassus. When in need of a cats eagerly expect her to return home soon. break from pondering the ancient societies, Her current goals are to successfully finish her Radka likes to focus her energy on analyzing studies whilst writing the greatest BA thesis contemporary nations instead, beginning with based on current issues in the US that will surely the U.S. redeem the world one day.

Bernie Sanders’s rally in Brooklyn, Photo Courtesy of Peter Foley/EPA 36 US Elections 2016 US Elections 2016 37

When people vote in a primary, their votes only gain a certain number of delegates for the How to Elect a POTUS candidate. It is the delegates who then officially choose the party nominee at a national convention (explained below). At first, it is important to By Šárka Panochová determine who these delegates are. This is a realm of the parties’ influence: the numbers of delegates, November 8 is only a few months away, the candidates are still fighting for support in the primaries, and the media their categories, and how they are assigned to the are bursting with a constant influx of new material. Even for those who have been following the race for months, candidates varies according to the party you are though, the actual POTUS selection process might be a tough nut to crack. Also, POTUS is not a nasty word. If you looking at. Once again, simply: Both parties have are familiar with the American obsession with acronyms, the fact that they have one for the office of the President a certain number of pledged delegates, whose votes Of The United States should come as no surprise. This article will walk you through the POTUS election process follow the results of the primaries. step by step. In addition, there is also a number of unpledged Photo Courtesy of Lars Plougmann via Wikimedia Commons Warning: Bumpy Road Ahead legislatures as primaries are), and how exactly the delegates. These are known as superdelegates in the one in Philadelphia, PA, in the week of July 25. voting is done. In short, in a caucus there is a lot Democratic Party and can be state party leaders, The delegate counts are known even before the A disclaimer at the beginning: Describing all the more face-to-face contact among the voters so it distinguished members of the party, former and conventions start which means that no big surprises steps of the procedure precisely and concisely at takes longer than a primary where people come current Democratic Governors, etc. Republicans should come out of them. But what if after all the the same time, as was originally intended, would to cast the ballot and go home1 . (For those who award bonus delegates based on how the states primaries no candidate gains the number necessary take up a lot more pages than there are in this are interested, this short video from The Atlantic have voted previously, based on the number of to secure a majority of delegate votes, that is, 1237 magazine. For the sake of brevity, therefore, some nicely summarizes how the Iowa caucus works.) Republican Senators or Representatives, and on the Republican side and 2383 on the Democratic of the details are left out. You are encouraged to Republican Governors,… These delegates can side? In that case a brokered convention ensues. The follow the sources and find the truth on your own. If the state holds a primary, it decides whether it vote for whoever they choose but as they form process is rather complex, but it can be said that in is going to be open or closed. In an open primary, only a fraction of the overall number of delegates a brokered convention, delegate votes are “brokered Step 1: Primaries voters do not have to be registered with either (unsurprisingly different for each party), they through political horse-trading and multiple party to come and vote, they can choose on the have real influence only if the race is very close or ballots5”. The last time this happened was in 1948 day of the primary. In a closed primary, on the during a brokered convention4. The rules are much and 1952 on the Republican and Democratic sides The first step in this process is choosing the party other hand, voters have to be registered to vote more complicated than this brief explanation can respectively, and neither of the party nominees nominees. The candidates campaign in all 50 states with one of the parties to be allowed to cast the convey and not exactly transparent (for example, who came out of them won the general election as their goal is to gain as many votes as possible ballot2. Deadlines for such registrations and for North Dakota’s system is yet again completely later that year. to secure the nomination for themselves. It turns voter registration in general again vary by state different). out, however, that primaries are way more complex (see above). than they seem at first glance: Voting booth, Photo Courtesy of Šárka Panochová Ordinary rank-and-file voters cannot do much Step 3: General Election about this system other than go cast their votes Many of the technical proceedings about the and then simply follow the delegate count as the primary election process are in the hands of the primary season progresses. Here are the delegate Once the nation knows the party nominees, the individual states. States have different voter laws, counts for both Republicans and Democrats. real race for the White House begins. The next they decide when the elections will take place, if ballot people cast is in the general election, which they want a closed or an open primary, and the Step 2: National Conventions is held “on the first Tuesday after the first Monday candidates have to file statements of candidacy in November every fourth year”6. The closest date in each separate state to get on the ballot. Not all that fits this description is November 8, 2016. states, however, are primary states – some hold After all states have held their primaries or caucuses instead. caucuses, the chosen delegates for each party In the general election it does not matter if people go to their respective National Conventions to are registered with a party, they simply need to be The difference between a caucus and a primary is choose their party nominees for President and registered to vote and, as of July 1971, older than 18 in a lot of technicalities such as who calls its date Vice President. This years’ conventions are both (it was actually 21 before that date). Their votes are and who administers it (caucuses are in the hands going to be held in July, the Republican one on recorded, but the final say on who will live in the of the state parties, not in the hands of the state July 18-21 in Cleveland, OH, and the Democratic White House in the four following years formally

1 Coleman, Kevin J., Joseph E. Cantor, and Thomas H. Neale. “Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer.” CRS Report for Congress. 3 Ibid, 9-10. April 17, 2000. pp. 11. 6 Coleman, Kevin J., Joseph E. Cantor, and Thomas H. Neale. “Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer.” CRS Report for Congress. 2 Ibid, 11. April 17, 2000. pp. 38. 38 US Elections 2016 US Elections 2016 39

comes from what is called the Electoral College. state. But some states require it either by state law In fact, citizens vote for electors pledged to their or by pledges to the electors’ respective parties9. Disunited States favorite candidate7. It almost never happens that the electors would It is important to bear in mind that the United go against the people so as a slight exaggeration it States is a collection of 50 states which have Electors are people who are chosen by the could be said that the electors are there only pro considerable levels of autonomy. And it is the state parties as a recognition of their loyalty or forma. The trick is elsewhere… individual states’ laws that regulate many of distinguished service to the party. Each state gets the election procedures. What this means is as many electoral votes as they have representatives Almost all states (except for Nebraska and Maine) that if you lived and voted in one state for in the US Congress, Senators and Representatives have a winner-take-all policy regarding the general thirty years and suddenly moved, you might combined –the number is based on the size of the election. This means that the candidate who wins need to do some research about your new state’s population8. Half the states have less than 8 the simple majority of the popular vote takes all home state’s voter laws, primary system, or electoral votes (3 being the smallest number) and the electoral votes of that state10. Votes cast for the the regulations concerning your electors. only six states have more than 20 votes, the biggest candidate who fails to gain the majority are virtually being California currently with 55. Look here for lost. And it can happen that the US President Directly Indirect this year’s allocation of electoral votes. The magic may be elected by the majority of electoral votes In the whole mess of trying to follow the

number the candidates for President are aiming not winning the majority of the popular vote. As via Wikimedia Commons right rules and not forgetting about all the for is 270, the majority of the 538 electoral votes. dramatic as it sounds, though, this situation has only important dates, it is easy to lose track of Of course there is more to it: recount of electoral occurred a few times in history. The noteworthy the fact that for all the voting, the ordinary votes every ten years, swing states, safe states,... case is the 2000 election of Bush v. Gore. Again, people never actually vote for the candidates If you are interested, there are plenty of details to there is more to it but there are always well-done What Are The Takeaways? directly. In the primaries, they choose read more about. educational videos like this one which can help you delegates for the national convention which navigate through the system. If nothing else, it is enough to remember that selects the nominee, and in the general There is no federal law that requires electors to vote the process is way more complex than may be election, it is the few chosen electors who according to the results of the popular vote in their generally believed and that it is almost beyond a cast the final votes. It is easy to dismiss this mere human’s abilities to get to the bottom of it. hint at indirectness by remembering that

Voted sticker, Photo Courtesy of Which is why there is no shame in letting others the electors mostly follow the popular vote, do the research for you and then just digesting the but there are still the unpledged delegates in information. (Look how Samantha Bee beautifully the primaries and all the “loser” votes in the summarized the early-April controversy about winner-take-all general election… Democratic superdelegates.) Rules Change Last but not least, to add to this beautiful confusion, another disclaimer: Americans Michael Bentley What To Remember About the seem to be quite stubborn about keeping some of their historical legislation, for Election Process instance the Electoral college system (this original idea of the Founding Fathers still appeals to the federal government even Donkey ≠ Elephant though several attempts have been made Each of the parties has its own different to change the system). This is, however, not internal set of rules and procedures for every the case with the rest of the POTUS election step of the way. From the categorization of process. Rules have been changing ever since delegates, to how delegates are awarded to the the first election and change is definitely not candidates, to the way primaries or caucuses a thing of the past! It is enough to trace the work, to the selection of electors, a lot is in history of the primary selection to get the the hands of the parties. And to make it even idea11. more interesting, it is not always the national but often a state party leadership who decides.

7 Ibid, 37. 11 Coleman, Kevin J., Joseph E. Cantor, and Thomas H. Neale. “Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer.” CRS Report for Congress. April 17, 2000. Print. 40 US Elections 2016 US Elections 2016 41

associations, it led to the domination of the JESSICA N. selection process by Trump who was a political GROUNDS The 2016 Elections – How Experts party gadfly (Democrat, Republican, Reform, and Democrat again) until 2012 when he moved back See Them to the Republican Party. Winning about a third of the votes cast in multi-candidate state contests, Politics worldwide is becoming more and more complex, and it is less and less common that approaches and Trump built and continues to build a commanding understandings of related issues concern one point of view only. The current US elections, being widely observed all lead in national convention delegates, regardless of over the world, are no exception to this statement. Hence, we have approached Miloš Gregor – expert on political how hard the Republican Party establishment and marketing, Jessica N. Grounds, specializing in work with women in politics, Professor Charles D. Hadley who its donors work to deprive him of its nomination. comments on political party systems, and Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel who examines the role of minorities, to share their perceptions of the current race. MŠ On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders, a self- described socialist or “democratic socialist,” was officially an Independent who caucused with the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives CHARLES D. HADLEY general election loss to Republican Richard M. Nixon. Reforms were recommended by national and U.S. Senate to receive committee assignments. level political party commissions, and they were He did not “change” political parties to become a Democrat until November 2015 so he could seek written into law and made binding by the fifty Courtesy of Jessica N. Grounds state governments. Political parties gave up their the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination because it was easier to get on the election ballots most important power, the selection of presidential U.S. Political Strategist prepared by the state political parties for caucuses candidates, to party activists who registered to Founder, Solid Grounds Strategy or state governments for primary elections. Hillary vote and participated in the party caucuses (e.g., Co-Founder, Running Start Iowa) or state run primary elections (e.g., New Clinton, of course, is a mainstream establishment Democrat with a very well-funded campaign Hampshire) to select delegates to national party Women voters and issues related to gender are a organization. conventions. The elected delegates are required to hot topic in the 2016 presidential election. The vote for their candidate, e.g., Donald J. Trump or election has had two top women contenders for The unexpected is the 2016 norm. Presidential Hillary Clinton, on the first convention ballot. president for both the Republican and Democratic candidates Trump and Sanders took advantage parties. Even though Carly Fiorina (Republican of the looseness of political party affiliation to The Republican Party reformed its candidate candidate) has dropped out of the competition, it compete for their party’s nomination in caucuses selection process to emulate the Democrats in 2012 was important to have her perspective in the race and primary elections under a system of state (not by using a system of proportional representation and it added a lot of commentary in the news about national) laws that regulate primary elections and (PR) to select national convention delegates in the importance of encouraging more Republican ballot access. A process designed to quickly anoint order to make the process more democratic and women to pursue political careers and run for a Republican presidential candidate unexpectedly interesting. It proved to be all too interesting. office. works to anoint billionaire real-estate magnate and Courtesy of Professor Hadley Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (1 television personality Donald J. Trump. The PR of 11 candidates) had to fight in multi-candidate Hillary Clinton, by far the most experienced University Research Professor Emeritus system used by Democrats keeps Bernie Sanders low voter turnout elections until the very end public leader in the race, still faces questions about Department of Political Science in the race (like it did for Romney’s 10 Republican of the nomination process because PR let all 11 her qualifications and ability to lead the country. The University of New Orleans opponents in 2012) regardless of the fact that he has candidates earn blocs of national convention There is still an undertone of uneasiness by voters no chance to take the nomination away from Hillary delegates. The Democratic Party, on the other about electing a woman president even though What can one learn from the still unfolding Clinton who has momentum and a commanding hand, had incumbent President Barack Obama many voters will not publicly admit their concern. nomination of Republican and Democratic convention delegate lead, especially among “Super who was not opposed for re-election. Hillary Clinton is running her campaign very much candidates for President of the U.S.A.? Through Delegates,” the 18% of the Democratic National 1968 the Democratic and Republican Parties speaking about issues that are uniquely impacting Given its 2012 experience, the Republican Party Convention delegates by elected positions, e.g., selected their nominees in national conventions women’s lives including the wage gap between men reformed its delegate selection process again for Democratic National Committee members, the to compete in the presidential election, sometimes and women, reproductive health care (abortion 2016.* It used PR through February and changed party’s state Governors, its self-selected U.S. House after many rounds of balloting by the assembled rights), paid maternity/paternity leave, paid sick to winner-take-all beginning in March with the of Representative and Senate members, etc. The delegates from the fifty states. But the process leave, and minimum wage, among a number of expectation it would wrap up the nomination Bottom Line: Expect Republican Trump and changed in 1972 because of the controversy other critical issues. She has framed her candidacy process quickly. It is doing just that, but for outsider Democrat Clinton to oppose each other in the over the 1968 presidential nomination of Vice about strengthening American families, a topic Trump rather than very well-funded establishment November general election, and don’t be surprised President Hubert H. Humphrey amidst election that particularly resonates with women. candidates like former Florida Governor Jeb Bush if there is a well-funded third party candidate. challenges, violent street protests outside the In terms of women voters, they will be key to (brother of President George W. Bush). Because winning the election for president. Women voters Democratic National Convention, and a narrow * The commentary was written in late March 2016. political parties in the U.S. are such very loose have been the majority of voters in presidential 42 US Elections 2016 US Elections 2016 43 elections since 1964 and there has been a gender the negative advertisement Daisy which decided of affairs. However, with a pinch of exaggeration, There are two further key factors that will gap (difference in the way men and women vote) the 1964 elections, or Obama’s social media in 2008 it is possible to say that the support that Trump determine the impact of African American since 1980. This traditionally helps Democratic – all this meant a revolution in the use of political has been enjoying is a result of other candidates’ and Hispanic voters. First, the identity of the candidates. For example, there were gender gaps marketing tools; and it also came from the USA. neglect of the white working men. And now they respective presidential and vice-presidential in both of President Obama’s last elections and This year’s elections, nonetheless, do not seem to are paying the price. candidates. Based on past history, the the gaps helped him to win. Garnering support promise to bring any breakthrough in terms of new Democratic Party candidate can most likely among women of all ages will be key. Right now technologies or tools. Yet they are special as well as * The commentary was written in late March 2016. expect the overwhelming support from African Hillary has had an advantage in women supporting new, to some extent. It is mostly due to the mood American voters – since 1964, no Democratic her, although she has seen challenges with young pervading the society, the voters’ behavior and the candidate has received less than 82% of their women voters in some states, like New Hampshire. unpredicted success of certain candidates that were JEFFREY ALAN votes. If Hillary Clinton is the nominee, she not expected to succeed in the first place. VANDERZIEL likely will need above 90% support in this It will be key for all candidates to speak about issues community given her low popularity among uniquely impacting women’s lives, like the wage The democratic candidate Bernie Sanders labels other parts of the electorate, in particular white gap and poverty, which affect women more than himself a socialist. Needles to say, his rhetorics and men. The situation with Hispanic voters is more men in the United States. Recently research has stances really do comply with such statement. Still, complex given the situation in the Republican shown that 90% of Americans think the country is it is Hillary Clinton who leads by a big margin in the Party, where one of the remaining candidates ready to elect a woman president, but only about Democratic camp and for whom facing an active (Donald Trump) has made numerous comments 31% think it is a major priority to elect a woman. rival candidate might turn out only beneficial in perceived by Hispanics as inflammatory (e.g. the end. If it were not for this duel, her Democratic his infamous wall and other negative comments My hope is that women voters will see that voting nomination would be certain and the primaries about immigrants) and another, Ted Cruz, is of for Hillary Clinton will help empower them in their would be her solo ride. However, the media would Cuban descent, although that is not something lives to reach their full potential. turn all their attention to the Republicans which he has particular stressed during this primary could turn fatal for her. After all, the saying – out season. So although Democratic Party candidates * The commentary was written in early March 2016. of sight, out of mind – is especially true of political have consistently received a large majority of the campaigns. Hispanic vote (56-78%), the presence of one of these two candidates on the ticket could have MILOŠ GREGOR Donald Trump has been a long-term Republican unforeseen consequences — negative for Trump front-runner whose populist rhetorics has cost and potentially positive for Cruz. In either case, Courtesy of the Department of English and American Studies some of his rival candidates their places in the the Democratic candidate may well choose to presidential run. They have tried to disrupt the Deputy Head, Department of English and tap a Hispanic politician as their running mate, support he has been receiving by igniting a serious American Studies especially given the fact that the Republican debate, pointing to the emptiness of his words, as Masaryk University in Brno Party convention in Cleveland occurs in mid- well as by using similarly populist proclamations July, while the Democrats do not meet until the as Trump himself. Yet, to no avail. Trump stays One of the key factors in determining the end of that month, giving them the advantage ahead and remains the darling of a whole range of identity of the next president of the United of being able to react to the makeup of the Republican voters. States will be voter turnout among minority Republican ticket. voters, in particular African American and Regardless of the differences between them, Sanders Hispanic voters, who, according to the Pew The second factor is the movement in a number and Trump do have things in common. First, it is Research Center, each make up 12% of eligible of states, including North Carolina, Texas, their populist rhetorics and second, the favor of voters. Together with other minority groups, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to name several, those voters who are disappointed with the current minority voters will make up a record 29% of to require certain types of photo IDs in order situation and who have become disgusted by the the eligible electorate, which is a record for to be able to vote. Recent research by scholars today´s politicians. Moreover, one more factor has the United States.1 It is important to note that at the University of California, San Diego2, Courtesy of Miloš Gregor come to the fore: it has become commonplace for these voters are concentrated in specific parts has indicated that minority voter turnout is Specialist , Department of Political Science individual candidates to try and appeal to specific of the U.S., i.e. African American voters across suppressed by up to 10% in states with these Researcher, International Institute of Political Science target groups. Once, it might be Hispanic voters, the South and in urban centers elsewhere, and types of laws. This could have a critical impact in Masaryk University in Brno another time, it is the African American voters or Hispanic voters across the Southwest, from certain key battleground states like Pennsylvania, women. It is believed – depending on individual Texas to California, meaning that their impact where the Democratic candidate needs a high The United States is a mecca of political states – that these groups can turn decisive when it is magnified and can influence the Electoral minority turnout in order to carry the state and marketing and many historical milestones related comes to victory there. On the other hand, the non- College result in a number of key states such as gain its Electoral College votes. to the political campaigning originated there. minority population has been slightly forgotten. New Mexico, Colorado (Hispanic voters) and Eisenhower’s 1952 TV spots, the tradition of TV Certainly, as in any other case, it is hardly possible in the Rustbelt states of Michigan, Ohio, and * The commentary was written in late April 2016. debates starting with Kennedy and Nixon in 1960, to determine one single cause of the current state Pennsylvania (African American voters).

1 Krogstad, Jens Manuel. “2016 electorate will be the most diverse in U.S. history.” Pew Research Center, February 3, 2016. 2 Hajnal, Zoltan, Nazita Lajevardi and Lindsay Nielson. “Voter Identification Laws and the Suppression of Minority Votes”. Working Paper, UCSD, 2016 44 Brexit Brexit 45

Despite the post-war economic hardship and failure of United States. Indeed, when the public was asked in Churchill’s politics of appeasement with Nazi Germany, 1967 about Britain´s most important international Brexit the Second World War played a vital role in nourishing ally, 68 per cent chose either the United States or the Hamlet’s Dilemma Revisited Euroscepticism. Some European nations stood on Commonwealth. the wrong side, some stayed neutral and others were Written by Natália Poláková conquered, while the legacy of the war gave the British Referendum on Europe 1975 a sense of moral superiority vis-à-vis the other nations. On June 23 Britons will step into Hamlet’s shoes and face a difficult question: “To be or not to be in the Thus, the war is sometimesperceived as the country’s Finally, Britain entered into the European EU?” The debate about Brexit, the potential withdrawal of Britain from the EU, has been heating up since “finest hour”. Even though in the aftermath of the war Community (EC) in 1973 but without consulting British Prime Minister David Cameron proposed a “better deal” for Britain in 2013. The campaign was Churchill keenly advocated reconciliation of France the public. It is important to note that the “Party of largely overshadowed by the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum but since then the arguments for and Germany and called for the “United States of the Brexit have evolved into a fierce fight between the “inners” and the “outers”. Europe”, he did not intend to include Britain in the “Europe will be stronger precisely unification process. He recognized her uneasy position perplexed inside the famous “three circles” – United because it has France as France, Spain Introduction Ups and Downs in the UK-EU Europe, United States and British Empire giving the as Spain, Britain as Britain, each with its relationship priority to the latter two. He stated that “if Britain own customs, traditions and identity.” must choose between Europe and the open sea, she The rise of the extreme right-wing United Kingdom must always choose the open sea”. His words resonate Independence Party (UKIP) following the 2008 The British phenomenon of Euroscepticism has been even today emphasizing liberal trade and criticism of Europe” tirelessly negotiating the entrance was the economic crisis reflected disenchantment with subject to many political and cultural studies. The the excessive EU regulations. However, is the “open Conservative Party, the very same one calling for the EU values in Britain. A loss of confidence in the latter mostly explored the issue of island mentality sea” a safe option in the stormy world? withdrawal from the EU today. The first years of the policies and the concept of the EU itself is now widely where the English Channel acts as a psychological EC membership were anything but a rosy picture. The understood under the term Euroscepticism. Where barrier to relate with Europe. Some of the Britons While European nations sought to establish the rising oil and food prices stipulated the Eurosceptic are these Eurosceptic tendencies in Britain coming may suffer from this sea-sickness even today given European Economic Community (EEC), Britain Labour party to deliver populist speeches about the from? Who is the Eurosceptic “outer” and who is the a very low percentage of the supporters of European confidently protected its colonial interests, most ineffectiveness and high cost of EC membership and Europhile “inner”? What are the possible outcomes identity. In fact only one in eight Britons states to notably by intervening in the Suez Canal in 1956. The in 1975 the UK faced the Referendum on Europe. The of the referendum and above all, what does Cameron feel “European” and this attitude seems unchanging. operation triggered a world-wide outrage, especially in mainstream press was mostly pro-Europe biased and want from the EU? No wonder Britain has always been labelled as the thought to be manipulated by the Conservatives and “awkward partner”. The “Party of Europe” tirelessly big enterprises, who advocated the importance of the This article provides a historical overview of the EC for British economy and trade. The history repeats rocky relationship between the UK and the EU History negotiating the entrance was the itself and the same arguments may be found in the and explores pro-European and anti-European Conservative Party, the very same one current debate but with the Conservatives pushing sentiments in the current debate. It tries to explain Looking further into British history and the calling for the withdrawal from the EU for Brexit or Labourists wanting to stay in. glory days of Pax Britannica, Great Britain always today. represented a Balance of Power, a sort of authority Even Margaret Thatcher, later a prominent Only one in eight Britons states to feel watching over the political developments in the Eurosceptic, was in favour of Britain staying in, “European”. world rather than associating with individual the United States, and cost Britain the last drops of her saying: “Everyone should turn out in this referendum countries. Moreover, it promoted trade partnerships super power status. Thus, the Suez crisis is considered and vote yes, so that the question is over once and for with its colonial empire, not continental Europe, also as the moment of Britain´s gradual turn, in the terms all, we are really in Europe, and ready to go ahead”. the core of British Euroscepticism and its evolution discouraged by the earlier continental blockade of of politics and trade, toward continental Europe. Fifteen years later she would not have given green as well as the uniqueness of British media which in Napoleonic France. However, this could not be said Moreover, the British disease1 was becoming very light to go ahead. Furthermore, on the referendum many cases hide their biased opinions and exaggerate of the political ties with Europe as Queen Victoria, painful. So was the road to the EEC after the initial day the Daily Mail warned the voters with this the impacts of EU membership on Britain. A wide “Grandmother of Europe”, was related to most of the rejection of the Rome Treaty in 1958 when Britain scary headline: “A day in the life of Siege Britain: range of studies have been chosen and evaluated to royal families on the continent. British unshakable virtually missed the boat. Its two applications to enter NO COFFEE, WINE, BEANS OR BANANAS, TILL cover the discussion of the upcoming referendum. geopolitical position came to an end with two World were repeatedly vetoed by French President Charles FURTHER NOTICE”. Whether it was fear of the Whether you are an “inner” or an “outer”, do not Wars, which left Britain insolvent, giving away its de Gaulle in 1963 and 1967, who did not conceal unknown or a thorough economic evaluation of the let any scepticism bite off the pleasure of reading hegemony to America as a new world superpower. his hostility toward Britain and considered her the EC membership, in the end two thirds of Britons this article! “Trojan horse” with a “special relationship” with the voted to stay in.

1 A term coined to express British relative political and economic decline. 46 Brexit Brexit 47

Rise of Euroscepticism the worst day of the UK-EU relations. Some people say Thatcher’s negative attitude toward the EU When Thatcher won the elections in 1979, she toppled her as leader despite the fact that it was set out to renegotiate the terms of membership her who took Britain further into the EU than any because British financial contributions to the EC other prime minister. She resented the negotiations budget were thought to be too high given the poor about the Maastricht Treaty and remained critical state of British economy. After years of arguing, of EU integrationist policies for the rest of her the rockiest moments of the UK-EU relations, life. However, John Major voluntarily signed the she finally “got her money back” in the form Maastricht Treaty in 1992. Though the UK won the of British rebate in 1984. However, the biggest essential opt-outs from the single currency and the boost to British Euroscepticism came in the 80’s social chapter, the treaty allowed an “ever-closer when European Commissioner Jacques Delors union” leading to the creation of the Eurosceptic spoke to trade unions about harmonizing social political party UKIP.

In 1997 Tony Blair signed up Britain to the The Suez crisis is considered as the social chapter and guaranteed worker’s rights moment of Britain´s gradual turn, in making enemies among big enterprises with the the terms of politics and trade, toward Independent marking him as “dishonest”. His stance was more pro-European and he even agreed continental Europe. to reduce the British rebate in order to finance the 2004 EU enlargement. The popular British policies and working rights, a very delicate matter rebate negotiated by Thatcher became instantly a in Britain given the outcomes of the 70’s trade very unpopular issue. He was “accused” of selling Nigel Farage in European Parliament, © European Union 2011 PE-EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari union strikes. out Britain by the Guardian while the Daily Mail stated “We should demand our money back - again”. phenomenon persists in the British political culture Delors’ plan was believed to prompt Thatcher’s Indeed, Britain has always been more supportive What is UKIP? since the early integration process proposals but Eurosceptic stance and in her Bruges speech she of the enlarged EU rather than the centralised Leader: Nigel Farage at the same time has changed the right and left emphasized the importance of British sovereignty EU. While deepening the EU threatened British Founded: 1993 spectrum preferences. Mostly Europhile Tories stating that “We have not successfully rolled sovereignty, the enlargement meant inflow of Political position: right-wing from the 70’s and 80’s hopped on the Eurosceptic back the frontiers of the state in Britain, only to economic migrants from central and eastern Ideology: right-wing populism, hard boat with “captain” Thatcher in the 90’s while the see them re-imposed at a European level with a Euroscepticism, Thatcherism, liberalism initially anti-European Labour found European European super-state exercising a new dominance House of Commons: 1 seat out of 650 social policies fitting in their manifestos. from Brussels.” She additionally declared that “If Britain must choose between Europe European Parliament: 22 seats out of 73 “Europe will be stronger precisely because it has and the open sea, she must always Key argument: withdrawal of Britain from the France as France, Spain as Spain, Britain as Britain, choose the open sea”. EU each with its own customs, traditions and identity.” In 2015 the Conservatives proposed Today Thatcher is the inspiration for Eurosceptics “The EU is only the biggest symptom of the immigration curbs and a four-year-ban and even the term Euroscepticism was coined in Europe, the very thorn in the British side today. real problem – the theft of our democracy by a on welfare benefits to EU migrants. popular press to describe her anti-EU sentiments. powerful, remote political ’elite’ which has forgotten The 2008 global financial crisis and Eurozone that it’s here to serve the people.” It is, therefore, hard to believe that the same debt crisis triggered the Eurosceptic movement In 2005 David Cameron presented himself as a

Thatcher helped to create the Single European around the entire EU, most notably represented by Source: UKIP “traditional Eurosceptic” to become the Tory Market constituted by the first pillar of today’s Britain’s UKIP, France’s Front National, Italy’s Five party leader modernising the party image as well EU. Before Thatcher’s resignation in 1990 her own Star Movement or Greece’s Syriza. The UKIP under Tories versus EU: What does David as bringing up the question of Europe on top of party forced her to take the sterling into European Nigel Farage’s leadership saw major support in the Cameron want from Europe? Conservative agenda – again. The ratification of Monetary System, the predecessor of Eurozone, 2014 European Parliament elections (29 per cent) the 2007 Lisbon Treaty under Blair’s leadership from which two years later Britain was forced to as well as in the 2015 general elections where its The history suggests that there is nothing like raised the voices in the Conservative cabinet withdraw on what is known as Black Wednesday, support rose to 12,6 per cent. a deep-rooted sort of Euroscepticism. The with Cameron declaring: “If I become PM, a 48 Brexit Brexit 49

Conservative government will hold a referendum four-year-ban on welfare benefits to EU migrants. In the right of EU citizens to work in other countries The referendum opinion polls suggest that the on any EU treaty.” Since his victory in the 2010 a letter to Donald Tusk, President of the European should be restricted compared to only 27 per British public is in the Europe question deeply general election he has been confronted with the Council, Cameron set out his four objectives to be cent who do not. The overwhelming majority of divided. According to the YouGov polls, voting Eurosceptic ranks of his own cabinet and the rising achieved in the subsequent negotiations for Britain’s respondents (73 per cent) agree that EU citizens intentions have numerously changed since the UKIP. special status. should be allowed to receive welfare benefits only question was posed for the first time in 2011. in their country of origin. Britons think that EU Before Cameron’s speech on Europe, a vast In January 2013 Cameron delivered a famous He demanded economic governance where citizens are gaining from EU labour movement, majority wanted to leave the EU but since then the speech on Europe proposing a “better deal” for countries outside the Eurozone would not be “inners” have been keeping track with the “outers”. Britain and Europe mostly in terms of reduced discriminated in EU negotiations and the UK would Furthermore, migration crisis frustrations and not have to contribute to the Eurozone bailouts. 56 per cent of Britons think that the extensive Brexit media coverage have brought the Obscurity of the “open sea” poses the The second objective included competitiveness right of EU citizens to work in other two camps even closer together. On the other hand, as a reduction in excessive financial regulations, countries should be restricted. the Financial Times opinion polls from April 1 question whether Britain is safer inside while the third key point proposed immigration show that there is twelve percent of yet undecided or outside the EU. “emergency brake” to restrict in-work and out-of- voters who may potentially swing the outcome work benefits to EU migrants. The last objective one of the basic EU laws, at their expense as jobs, of the EU referendum. The Telegraphalso warns focused on sovereignty and Britain exempt from housing and social services should belong to British that some opinion polls are “wrong” as phone polls regulations and pledging to hold a referendum on further EU treaties leading to “ever-closer union”. nationals first. To be precise,the Migration Watch suggest a 17 per cent lead for Remain while online EU membership by 2017. Though described as a UK warns that the densely populated UK, especially polls have it at just two per cent. Given the number Eurosceptic, Cameron himself did not back the The UK-EU settlement was reached earlier this England, has a chronic shortage of housing due to of undecided voters and the inability of the polls to Brexit saying that “Britain’s national interest is best year but Cameron managed to get only a part high immigration levels. predict the results, the outcome of the referendum served in a flexible, adaptable and open European of the concessions – a four-year ban on welfare may be a genuine surprise. Union and that such a European Union is best benefits in case of “exceptional migration levels” with Britain in it.“ The Guardian reacted to the and an exemption from taking part in European speech calling Cameron as “a modern-day heretic” “superstate”. While he insists the deal will “make a challenging “established thinking”, while the Sun difference”,the Financial Times consider it “flimsy” pointed out that he had rescheduled his speech in and a number of critics say that Cameron’s plans case he “offended” the Germans and French as the won’t tackle the immigration issue, a major public’s initial date clashed with the 50th anniversary of the concern, at all as most migrants are either single Franco-German peace treaty. He would not have or young couples without children unable to claim received a positive feedback with this statement: benefits. Along with the EU deal prime minister set “… today the main, over-riding purpose of the the date of the referendum on June 23. European Union is different: not to win peace, but to secure prosperity“. However, the current According to the Ipsos Mori issue index released migration crisis and recent terrorist attacks in Paris this February, 46 per cent of respondents think and Brussels may have slipped economic incentives immigration is the most important issue facing on the side lines and the obscurity of the “open sea” poses the question whether Britain is safer inside Mostly Europhile Tories from the 70’s or outside the EU. and 80’s hopped on the Eurosceptic boat Later that year Cameron brought up the issue of with “captain” Thatcher in the 90’s. immigration claiming “it is too easy to be a migrant in Britain” and criticising the “soft touch” of the previous Labour government. The Migration Britain compared to some 20 percent for whom Watch UK says that an extra 3.6 million foreign the crucial point is the Europe question and the migrants arrived under Labour. Since then economy issue respectively. Furthermore, the Policy immigration remains the crucial argument in Network, a centre-left think tank, states that public cherishing Eurosceptic tendencies and in 2015 the Euroscepticism assumed an “anti-EU migration Conservatives proposed immigration curbs and a dimension”. In fact 56 per cent of Britons think that

Courtesy of YouGov.com 50 Brexit Brexit 51

Campaign Dangers of the Brexit New Opportunities for Britain Britain Stronger in Europe KEY POINTS Vote Leave Prime Minister’s Warnings Better place to live in Britain gets £66 billion of Trade, investments and jobs The UK can easily secure new free investments every day from EU trade deals with other countries “Let us remember, this isn’t some abstract question. “[Mass migration] into Britain on this scale is countries. The EU is an important such as China, India or America. These are actually people’s jobs, people’s livelihoods, not good for our country. It is not good for our export market for 80 percent of The EU will likely establish a free people’s life chances, people’s families we are talking quality of life, it is not good for social cohesion in small business and around three trade agreement with the UK as it about. I say: don’t put them at risk, don’t take this our society, and our population inexorably headed million jobs are connected to UK’s is EU’s largest export partner. leap in the dark.” towards 70m or 75m will not make this a better, exports. Leaving means losing richer or happier place to be ... Surely one of the investments and jobs for UK David Cameron first duties of the British government should be to workers. do everything within their power to protect our people from the horrors that we saw in Paris and Benefits of the EU are worth Cost of Europe The EU now costs the UK over the indignities that we saw in Cologne. The best £3,000 a year to the average UK £350 million each week – nearly and the safest way for us to attempt to prevent such household. The EU membership £20 billion a year. If the UK leaves, things is to leave the EU and to take back control means lower prices for UK families it can use this money to invest into of our borders.” as it is cheaper to trade and there is education, science or healthcare. wider choice. If the UK leaves, the EU regulation costs UK businesses Nigel Farage cost of imports could rise by at least over £600 million every week. £11 billion, leaving families out of pocket as prices rise. Disaster for science Bringing back the money

Leaving the EU does not mean Immigration The EU immigration policy is an “Increased funding has raised greatly the level of “The UK could end austerity if it left the EU by reduced immigration. Countries “immoral, expensive and out of European science as a whole and of the UK ... we now reinvesting the money spent on contributions in the that trade with the EU from the control system”. It puts UK’s welfare recruit many of our best researchers from continental economy and the NHS [National Healthcare System].” outside have higher immigration system, schools and hospitals under Europe, including younger ones who have obtained levels from the EU countries than pressure. EU migrants block people EU grants...” John Redwood, Conservative MP Britain. from non-European countries who could contribute to UK’s economy Stephen Hawking and the Royal Society more.

UK workers get vital protections Sovereignty EU law is supreme over UK law. Norther Ireland’s calling for trouble Uncivilised Europe due to EU membership including This stops British public from guaranteed holiday, maternity being able to vote out those who “It’s Northern Ireland that will really get whacked if “Extremists are on the rise in Europe and are being leave, and protection from make UK’s laws. The Eurozone has Britain withdrew from the European Union.” fuelled unfortunately by the Euro project and by the discrimination. a permanent voting majority and centralisation of power in Brussels. It is increasingly can always outvote the UK. Bill Clinton, former US president important that Britain offers an example of civilised, democratic, liberal self-government.” At international summits Britain is Influence The UK has no independent voice represented twice – by the foreign in the World Trade Organization. Dominic Cummings, Conservative special adviser secretary and the EU. The UK can retake seats in on education international institutions

Sources: Britain Stronger in Europe, Vote Leave

Brexit has not only become a British issue but has also raised global awareness of the situation within the EU. Have a look at what people have said about Brexit. 52 Brexit Brexit 53 Courtesy of

A threat to British expats The sinking Titanic YouGov.com “British expatriates can lose a range of specific rights “Britain’s escape from the EU Titanic, combined to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare with America emerging from eight years of folly this and public services that are only guaranteed because November, could revitalise the West as a whole.” of EU law.” John Bolton, former US Ambassador to the United UK Cabinet Office Nations

Putin’s catching in the rye Canadian dream

“Those slippery Brits are still quite good at foreign “I think we can strike a deal as the Canadians have policy and give some spine to all the other Euro- done based on trade and getting rid of tariffs. It’s a jellyfish, eg on Ukraine and sanctions ... An EU very, very bright future I see ... We want a relationship without the UK’s ’rule of law’ nit-picking will be based on trade and cooperation. The idea of being a weaker model for good governance and so less subject to the single judicial system is the problem.” attractive to other former Soviet republics. Every little helps.” Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

The Kremlin, Russian Government

Commonwealth backs UK’s leadership Overcrowded Europe

“We certainly think it’s a stronger position for Britain “I think maybe it’s time, especially in light of what’s to be in Europe. We see Europe as an extremely happened, with the craziness that’s going on with the important continent that needs strong leadership. migration, with people pouring in all over the place.” We think Britain provides that leadership.”

John Key, New Zealand Prime Minister Donald Trump

American interests Like American independence

“Having the United Kingdom in the European Union “By leaving the EU we can take control. Indeed we can gives us much greater confidence about the strength of show the rest of Europe the way to flourish. Instead the transatlantic union ... We want to make sure that of grumbling and complaining about the things we Nature of Eurosceptic Voters the EU membership is “bound up in SNP’s vision of the United Kingdom continues to have that influence.” can’t change and growing resentful and bitter, we can independence”. The Scots are in fact more likely to demand shape an optimistic, forward-looking and genuinely The first thing you may have noticed is a marked split independence from the UK, not the EU, which may be Barrack Obama internationalist alternative to the path the EU is going in the Eurosceptic tendencies in different counties. a safer option in case another Scottish Independence down. We can show leadership. Like the Americans Scotland and Wales strike with green colour with Referendum takes place. If Europhilia is a product of who declared their independence and never looked Aberdeen and Edinburgh coming second and ninth in Scottishness, then is the red-coloured England, depicted back, we can become an exemplar of what an inclusive, the rank respectively, partly due to more left-leaning as highly Eurosceptic, a possible product of Englishness? open and innovative democracy can achieve.“ political traditions as well as Scottish nationalism seen According to the Chatham House, an independent policy in the 2015 general election where the majority voted the institute, voters feeling “very strong English” are more Michael Gov, Justice Secretary Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP). However, some experts likely to vote “out” than the “not at all English” voters. argue that Scotland is by no means Europhile because 54 Brexit Student Interview 55

YouG ov points out that apart from Scotland, Wales and younger compared to 33 per cent and 24 per cent cosmopolitan, liberal London, many Europhile areas are respectively in the case of the “inners” affirming university towns such as Liverpool, Manchester, York, the educational and age split between the two The Czech Sock in Bristol Oxford or Bristol with younger generations present, which camps. Further, 72 per cent claim to be “very An Interview with Chris White lead us to the social rank of Europhiles. They tend to be dissatisfied” with EU democracy and the majority either university graduates or higher income citizens as shows considerably negative attitudes toward Euroscepticism partly correlates with lower income. On immigration. 68 per cent think immigration is Written by Blanka Šustrová the other hand, the “outers” tend to live in often “left bad for Britain’s economy and 79 per cent see it Edited by Martina Krénová behind” areas such as the Thames Estuary, declining coal as a burden on welfare state, which corresponds mining regions or seaside towns where qualifications are to the key arguments of the “leave camp” of the Studying English language at university is not unusual these days for non-native speakers. But what if a young poorer and work less skilled. Thus, divisions may actually referendum debate. Anti-immigration sentiments English-speaking man from Bristol decides to devote his college years to studying Czech language? It was a pleasure be only a gap in social class, education and age. As the are felt also on the identity and culture basis where to ask Chris White what had led him to this decision, how he found the language and what the department of Czech Policy Network suggests, working class people are “typical 73 per cent believe that immigration undermines studies in Bristol looked like. losers from globalisation processes”, therefore, the ones British culture. voting to leave. You are studying Czech language at University of look at it), Bristol could not timetable my modules

Source: Chatham House Bristol. Why did you decide to go for a language that without a clash, so I had to sacrifice one of Czech only has some ten million speakers? or German, and German was always going be the Typical “outer” one to go. Natália Poláková I wish I had some edgy, wacky reason for choosing Gender: Male Czech, but I have to admit that it is in large part I am definitely glad I have kept Czech; it is a tiny Age: 60+ because I am half Czech, and figured it was about department at Bristol so you get to know the Education: Left school after O-levels time I learnt the language. I have also studied lecturers really well and they are all lovely. Plus Class: C2 Russian for about 9 years, which is a related the opportunity to do a semester abroad in the Skilled manual worker language so I knew it would help my Czech. I think Czech Republic is way more unique than going to Region: East Anglia Slavonic languages are brilliant so I hope Czech is Germany or Austria. Party: UKIP not the last I will learn. What does your study programme look like? Do you Source: The Telegraph, based on YouGov data Ironically I almost did not major in Czech. In my also study linguistics, literature and Czech culture? first semester I found out it would be possible for Typical “inner” me to do Czech language as part of the Russian Our study programme consists of about 3 hours

Photo by Helena Brunnerova wing of my degree, which would have allowed me of Czech language tuition per week, plus a couple Gender: Female to switch to German, which I studied at A-Level. of hours of non-language units that we can choose Age: 18 – 29 Natália Poláková is a BA student of English Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you from a selection of Czech literature, politics, Education: Degree Language and Literature as well as Economic Policy. She loves getting lost in the world and Class: AB looking for new adventures and challenges. She High/ Intermediate prefers alternative ways of travelling including managerial, administrative or professional hitchhiking, camping or couchsurfing. She Region: Scotland speaks multiple foreign languages and plans Party: Green to learn ten more to avoid a language barrier

Source: The Telegraph, based on YouGov data in exotic places. In her free time she works as an English teacher and occasionally as an Little more statistics about “outers” entertainer in a kids club. Apart from British politics, she is interested in the Middle East According to British Election Study, 49 per cent region, Latin American economic development of the “outers” are right-wing oriented compared and ideology of liberalism. During her long journeys she reads magic realism, Salman to 20 per cent of the “inners” which confirms the Rushdie and Gabriel García Marquéz being her “outers” follow mostly the UKIP or Conservatives. favourite writers. 48 per cent are 55+ and left school at 16 or Photo Courtesy of Chris White Photo Courtesy of Chris White 56 Student Interview Student Interview 57 sociology etc. The actual language itself only counts wrap my head around as a non-Slav has to be verb I think I was prepared for the culture thanks to my I wish I knew! I know I would like to use my for a third of my degree credits, which irritates me aspects, but that would be equally difficult for me in Czech relatives and a trip to Prague a few years ago, languages in some capacity once I have graduated, because it is by far my strongest academic thing and any Slavic language as it is in Czech. A lot of people but I think everyone has a wave of homesickness about but beyond that I do not know. I would like to do a I am quite bad at essays, particularly timed ones! I have spoken to find the pronunciation challenging, a month into your semester abroad. Once I got over masters and then see where I stand I guess. Czech but I can say “ř” without much difficulty, and that though I was fine. Probably the hardest thing might not be much use to me in the job world but I Last year I took a unit on Czech gender relations and besides that it is okay. I love how Czech words for me was working out how to spend my downtime am definitely glad I chose it! an introductory literature module. I really enjoyed have fixed stress on the first syllable; Russian stress without my Xbox or my guitar which I tragically had both, but made the fatal error of writing my literature moves around without warning and it is an absolute to leave in the UK! coursework on Němcová’s Babička, which is one horror to get right, particularly when stressing the Chris White of the most boring books I have ever read! Am I wrong syllable changes the meaning of the word! I I did have one or two moments where I found myself allowed to say that? am about to head off to Siberia for a semester and at odds with the xenophobia a lot of Czechs have not I already know I will say “I am pissing” (which quite grown out of yet, but I was expecting that to be sounds the same as the Czech “píšu”) rather than honest. At the end of the day, the Czechs are reserved I love how Czech words have fixed “I am writing” (which is still “pišú” but has the in a way that reminds me a lot of the Brits, and they stress on the first syllable; Russian stress on the second syllable) by mistake at least are always up for a beer, so what is not to like! (laughs). once while I am there! stress moves around without warning What is your favourite aspect of Czech culture? and it is an absolute horror to get right, Usually at British universities there are student clubs particularly when stressing the wrong and societies associated with the particular colleges. I just adore Czech beer, both the taste and the price! syllable changes the meaning of the Does something like this also exist within the Czech Why is it that you can pay £4+ for a pint of Carlsberg department? in a UK pub when less than a pound in the Czech word. Republic will buy you an infinitely better beer?! Yep, I founded it! (laughs). For a long time at Bristol You have said that the Czech department in Bristol is there has been a society called SlavSoc, but that is quite small. How many students and teachers do you really just for Russian students despite its name, so Němcová’s Babička is one of the most have? What does the entrance exam look like? my lecturer Jana Nahodilová and I (well, mainly boring books I have ever read! Am I Jana!) decided we should form a breakaway Czech allowed to say that? Yes, it is very small. Czech language for beginners Society, so I did just that! is available as an open unit to all language students Photo Courtesy of Chris White so there is normally about 30 people per year doing We are called Ponožka, a pun based on the trend to For a nation of its size Czech cinema is very good. I Chris White is a student of Czech and Russian that, but I was the only person in my year majoring call societies SomethingSoc. Get it? Sock? (laughs). have watched plenty of Czech films at Bristol and in at University of Bristol, hailing from (near to) in it last year, so there were more lecturers than Yeah it is a dreadful pun, but we are such a small Brno, and they have all been entertaining. It was a sunny Liverpool. He spent 5 months working students! That sounds a bit depressing, but I love the society that it suits us to have a non-serious name, somewhat surreal experience watching Pelíšky with at MU as an office assistant at the CEITEC chance to do one on one classes with the lecturers, and almost everyone so far has liked the name so my ex-girlfriend and her mum and hearing those biochemistry labs on the main campus. At the you get a much more personal learning experience. it is here to stay for now. two quote pretty much every single line of the film by moment, he is enjoying Tomsk in the sunnier heart, but I gather that film is a bit of a Czech classic! part of Siberia, studying Russian for a semester at Tomsk Polytechnic University before coming And the entrance exam? What entrance exam? We are open for both Czech students and Czechs My overall favourite book is actually probably The back for a final year at Bristol. (laughs). Most courses at most unis do not have studying at Bristol, so it works for both parties: Unbearable Lightness of Being (by Milan Kundera), entrance exams, we are normally admitted based on Czech students can get more involved in the culture but I have only read that in English; reading Czech One of the rare breed of Northerners amongst our A-Level results. I think Oxbridge have entrance and the people, and it lets Czechs here find someone fiction is pretty exhausting with my current vocab Bristol’s sea of private schooled home-counties exams, but you know – “ain’t nobody got time for who speaks their language when they are getting level, but I definitely want to get my teeth into Czech Oxbridge rejects, Chris enjoys being blunt about t h a t ”. fed up with English. We just do little events like literature in the future. things, being a chirpy unintelligible Scouser, meeting for drinks and watching Czech films, but daytime drinking, and boring his friends about What aspect of the Czech language do you find the this April we are having a trip to Prague, which will Czech humour? Yeah I am not sure I will ever grasp whichever foreign language he has just looked most difficult? be by far the biggest Ponožka event so far. that! (laughs). up on Wikipedia. He also likes heavy metal, Formula One, football and video games in his spare time. Good question! I do not find it too hard to be Did you experience any cultural clash after coming What would you like to do when you finish school? A honest, I think the most difficult concept for me to here for the internship? What struck you the most? translator? An ambassador? A teacher? 58 Letter from Abroad Letter from Abroad 59

enough professors and courses to considerably an Aggie by now, is that, in conclusion, I want to broaden my horizons. After all, it is not very common highlight how special it is to study at an American A Czech among (Czech) Texans for Czech students of English to study the material university campus – if you get a chance to study and print culture of the texts they read, or to get to abroad, especially in North America, do take it and By Jan Beneš work with Shakespeare’s actual First Folio. enjoy yourself. You will attend courses that you have only dreamt of, and do research (if only for your final Graduate-level classes are smaller than in Brno essays) that is close to your heart and not limited „Howdy,“ calls out the professor, and the lecture room, filled with one hundred and fifty students dressed as 15 students is the maximum number allowed. by the resources at your disposal in Brno. You will in maroon or donning a piece of clothing with “Aggies” on it, quickly responds with another “Howdy.” I have taken courses where there were as few as experience a culture unlike any other – with all its The class may now begin. 5 of us, and they were some of the best courses I positives (and some negatives, especially when your have ever attended. The distribution of courses at football team loses). Welcome to College Station, Texas, a place you have The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to A&M is different than in Brno: you must take one probably never heard of. It is home to the Texas A&M study at a renowned college, earn an MA degree, course in pre-1660 lit, one in 1660-1900, one global/ University, the first public university in Texas, and and learn what it is like to be an Aggie. Almost transnational, one about a topic/theme, and one in Jan Beneš 58,577 students called Aggies, who all use “Howdy” everything is paid for, and I get to be both a student theory. You can also choose whether you want to as an official greeting. The A&M campus is one of and a teaching assistant at A&M. finish your degree with an exam, or a thesis. The the largest in the United States, housing one of five non-thesis option is often preferred by those of largest public universities in the country. To top off Studying at A&M my colleagues here, who wish to pursue their PhD. the superlatives, the campus now boasts the largest I opted for the thesis, because over the course of American football stadium in the state of Texas The choice to come here was not difficult, to be writing one of my final papers, I came across the with capacity over 100,000 seats. Texas A&M is a honest. Having been an exchange student at the intriguing topic of African American aviation and university with rich history, numerous traditions that University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2009- I want to explore it further. The English department make no sense to outsiders, and Czech connections. 10, I knew I wanted to go back to the US and take at A&M has even been kind enough to provide me courses where I would be pushed to do my best and with funds to go do archival research on aviation do research that I could not normally do in Brno. in Chicago. So, I get to dig in archives, which is How does one end up in College Although the emphasis at the English department extremely exciting in and of itself, and visit Chicago. Station? at A&M is on digital humanities, and medieval and That is why I came here (American football was the early modern periods – oh, by the way, I forgot to other reason, really). mention that the A&M library is the official archive You would not believe how many people of of George R.R. Martin’s works, and the actual Iron Gig’Em Czech(oslovak) ancestry live in Texas: just in Throne from the GoT series will be on display here College Station, there are numerous streets named once the show is done (!) – I have been able to find As mentioned above, Aggies are a traditional bunch after Czechoslovak migrants. The official sausage of and one of their most revered traditions, along with the Fightin’ Texas Aggies is Slováček sausage from tailgating (google it) before sporting events, is the Jan in front of the Texas State Capitol in Austin. Photo courtesy Snook, and there is an annual “Kolache Festival” Aggie Ring Day, during which graduating seniors get of Jan Beneš in Caldwell, a town not far from College Station. to buy a ring for $1,200 (female students pay “only” Jan Beneš earned his bachelor degree in When I go to meetings at the department here, it is around $650). Family and friends come to College European Studies and International Relations common to have “kolache” served for snack and it Station to celebrate the moment with the students, at the Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk took me a while – battling some eye-rolling – to teach who then get to wear one of the most recognizable University in Brno and holds master’s degrees in my colleagues to stop saying “kolaches” for plural. pieces of jewelry in the US. An unofficial tradition English Language and Literature and in English- The Czechs, Czech cuisine, Czech dances are connected with the Aggie Ring Day is that of drinking language Translation. He spent two semesters everywhere in Texas and I get to spread the Czech a pitcher of flat beer in one go – or something like studying at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and is currently studying at Texas love even further by teaching Czech classes for that. At any rate, there is plenty of traditions to go A&M. His research activities focus mostly on the Brazos Valley Czech Heritage Society, an around at A&M. African American literature during the Harlem organization closely associated with the Czech Renaissance. Outside of academics, he enjoys Educational Foundation of Texas, which offers the Gig’Em – it basically means good bye, but also stands watching American football on the collegiate Hlavinka Fellowship to Czech doctoral students of for “go get them.” The reason I am using it here, and professional level. English from the Masaryk and Palacký universities. apart from perhaps having become too much of

Aggie rings. Photo Courtesy of Rachelle Cates 60 Podcasts Podcasts 61

common radio or TV broadcast and podcast is to can educate us about particular topics and the do with accessibility. While traditional broadcast is most common way tends to be via discussion. Stuff Podcast: THE Medium for the usually aired once on a specific station at a specific You Should Know is a prime example of that as it Millennial Generation time, podcast episodes, while usually uploaded offers hundreds of episodes, each concerned with according to a certain schedule, are accessible a certain phenomenon that may seem mundane or By Tereza Walsbergerová to any user at any time – either by streaming the even boring at first sight, but usually turns out to content online on multiple different platforms, such be fascinating. For instance, there is an episode on as Soundcloud, YouTube, Stitcher, Libsyn or Podbay, crop circles, which contains both rumoured and In the last five years the popularity of radio podcasts had risen to the point where even Stephen Colbert or by downloading it into a device via RSS feed, such actual history of the phenomenon as well as real life acknowledged them on CBS’s The Late Show. What is so special about this seemingly mysterious and as iTunes. Additionally, although the etymology of anecdotes and references to topical events. Those underground medium and why one may consider it the ideal medium for the millennial generation? the word (podcast = iPod + broadcast) suggests who are curious about the inner workings of some of This article offers a brief introduction to the ins and outs of podcast with a focus on radio podcasting in relation to Apple products, users do not actually have the more “everyday” matters may also be interested America. to worry about having to sell their soul to the devil in episodes about topics such as x-rays, the placebo for a subscription (as they might sometimes have effect, drag queens, yawning, or the general evolution As attention spans grow shorter and the demand for answer can be found among the essential needs of to in case of TV) as most podcast providers strive of language. more diverse and instantaneously accessible content the generation itself – it is all about accessibility, to make their programmes accessible on multiple grows stronger, traditional broadcast media cannot independence, and diversity. Podcast is the epitome platforms. One can safely say that the news and politics keep up any more, which has consequently created of these things. category overlaps the most with radio broadcast more space for new media to flourish and evolve. Just Furthermore, another advantage of podcast besides out of all the podcast categories on iTunes (some like the previous generations, the “baby boomers” According to the Macmillan Dictionary, podcast is its accessibility is its independence. Despite the fact commercial networks even upload their programmes and “generation X”, thrived on their consumption “a multimedia file, such as a radio programme or that nowadays many authors and producers are there). Again, the biggest difference between such a of TV and radio, it can be said that the age of new video, that can be downloaded or streamed from starting to bind individual podcasts into networks in programme and truly independent news and politics media has had similar nourishing effect on the the Internet onto a computer or mobile device”. podcast is in the level of unconfirmed, speculative more technologically-savvy millennials. How? The In other words, the main difference between a or even dangerous (yet interesting) information that When it comes to fiction, the is provided to the listener. This level of truth can be, independence and freedom connected of course, both advantage and disadvantage, but the to podcasting is fundamental to crucial aspect is yet again accessibility and freedom the creation of culturally, sexually, of information. One way or another, podcasts like Serial, which tells stories of real life events in ethnically, and gender-diverse content. America, such as murders or disappearances, may have never been produced via any other media as successfully as podcast. order to provide easier access to specific programmes, the idea of being independent from the commercial Another podcast “genre” that has become increasingly mainstream as well as free of charge is still very much popular with millennials since fan culture became on everybody’s minds. Moreover, information wants more mainstream is the fan podcast. While most of to be free, and so no topic is taboo in the podcast these podcasts are amateur – made by fans for other world. In part for that reason there are many different fans – there are also some very professionally made types of podcasts that can be used for many different fan podcasts out there with their production value purposes, which satisfies the millennials’ demand on the same level as any radio broadcast. What can for diversity. TheiTunes Store alone offers as many be appreciated the most about such podcasts is the as sixteen different categories of radio podcast. degree of thoroughness these fans can employ in Obviously, this article could not possibly contain order to discuss every single episode of a particular all of those, but here are some categories that might show (book, film, game...) and the number of angles interest the actual millennials reading this magazine: from which they look at it. For instance, Gilmore Guys offers a very entertaining and thorough analysis The category that may perhaps seem closest to them of every Gilmore Girls episode from the point of view is education. There are many ways radio podcasts of two men in their twenties – one that has grown

© Photo by StockSnap on pixabay.com 62 Podcasts Podcasts 63 up watching the show, and one that is currently focus on written text, but all of the extra material that watching it for the first time. Their analysis includes is not provided in written fiction – the voices, the for instance segments such as “Pop Goes the Culture” sound effects, the music, the meta conversations with – a discussion of all the pop cultural references used authors – guarantees a full immersion into the story Re:Views Recommends in every episode, “F-F-F-Fashion” – a brief discussion and therefore a virtually unique experience, which of the clothing, or “Twitter Q&A” – in which the is something that has been increasingly difficult to hosts communicate with their listeners via social find among all the distractions of the modern world. Educational media. Moreover, they often invite cast members, Stuff Mom Never Told You podcast by women for women about women random friends, or even unrelated celebrity guests In fact, immersion as such can be put on the list of Stuff You Missed in History Class for everyone who got bored during high school history on the podcast, which adds another level of dialogue the reasons why radio podcast is the medium for Hidden Brain podcast about the power of the mind and therefore makes the discussions more enriching. millennials. Some people may ask what is then the The Heart podcast about sexuality and intimacy difference between a fictional podcast series and a classic audiobook, and the answer is that it is all in Information wants to be free, and so the original intention, which is directly related to its Fan Podcasts no topic is taboo in the podcast world. ability to provide immersion. While an audiobook, Supernatural: The Crossroads all-male podcast for the fans of Supernatural as a medium, however well-produced and acted Gilmore Guys two men sit down to talk about Gilmore Girls out, will always be “just” an adaptation of a book, The X-Files Files breakdown of TheX-Files episodes The category that has perhaps been the most which is a medium intended to engage the mind The Baker Street Babes all-female podcast for all your Sherlock Holmes needs nourishing to the millennials in its podcast form through sight, podcast has already been created with The Three Patch Podcast podcast dedicated to the fans of BBC’s Sherlock is then fiction. As has been said previously, there the intention to engage the mind through hearing, are several differences between a common radio which makes it easier for its listeners to connect broadcast programme and a podcast programme. with the content. Having this connection is vital Fictional When it comes to fiction, the independence and to millennials, as in this age everything moves so Alice Isn’t Dead horror podcast from the roads of America freedom connected to podcasting is fundamental rapidly that sometimes it is difficult to stand still in The Thrilling Adventure Hour throwback to retro radio shows to the creation of culturally, sexually, ethnically, and order to connect to anything at all. Welcome to Night Vale fictional radio show from the town of Night Vale gender-diverse content. For example, it can be said The Black Tapes scary podcast about scary things that programmes like Alice Isn’t Dead – a horror story In summarisation, podcasts represent that kind about a female truck driver (Jasika Nicole) looking of connection to the world, and not necessarily for her seemingly dead wife Alice, would most likely just for the millennial generation, too. There are News & politics not be as successful on the air under American radio no rules when it comes to podcast. As long as you NPR politics for all your political news needs broadcast networks such as CBS or ABC, if it were keep your mind (or rather ears) open, it can enrich Serial investigative journalism at its finest even allowed there. your world with plurality of opinions, freedom of This American Life self-explanatory podcast by the creators of Serial information, culture and text analysis, independent Us & Them podcast about the issues that separate America Furthermore, those who like their fiction to be aural music, or perhaps just the exact number of times State of the Re:Union stories about the people of America rather than visual may find that not only are fiction Lorelai Gilmore mentions Mussolini on Gilmore podcasts a great way to pass time without having to Girls. And that counts for something. Others A Life podcast dedicated to everyone on the asexual spectre No Such Thing as a Fish in which the QI Elves discuss anything and everything Rain Man Show current pop cultural phenomenons up close and personal The Nerdist in which Chris Hardwick talks about stuff and things Happy Sad Confused in which Josh Horowitz interviews celebrities

Serial has become such a hit it single-handedly started a new wave There are as many as sixteen podcast categories on iTunes alone. of podcast craze in America. © Photo by Casey Fielser on flickr.com iTunes screenshot by Tereza Walsbergerová 64 Podcasts Podcasts 65

Welcome to Night Vale is not all just weirdness and usually provide racial descriptions of the characters. paranoia, though. It is also a story about love – as All in all, one may simply say that Welcome to Night Spotlight the listeners get a chance to witness the blossoming Vale welcomes everyone. Even you. To quote Night relationship between Cecil and the newcomer Carlos Vale’s City Council: “Please pick up a New Citizen Welcome to Night Vale: Charmingly clarify things. That is, if you would consider this a (Dylan Marron), bravery – as you bear witness Welcome Packet and mandatory orange poncho at Creepy Satire of American Paranoia clarification: to an uprising against an evil corporation, and the City Hall.” “Let’s go to the seven-day outlook. Your daily shades The mysterious yet charming city of “A friendly desert community where the sun is hot, of the sky forecast: Night Vale situated somewhere deep in the moon is beautiful, and mysterious lights pass Monday: Turquoise overhead while we all pretend to sleep.” That is the Tuesday: Taupe the American desert is a place where very first sentence of the cult American fictional Wednesday: Robin’s egg every single paranoid thought that you radio podcast Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Thursday: Turquoise/taupe have ever had turns out to be true. Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, first released in 2012. This Friday: Coal dust sentence is not just a fantastic introduction into the Saturday: Coal dust with chances of indigo in the Twitter Screencap by Tereza Walsbergerová podcast, but also sums it up perfectly; the mysterious late afternoon politics – as you experience Night Vale’s mayoral yet charming city of Night Vale situated somewhere Sunday: Void” elections where a literal five-headed dragon (Jackson Tereza Walsbergerová deep in the American desert is a place where every Publick) is running as one of the candidates. Above single paranoid thought that you have ever had (as all, though, it is a story of a community and this well as some that you have never had) turns out particular community makes Welcome to Night Vale one of the most diverse programmes in America, full Not only is the main character stop. Not only is the main character established as established as queer, but the podcast queer, but the podcast also contains strong female also contains strong female characters, characters, disabled characters, and gender-neutral characters. On top of that, a great deal of the voice disabled characters, and gender-neutral cast are actors of colour, which certainly adds to characters. the diversity despite the fact that the authors do not to be true. There are dark hooded figures walking around the streets, Sheriff’s Secret Police have their Welcome to Night Vale eyes on you twenty-four seven, the mighty Glow (2012–present) Cloud sometimes blazes over the town and rains small animal carcases, dogs are not allowed in the Country of origin: USA dog park, the angels are not allowed to be called Written and produced by Joseph Fink and Photo by Helena Brunnerová angels, there is a faceless old woman (Mara Wilson) Jeffrey Cranor Tereza has got a Bachelor’s Degree in Interactive secretly living in your home, and then there is you. Music by: disparition.info Media Theory and is just about to finish her (In fact, there is a whole episode dedicated to you. Released under: Night Vale Presents English Language and Literature Master’s You should probably listen to that one to find out Starring: Cecil Baldwin, Dylan Marron, Mara studies. Her primary focus is on (pop)cultural what you do in it.) Wilson, Meg Bashwiner, Kevin R. Free and phenomena, folklore, fan culture, queer others representation, and new media. She sometimes In case you are worried about becoming overwhelmed Running time: usually 20–30 minutes calls herself a structuralist, but don’t tell anyone. by all the strange and supernatural – do not despair, Official website: welcometonightvale.com In her free time she raids second-hand shops, Available for free on iTunes, Soundcloud, because Night Vale’s honey-voiced community radio listens to horror podcasts, and participates in Youtube, or Libsyn host, Cecil Palmer (Cecil Baldwin), will guide you strenuous creative writing challenges. You will The first Czech live performance of Welcome to find her either in coffee shops furiously typing through it all. His show has everything you need Night Vale – “Ghost Stories” will take place on on her laptop or in the streets petting random – news, traffic, horoscope, advertisements, the Tuesday, 10 October 2016, in Prague. dogs. weather, and many other segments that will surely Podcasts App screenshot by Tereza Walsbergerová 66 Critique: Jacob Riis Critique: Jacob Riis 67

so keeping street children off the streets and learning problems, like paying the rent, that they do not sustainable, marketable skills6. have any surplus time to devote to finding ways of Jacob Riis and the Fall of the advancement or leaving the tenements for good. American Community: An Analysis Riis points out that the environment is also at least Large swaths of the East Side cannot find time to learn partly responsible for how people behave, and the English despite being “both willing and anxious to of How the Other Half Lives rotten, dilapidated tenement environment would learn”16; a twelve year old girl is already working in naturally lead to decay in humaneness and community. a sweatshop, “can neither read nor write [and] will By Benson Cheung The tenements’ conditions are atrocious: entire flats, probably never learn” because her family requires even newer ones, could be completely in the dark all hands working frenetically to make ends meet17. with no fresh air flowing through it, despite bylaws Many tenants have become so attached to the With the ever increasing globalization and immigration being the burning issue of the day, this article mandating the opposite7. Overcrowding and filth tenements as the only life they ever knew in America looks for lessons in history. How the Other Half Lives takes the reader back a hundred years into New naturally contribute to massive disease epidemics8. that they would rather prevent evictions and live in York City no less cosmopolitan than it is today. Riis describes the, at times horrific, situation some of There is a correlation between the lack of green spaces the slums than be thrown out and forced to find a the newcomers had to face and at the same time shares his ideas how to amend it. The ideas reflect the and crime, having witnessed how bringing flowers into better environment elsewhere18. Paradoxically, others times Riis lived in, but can nevertheless provide an alternative perspective. Benson Cheung’s article will a back alley remarkably inspire hope in the tenants refuse to rise higher by staying in the tenements and give you a gist of Riis’ observations. and temporarily stop fighting9. Stripped of having time making a business oppressing new immigrants. Irish and playgrounds, children spend entire childhoods landlords, having a head start in building a life in In 1890, Jacob Riis delivered an urgent message to the tenants as an excuse for the condition of their not knowing the meaning of play. America and having “adapted” themselves to the the citizens of New York City, in How the Other Half property”, and eventually subdividing rooms into even tenement environment, came to own flats and renting Lives: dominated by tenements, the city struggles smaller units to maximize the occupants, contributing An atmosphere of nihilism and death pervades in them to new immigrants like Italians at exorbitant with poverty as masses of new immigrants are left to disease epidemics, increased child mortality and the tenements. Knowing that landlords to abuse prices19. Sweatshop owners rise from a worker through behind socially and economically. Concerned about fire hazards2. their wallets and expect nothing else from them10, hard work to hiring assistants for even less wages20. the rapid changes around him, Riis attributed poverty conditions are so bad some tenants are driven to to the process of urbanization and a subsequent The landlords’ schemes extend to taking advantage suicide from the sheer hopelessness11. The Bohemians, Sometimes, Riis seems to correlate race with the disintegration of the city’s social fabric. This can only of the Bohemians’ expert cigar-making skills, cigar making hundreds of cigars at record speed, live in probability of elevating one’s social status. Of the be resolved by rebuilding this social cohesion for an manufacturers rent out tenements closest to their an increasingly dehumanized environment, where minorities, only the Germans seem to be able to work urban setting. To this end, he largely places blame factories, charge exorbitant rents before making parents are treated like automatons until they drop hard enough to save money in order to transcend on, and gives solutions to, five intertwining social ills: entire families work at low wages to pay for their dead12. Socialized by this environment into treating poverty, the rest either “rise only by compulsion” or predatory capitalism, dehumanizing environment, rents, threatening them with both eviction and job others with suspicion, tenants are so cynical of genuine not at all21. Still, for most cases, poor people are not a broken social mobility ladder, the fragmentation termination should they protest3. Coercion is also efforts to help them that they sooner dismantled a born that way. Through his observations of tramps’ of American moral values, and middle class apathy. race-based: African-Americans must pay higher landlord’s renovations than realize that there were industriousness, Riis believes that poor people rent rates than a “low European type” for even fewer indeed generous capitalists13. are business-savvy humans who could succeed in services, despite them generally being better tenants4. another environment22. Thus, people must be given Throughout the book, Riis makes the most sustained The strongest remedy for this problem, Riis writes, is opportunities for self-improvement and opening attack on predatory capitalism, its representatives and Despite all this critique of capitalism and greed, Riis to create model tenement communities or repairing their horizons beyond the tenements. Riis approves its social manifestations alike, for essentially creating certainly was no anti-capitalist, preferring instead the “broken windows” in old tenements to encourage of the Jewish model of running trade schools and and perpetuating the poverty problem. The largest capitalism with a conscience—that is, to remind a communal atmosphere of respect for the urban subsidizing their students so they may concentrate offender is the landlords who own the tenements business leaders that they form a part of a wider environment. Ellen Collins renovated her tenements on their studies23, while the street Arabs are given making up the slums’ environments. Forsaking community, and thus they have a social obligation thoroughly and planted gardens for children to play a respectable outlet to exert their entrepreneurial “the Christian standpoint” of neighbourly love for to at least conduct “fair play” with their tenants. For in14. Disciplined housekeepers can expel negative spirit in the Children’s Aid Society, where they can economic profits, landlords find it more profitable instance, landlords like Ellen Collins and the “model influences15 . Actions like these may have encouraged be sheltered, be given business tools to support to compel tenants to stay as part of their speculation tenement” building companies generated successful tenants that this orderly neighbourhood was themselves, and opportunities to access public and scheme than giving them care, and encouraging their results in building respectable neighbourhoods from something worth caring for. charitable educational networks24. agents to take a dispassionate view of “[collecting] the reasonably low rents, renovations, and building rent in advance, or, failing, eject the occupants”1 . To community areas5. Wealthy philanthropists like Moreover, the oppressive economic system traps Riis believes that a fully American community can maximize profits, landlords not only further damaged Mrs. Astor and Colonel Auchmuty make long term immigrants in a broken social mobility ladder. never be formed without overriding disparate morals the community by encouraging “the filthy habits of social investments by donating to public education, Generally, people are so occupied by everyday and cultures with a unitary American identity and

1 Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives, Ed. David Leviatin, 2nd 2Ibid, 64-67. 7 Ibid, 69-71. 13 Ibid, 250. 16 Ibid, 146. 20 Ibid, 147-149. Edition (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011), 61-62. 3Ibid, 154-155. 8 Ibid, 136. 14 Ibid, 259. 17 Ibid, 149. 21 Ibid, 77-78. 4Ibid, 163-165. 11Ibid, 66. 15 lbid, 254. 18Ibid, 180-181. 23 Ibid, 152. 5Ibid, 259-265. 12 Ibid, 158-159. 19 Ibid, 74-75. 24 Ibid, 203. 68 Critique: Jacob Riis Critique: Jacob Riis 69 moral values system. He identifies this communitarian opposing to American entrepreneurial values as they their reaction is too little, too late41. Riis reports that predatory landlords50. Thus, calling the middle class deficit most in the ethnic enclaves. Lamenting that are dangerous. This attitude is pervasive amongst despite his anecdotal estimate “that hundreds of men, to action to help their neighbours, Riis cements a “the one thing you shall vainly ask for in the chief city tramps, who are considered merely lazy34. Most women, and children are every day slowly starving to civically-engaged and vigilant American community of America is a distinctively American community,” dangerously, gangsters have developed “a heritage of death in the tenements,” only a few cases of “downright as the keystone of his anti-poverty project. Riis associates the ethnic turnovers with negative instinctive hostility to restraint” by being completely starvation gets into the newspapers and makes a connotative terminology like “queer conglomerate uprooted from their home communities35; combined sensation.” However, Riis consoles in saying that if the A resurrected American community driven by middle mass of heterogeneous elements”25. with the perception that the world gave them “the cold exceptional case generates an uproar, then the public class engagement and united by a cohesive values shoulder,” these toughs terrorize communities and would clearly still have enough empathy and energy system must tackle unchecked greed and capitalism, Like in work ethic, there is a degree of racial defy the law’s very purpose by transforming assaults to force reforms if they knew the entire situation42. renovate a rotten urban environment, and open more determinism in how Riis describes various minorities’ and prison-time into opportunities for honour and opportunities to rejuvenate the social mobility ladder. moral characteristics. Italians are portrayed as camaraderie36. This ignorance of the situation, however, permits If New York can unite together to have neighbours submissive to the landlords’ demands (and thus the continuation of a failed prison program, which look out for neighbours, Riis’ feared revolution will giving the latter a carte blanche to exploit the Riis considers this culture of dependency and empowers criminals by networking with mentor never materialize, and this renewed community will immigrants)26, and are “born [gamblers]” who may predatory behaviour on the tenants’ part, much like thieves and building their reputation as a thug be preserved. cross into murder from gambling disputes27. Jews take their landlord counterparts, to be distinctly anti- heroes43. Police have become apathetic and “rarely American thriftiness to extremes, worshipping money community in their brash individualism. These [bother] with arresting” criminals on the street “unless and hoarding to the point of self-starvation28. Riis parasitic values further divide the community, when he is ’wanted’ for some signal outrage”44. Benson Cheung denounces the Chinese for doing little constructive those defending traditional values can no longer business in America other than gambling, smoking distinguish between the disruptive groups and “the But why should the middle class, or even Riis, care opium, and taking advantage of white “wives”— honestly poor,” preferring to ignore the entire poverty about poverty as a pressing issue? For all his reform- in other words, promoting values antithetical to issue altogether37. minded ideals, Riis, drawing a direct correlation Victorian American ones29. between the slum environment, crime, and the Opposing both the welfare and bullying mentalities, disastrous 1863 riots, worries that if growing poverty Yet, for his ethnocentric and racist elitism, Riis Riis proposes a more muscular municipal society is left unchecked, this festering tempest will engulf the might consider his solutions very progressive and creating opportunities and institutions to foster the nation in social unrest45. Using Marxian language, Riis egalitarian for his day—total assimilation, not laissez- entrepreneurial ethic. He optimistically sees the warns that “the tenements had bred their Nemesis, a faire exclusion, will give these would-be Americans preservation of core American ideals in the street proletariat ready and able to avenge the wrongs of their a more equal footing under a commonly intelligible Arabs—“study independence, love of freedom and crowds”46—in other words, they had developed class starting point. Identifying the immigrants’ speaking absolute self-reliance…rude sense of justice”— consciousness. Yet, from calls for reform, Riis does their first language as “ignorance,” the immigrants comparing the children favourably to, if not surpassing not believe in revolutionary determinism; rather, he must learn English as a prerequisite to becoming in virtue, successful community leaders38. These believes that the middle class can stave off revolution successful Americans30. Separating the wheat from children are to be assimilated into mainstream society by removing the conditions that made such a radical chaff, African Americans must surrender “[their] by charities like the Children’s Aid Society, by giving action thinkable47. ludicrous incongruities, [their] sensuality and [their] them a respectable outlet to exercise their “habits of Benson Cheung is a fourth year student double- lack of moral accountability, [their] superstition and thrift and ambitious industry”39. Likewise, the only Likening the situation to a house on fire, Riis tells his majoring in history and political science at the other faults,” and keep their relentless desire to better way to reintegrate paupers into society is to offer audience that it can only be saved when everybody University of Toronto. While many subjects themselves materially and socially31—essentially, the them “some systematic way of earning [their] living realizes that they are tied together by a common pique his interests, his favourite topics to study include cultural and intellectual history, American dream. Yet, neighbours must be more by work…to banish [their] from the street,” not bailing destiny—“we are going to the same heaven together”48. 40 ideologies, information and media, technology, tolerant of non-whites and new Americans to let their them out with handouts . His numerous examples of charities making a philosophy and ethics. He enjoys reading and 32 hard work flourish . Riis implicitly calls for the end of difference give the reader hope that eventually the debating political issues, learning about findings ethnic enclaves as the major roadblock to integration Perhaps the most urgent problem enabling poverty is problems will be resolved, yet leaves enough signs from diverse research fields, and participating by dwelling on the constituent community’s internal middle class apathy towards the slums—the ultimate of inadequacy—like a free coffee stand closing in in Model UN. He also enjoys travelling, and mutual support rather than the wider community33. case of neighbour turning his back on neighbour. At two weeks of opening from being overwhelmed by has studied in Brno as part of the University of best, this inattention serves as a necessary enabler starving people49—that there is enough room for Toronto Summer Abroad/Masaryk University With rampant capitalism greatly driving the poverty for social problems to happen. The public overlooks readers to join in the anti-poverty crusade. If more Summer Schools program in May and June situation, its victims are developing a “world owes the slums’ problems until the simmering situation citizens become civically involved, then they may be 2015. them a living” attitude towards life—an attitude as explodes and the effects directly affect them; by then, able to mount public pressure on previously ignored

25 Ibid, 74. 30 Ibid, 152. 35 Ibid, 211. 40 Ibid, 234. 45 Ibid, 59. 26 Ibid, 93-94. 31 Ibid, 165-166. 36 Ibid, 222. 41 Ibid, 248. 46 Ibid, 69. 27 Ibid, 96-97. 32 Ibid, 168. 37 Ibid, 232. 42 Ibid, 177. 47 Introduction to Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives, Ed. David Leviatin, 2nd Edition (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2011), 20-21. 28 Ibid, 134-135. 33 Ibid, 76. 38 Ibid, 195-196. 43 Ibid, 222. 48 Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives, Ed. David Leviatin, 2nd Edition (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 29 Ibid, 123-131. 34 Ibid, 114-116. 39 Ibid, 199-201. 44 Ibid, 216. 49 Ibid, 123. 50 Ibid, 248. © Property of ITV

Grantchester: the double trouble of a vicar-detective

By Martina Krénová

What could go wrong when a handsome, charismatic vicar partners with a police detective to solve crimes? The duo of a flawed vicar loving cricket, whiskey, jazz, and women, battling his inner demons, and a highly practical police detective, who has a strong sense of duty to make the society better, stumble upon many interesting cases, which bring them the enjoyment of solving crimes in a good company but also get them into a lot of trouble. 72 Review Review 73 © Property of ITV Na kole: Sidney using his favourite way of transport. Grantchester is an ITV detective drama set in the 1950s tackles these issues with sensitivity. Sidney plays a great part Vicarage would not be at its best without always complaining Cambridgeshire village of the same name based on The in the portrayal of these various matters, because where Mrs. Macguire, who takes care of Sidney and his household, Grantchester Mysteries, collection of short stories, written by society is quick to pass a judgment he shows understanding and Sidney’s companion Dickens, the labrador dog. The James Runcie. The story starts when a Grantchester vicar, and modern thinking. He does not always see eye to eye dog is a beautiful complement to Grantchester’s scenery, Sidney Chambers (played by James Norton), is approached with Geordie, which again creates tension, especially in the which is also a character of the show because everything by a mistress of a dead man that Sidney has just buried, second season, but they usually work cases out as they both that England undergoes in that era, Grantchester does as and she tells him in confidence that she thinks he has not want the best for the society and people. well. According to James Runcie, Grantchester is “an iconic committed suicide, but has been murdered. Sidney then village. It stands for England”. follows the clues and meets with a local detective, Geordie Being a vicar and a detective causes double trouble for Keating (played by Robson Green), to persuade him to Sidney, because the two professions are polar opposites. As Although the series stands on its own, it is impossible to look into the case. At first, Sidney’s meddling with police a vicar, Sidney is supposed to see the good in people and talk about it without mentioning the books and the author. business creates tension between the two, but Geordie soon give them benefit of a doubt, but as a detective, he should James Runcie loosely based Sidney Chambers on his father, realizes not only Sidney’s talent for solving crimes, but also expect the worst of them. He finds that being a detective who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the novels the advantages of having a vicar help finding the culprits, sometimes prevents him from being a good Christian and are a tribute to him and to the profession of vicars. James and he starts “employing” him on a regular basis. Being two a vicar to his parish. Interestingly, with Sidney it is never a Runcie intentionally created a vicar who is handsome, sex- men with very different professions and thus opinions on crisis of faith, his faith in God remains unshaken, but finding driven, does not like sherry like most on-screen vicars do, many matters creates a lot of chemistry and makes them a himself telling white lies or violating the confidentiality of and who would not be stripped down to being a comedy great on-screen duo. his parishioners makes him question himself as vicar quite cleric: “Certainly retired clergymen, who were clergy in often. However, Sidney’s character has more struggles to the 50s, are very affectionate about the books. They think Though at first the series seems like a typical detective show offer. He also battles his inner demons of having been a the television series pushes it a bit far because, of course, with an amateur solving crimes alongside a police force, it soldier in WWII, which results in somewhat heavy drinking some of the behaviour in the television series, and in the has much more to offer. First of all, it is the era the drama to oblivion. Moreover, he is pressured to get married, because second series certainly, he would find it hard to hold onto is set in. The 1950s is the post-war era of a societal change being a single, handsome young vicar could cause him his job as a priest. He’d probably be sacked. They find that in Britain which plays a huge role in the series. Not an trouble. Unfortunately, the woman he loves might not be a bit odd, but they do find it very refreshing to have what I Sidney Chambers and his women Amanda Kendall (Morven Christie) and Hildegard Staunton (Pheline Roggan) episode goes without touching upon the society’s attitudes the woman a vicar should marry. Inner conflicts, good and hope is an authentic portrayal of what it was really like to © Lovely Day/ITV towards Germany, homosexuality, racism, criminals, death bad decisions, character flaws, rich past, and the struggle of be a priest, albeit in a dramatized way”. Without doubt the terrific job in making the series her own. With gripping and penalty, etc. Every case brings up a new issue to talk about. handling two lives make Sidney one of the most captivating series “pushes it a bit far”, but without pushing it there, some sensitive writing, complex characters, changing England, Although it is 1950s, where gross indecency is punished with and complex characters on screen that is easy to identify of the issues mentioned above would never be talked about and the idyllic set of Grantchester, this new show is a worthy imprisonment and limited possibilities for one’s future and with for many. and characters would not have such deep struggles, thus opponent to the already established Inspector Morse of almost every murder leads to a death sentence, the series in that sense, the writer of the show, Daisy Coulam, does a Oxfordshire. Though flawed and struggling, Sidney with the love of cricket and passion for jazz is probably the most compelling character of Grantchester, after all, he is the main protagonist; Grantchester (2014–) however, the show would not stand out without the other Re:Views Verdict characters. Geordie Keating, Sidney’s partner in crime, or Series 1 introduces the two main characters and slowly develops their friendship when dealing with murders connected Running time: 6 x 45 mins /series, 2 rather in solving crime, is quite the opposite of Sidney with seriesavailable, third series planned for 2017 to different social issues. Sidney finds that he cannot force himself to judge people the society condemns, i.e. suicides, his grumpiness and seeing the worst in people, but these homosexuals, criminals, while battling the guilt of some of his? WWII acts. His long-term friend Amanda Kendall Directed by Harry Bradbeer differences between the two make them such a dynamic gets engaged which creates some tensions between the two as they are in love but cannot be together, since Amanda’s Written by Daisy Coulam, based on James duo. Another interesting and enjoyable character is Sidney’s father has arranged the marriage and will not let her marry a clergyman. Meanwhile Sidney meets a young German Runcie stories curate, Leonard. Whenever he appears on scene one might widow Hildegard and the relationship between the two of them starts blossoming. Everything seems to go well until Starring: James Norton, Robson Green, expect a bit of a comical situation, though he certainly is Sidney goes into town to see a famous jazz singer, Gloria Dee, perform. Morven Christie, Tessa Peake-Jones, Al not the laughing stock. He is caring and studious and very Series 1: 80% Weaver, Pheline Roggan, Tom Austen and importantly for the author, gay, though at first he might not others realize this because he is still discovering who he really is. The second series begins with Sidney’s best friend Geordie determined to find him a suitable girlfriend/wife when Official website Amanda, Sidney’s best friend and eventually love interest, Sidney is accused of sexual abuse. After a young boy accidentally kills a girl and is sentenced to death, things get darker between the two friends as they cannot agree on the matter of death penalty and they go against each other in IMDB profile & selected promo videos is one part of a love triangle in the story, with Hildegard, the murder trial. Meanwhile Sidney starts dating a new woman while trying to keep up his friendship with Amanda. a German widow, as her counterpart. Both women make Available on Amazon and YouTube Series 2: 90% interesting characters and provide for compelling storylines. 74 IDEAS

IDEAS Strikes for the Second Time in a Row!

By Pavla Nováková and Tomáš Varga

The members of ESCape, students’ club at the Department In the end, the programme of the 2nd IDEAS featured of English and American Studies, had long been thirteen speakers six of whom were guests contributing contemplating possible remedies for what they felt to greatly to the variety of topics representing all of the be a lack of opportunity for students to share the work five main tracks to be followed while studying English they produce during their studies at the Department. - linguistics, literary, cultural and translation studies, Eventually, one such remedy was found in the form of a and English language teaching. The range of topics conference. As Jeff Vanderziel said in his opening speech, was, therefore, wide and offered such treats as Ester “It is a conference organised by students for the students” Demjanová’s presentation on the perks and losses of serving as a platform to practise presentation skills, to dubbing in Czech and Slovak TV production, Sebastian discuss various areas of interest with peers and fellow Komárek’s talk on ancient runes and their function in scholars, to broaden the participants’ horizons as far as J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Michaela Šamalová’s research foci are concerned, and, last but not least, to paper introducing her own research project focusing on connect young people considering an academic career— pedagogical translation in English language teaching, all that while maintaining the ambience of safety and and Filip Drlík’s presentation on creating a typology of friendliness. Thus, IDEAS English Students’ Conference translation errors, just to mention a few. The audience was born and with it, we are not afraid to say, a new was always ready to involve in a lively discussion, the tradition. Cakespearean Company, group of the Department’s miraculously skilled baking enthusiasts, provided various After the successful premiere in spring 2015, the delicacies which ensured everyone had enough energy organizers wanted to take the 2nd IDEAS a step further. to be fully attentive during the entire course of the That is how it has become an interdepartmental and even conference, and so the exchange of knowledge, experience international event introducing guest speakers from the and ideas could continue long after the conference’s University of Graz, the University of Ostrava, Pavol closing speech. Jozef Šafárik University in Košice or from the Faculty

of Education, MU. As you can see, the conference has As of this year, the conference becomes an annual event Photos by Dominika Sirná become quite popular not only among the students of our with a regular presentation day on the last day of Spring department but also at different universities in the region. semester. Stay tuned for the 3rd IDEAS Conference After all, it is also a great opportunity to meet scholarly scheduled for May 20th. The organisers are putting people with similar tastes as yours so the organisers hope finishing touches to it as you’re reading these lines and to see more and more students sending their abstracts are looking forward to welcoming you all, whether you in the future. come as speakers or members of audience.