Dewey M. Clayton

Professor of Political Science, University of Louisville

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About Dewey

Clayton’s research includes the modern day civil rights movement and political discourse; representation and electoral systems in the United States; law and race; and African American politics. He teaches a course on political discourse which examines the political rhetoric of the civil rights movement. Clayton also teaches a class which explores the intersection of race; law; and politics. A consistent theme throughout his research is the representation of African Americans in the political arena in the United States. Clayton has spoken at various venues in the Louisville Metropolitan Area to discuss his books; African American politics; as well as the political process or issues related to politics at the local; state; or national level. He is often invited before and after an election to help analyze the results and to talk about what the elections mean to the local African American community. Additionally; he has given talks on elections at the Saturday Academy; a local community program dedicated to increase the knowledge of community residents on issues related to public affairs. Clayton also regularly serves as the moderator and/or panelist at the Yearlings Club; an African American civic organization.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

The Dismantling of the Voting Rights Act

Basic Facts Brief, December 2014

In the News

Research discussed by Kevin Wheatley, in "Teachers Hoping to Pass Key Electoral Test," WDRB, October 5, 2018.

Opinion: "What Black Lives Matter Can Learn from the 1960s Struggle for Civil Rights," Dewey M. Clayton, LSE US Centre, August 13, 2018.

Research discussed by Derrick Rose and Chris Williams, in "Critics: Heckling Elected Officials Won't Get Desired Result," WHAS11, July 10, 2018.

Opinion: "Don't Open Pandora’s Box," Dewey M. Clayton, Courier-Journal, February 23, 2017.

Opinion: "Lewis - A Lifetime of Action," Dewey M. Clayton, Courier-Journal, January 18, 2017.

Quoted by Ryland Barton in "Will Kentucky House Democrats Start Voting Like Republicans?," WFPL Public Radio, December 4, 2015.

Quoted by Ryland Barton in "Bevin Refuses to Say Whether He Will Attend Private Coal Retreat," WFPL NPR Louisville, August 18, 2015.

Opinion: "Time to Move Past the Confederacy," Dewey M. Clayton, Courier-Journal, July 13, 2015.

Opinion: "Rand Paul's Missed Opportunity," Dewey M. Clayton, Courier-Journal, May 9, 2015.

Quoted by Hannah Fraser-Chanpong in "What do Rand Paul's Venues Say about His Campaign Launch?," CBS News, April 10, 2015.

Quoted by Hannah Fraser-Chanpong in "Rand Paul Revisits 2010 Message in His 2016 Presidential Bid," CBS News, April 8, 2015.

Quoted by in "Rand Paul Set to Launch Republican Presidential Bid, Lure Liberal Voters," WKU Public Radio, April 6, 2015.

Quoted by Ryland Barton in "Conway Won’t Attend Obama’s Louisville Visit, Highlighting National, State Democrats’ Split," WKU Public Radio, April 2, 2015.

Quoted by Ashley Lopez in "What ‘Outside Money’ Means for Kentucky’s Gubernatorial Primary," WKMS National Public Radio, March 31, 2015.

Opinion: "Selma's Call for a Renewed Voting Rights Legacy," Dewey M. Clayton, Courier-Journal, March 6, 2015.

Opinion: "Racial Justice in America: Alternative Universes," Dewey M. Clayton, Courier-Journal, January 10, 2015.

Guest on The Dr. Barbara Watts Show, June 13, 2013.

Interviewed in "Pure Politics with Ryan Alessi," CN2, July 12, 2012.

Publications

"The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama: A Critical Analysis of a Racially Transcendent Strategy " (Routledge Press, 2010).

Takes a critical look at how an African American candidate ran and won a presidential election in conservative America.

"A Dream Deferred: The Politics of Race in America" Endarch: Journal of Black Political Research 3 (2008): 45-68.

Presents an in-depth look at the realities of being African American in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century.

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Voting Precinct: A Brief History of Disenfranchisement in America" The Black Scholar 34, no. 3 (2004): 42-53.

Examines the controversial 2000 presidential election and the chaos that ensued leading to the Supreme Court decision in Bush v. Gore that declared George W. Bush the president.

"Consolidated Urban Government and Black Electoral Representation" (with Angela Stallings). Journal of Public Management & Social Policy 9, no. 2 (2003): 1-15.

Examines the effort by Louisville, Kentucky to merge its city government with its county government and the consequences for African American citizens.

"African American Women and Their Quest for Congress" Journal of Black Studies (2003): 354-383.

Analyzes the difficulty African American women face in running for the U.S. Congress.

"African Americans and the Politics of Congressional Redistricting " (Routledge Press, 2000).

Examines the congressional redistricting process leading up to the 1992 general election when many southern states were required by the Department of Justice to create majority/minority congressional districts for the first time.