Gender in the 2020 campaign

+ Why is only some turkey meat dark? [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 25 November 2019 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair [Bryan Keogh] A note from... Bryan Keogh Senior Editor, Economy + Business From Victoria Woodhull in 1872 to Hillary Clinton in 2016, women presidential contenders have faced gender-based abuse while struggling to be seen as candidates rather than “tokens.” A business professor theorized in the 1970s that this dynamic would change only after women achieved a critical mass of about 40% of a group – whether in an office or presidential campaign. The theory is being put to the test now that women have reached this threshold in the 2020 Democratic primary, writes Elizabeth Tippett, a workplace scholar at the University of Oregon. So how is it affecting the election for [Kamala Harris, Amy Kobuchar and the other women running](? Also today: - [The long struggle over religious freedom]( - [How a piece of bread can cause pain in your head]( - [What you need to understand about settlements in the West Bank]( Top story There’s power in numbers. Mad Dog/Shutterstock.com [2020 campaign shows the more women run, the more they are treated like candidates – not tokens]( Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon Scholars say a 'critical mass' of representation is necessary to overcome 'token' status. That's exactly what we saw at the Democratic debate in Atlanta. Ethics + Religion - [How American anti-Semitism reflects the centuries-long struggle over the meaning of religious liberty]( Tisa Wenger, Yale University The US Constitution is supposed to protect freedom of religion. But in the 20th century, white Christian nationalists used this ideal to discriminate against Jews and justify their exclusion. - [Israel’s West Bank settlements: 4 questions answered]( Dov Waxman, Northeastern University The US delighted Israel and outraged Palestinians by announcing it sees nothing illegal with Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Here, a brief history of this hotly disputed land. Politics + Society - [Protections against sexual misconduct on campus may end up stifling free speech]( Laurel Leff, Northeastern University; Meg Heckman, Northeastern University Changes to how the landmark federal law to protect women on campuses from sexual discrimination and misconduct is interpreted are having an unintended effect: scaring off potential whistleblowers. - [Brexit poses a dilemma for Northern Ireland’s nationalists]( Donald Beaudette, Emory University; Andrew Kirkpatrick, Christopher Newport University Politicians who want to unite Ireland under a Dublin-based government are stuck choosing whether to participate in the UK in an effort to stay in the EU. Education - [New College Scorecard could help students choose better colleges, but there’s still room to improve it]( Gregory N. Price, University of New Orleans The new College Scorecard – an online tool – offers valuable insights into how much you can expect to earn and owe if you choose a particular major at a particular school, an economist writes. - [Kids may need more help finding answers to their questions in the information age]( Hailey Gibbs, University of Maryland Children ask a lot of questions, but they're not always good ones. Environment + Energy - [Fight or switch? How the low-carbon transition is disrupting fossil fuel politics]( Cara Daggett, Virginia Tech As the effects of climate change become clearer and more ominous, fossil fuel companies face a choice: Defy warnings of catastrophic climate change, or envision their roles in a post-carbon world. - [What can you learn from studying an animal’s scat?]( Verity Mathis, University of Florida An animal's poop may seem like something to avoid, but it's full of information about the creature that left it there. Science + Technology - [Light versus dark – the color of the turkey meat is due to the job of the muscle]( Joshua Selsby, Iowa State University Sit down to Thanksgiving dinner ready to amaze your companions with physiological facts about why different cuts of the turkey have different characteristics. Health + Medicine - [How does a piece of bread cause a migraine?]( Lauren Green, University of Southern California Many migraine headaches are triggered by certain foods. Recently, a lot of attention has focused on gluten. An expert explains how a piece of bread can cause pain in your head. Arts + Culture - [As Prince Andrew’s 200 charities seek a new patron should they find a replacement royal?]( Beth Breeze, University of Kent Having a royal lend their name in patronage to a charity may have some benefits but it can also have its drawbacks. Most read on site - [Should I kill spiders in my home? An entomologist explains why not to]( Matt Bertone, North Carolina State University This Speed Read makes the case why you should be nice to spiders you encounter in your home and consider a live-and-let-live policy. - [Tons of acorns? It must be a mast year]( Emily Moran, University of California, Merced Masting is what biologists call the pattern of trees for miles around synchronizing to all produce lots of seeds – or very few. Why and how do they get on schedule? - [Why saying ‘OK boomer’ at work is considered age discrimination – but millennial put-downs aren’t]( Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon An employment law expert explains why you shouldn't use an age-related insult at work to demean an older colleague. Today’s chart - [Enable images to see the chart]( From the article: [What Ukrainians think about Trump and his 'quid pro quo' in 3 charts]( [Erik C. Nisbet] Erik C. Nisbet The Ohio State University [Olga Kamenchuk] Olga Kamenchuk The Ohio State University [Help fight misinformation and science denial. Support The Conversation.]( [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111