Politics - AWOL

Former Sec. Julián Castro talks voting, advocacy with AU students

Young people raise concerns over disillusionment with 2020 politics

Jasmine Dean • September 21, 2020

Over 200 students tuned in to the conversation online, according to Sonali Doshi, deputy director of communications for the Kennedy Political Union, which hosted the event alongside the Sine Institute, the Latin American Student Organization, and the League of United Latin Americans Coalition.

Is American University really woke?

What it really means to be the most politically active school in the nation

Talia Marshall, Staff Editor • August 20, 2020

“There’s a lot of lip service paid to activism,” said sophomore Elliot Williams. “But very few students are willing to put in the time and the persistence that’s necessary to hold actions, events and to follow through with their goals.”

‘This is not a heartwarming story’

Ryann Ersoff didn’t ask to become an app developer. But in the era of coronavirus, she saw an opportunity to help people.

Benjamin S. Weiss, Fall 2019 Editor-in-Chief • July 28, 2020

Ryann Ersoff wants you to know that she is not a STEM major. “Developing an app is not something that I knew how to do,” she said. “I’m very ‘communications’ and ‘literature,’ and just...

AWOL Issue 27: The Quarantine Issue

AWOL • April 25, 2020

Dear reader, AWOL is pleased to bring you our 27th issue and the spring 2020 edition of our magazine. Given the global pandemic, we are publishing this semester's issue in digital format. All of our...

Buttigieg campaign manager: A few days is a really long time in politics

Maddi Cole • March 2, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. ─ On the eve of the highly anticipated first-in-the-South primary, the longtime friend and campaign manager to Pete Buttigieg, spoke with a quiet confidence to a group of eager American...

Iowa residents caucus for the first time in Washington

Maddi Cole and Dónal Gannon • February 10, 2020

Washington political junkies watched as Iowans caucused for the first time outside of their home state on February 3. For the first time in Iowa caucus history, satellite caucuses were held around...

Mental Borders: Mental Health Challenges in the Latinx Immigrant Community

Immigration status plays a large role in mental health, but barriers often prevent needed treatment.

Savanna Strott • January 15, 2020

This story first appeared in the Fall 2019 print edition of AWOL. Tatiana Murillo came to the U.S. from Nicaragua at 11 years old with hopes of better opportunities and a chance to “be somebody”...

National Period Day

Maddie Ceasar, Photo/Video Assistant • November 11, 2019

About the Piece: On October 19th, the first National Period Day was celebrated. Individuals from all over gathered at Capitol Hill demanding an end to period poverty and stigma. Speakers such as founder...

LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality Rally

Maddie Ceasar, Photo/Video Assistant • November 5, 2019

About the Piece: Ralliers gathered outside the Supreme Court on October 8th in support of the three cases that would be heard regarding LGBTQIA+ rights. Three oral arguments, Altitude Expresss Inc....

James Obergefell on the Future of LGBTQ+ Equality

The plaintiff of the landmark Supreme Court case legalizing same-sex marriage discusses his experience with queer activism and how to improve LGBTQ+ equality.

Katherine Long and Shane Matheu Ryden • September 10, 2019

The Kennedy Political Union presented “KPU: An Evening with James Obergefell,” giving AU students the chance to hear his story live. Over four years ago, on June 26, 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges fell...

Climate Action Protesters Host Democratic Debate Watch Party at DNC Protest

Sasha Fernandez • June 27, 2019

The Sunrise Movement, a climate change political action group, hosted a watch party for the first Democratic presidential debate outside the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters in Washington...

Finding Common Ground Through the Arts: the Cato Institute’s First Exhibit

Kaela Roeder • April 18, 2019

The new art exhibition is meant to provide a space for people to discuss their differences in a common and calm space.