Monthly Archives: February 2011

Chicago Renaissance Woman Margaret Burroughs Dies at 93

Magnificent black women the poets and singers have been remiss have sung too few poems and songs of you And the image makers have not recorded your beauty. On November 21, 2010, long-time Chicago artist and activist Margaret Burroughs died … Continue reading

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Spirit of the Dance

Listen to Guinea Drumming Imagine six weeks without running or potable water, a common language, or toilet paper… where rats commonly nibble on children at night… where no one else believes your god exits… where your shower is a bucket … Continue reading

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CU In Solidarity With the People of Egypt

Posted in Human Rights, International | Leave a comment

The School for Designing a Society is in Session!

Established in 1991 in Champaign-Urbana, the School for Designing a Society is an ongoing social experiment by teachers, performers, artists, students, activists, and others in making temporary living environments where the question “What would I consider a desirable society?” is … Continue reading

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SOLHOT Saving Yourself First

Here in the local community, I am a part of a phenomenal group called Saving Our Lives Hear Our Truths (SOLHOT). SOLHOT is a space organized for and by Black women and girls. Within SOLHOT, female student volunteers from the … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Voices of Color | Leave a comment

Technology and African-American History

As the Urbana-Champaign Big Broadband (UC2B) $30 million high-speed Internet infrastructure is constructed throughout Champaign-Urbana, we must come together as a community to find ways to use this technology to support all sectors of our local population. eBlackChampaign-Urbana is a … Continue reading

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UC2B and the Digital Divide in Champaign-Urbana

In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about universal access to and affordability of high-speed internet services. In the 2009 stimulus package, $7.2 billion was allocated for broadband development and employment in underserved (rural) and underserved (generally … Continue reading

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Home Street Home

Listen to Alex and Sammy talk about homelessness here CONSIDER THIS: As I write this article, I can look out my balcony and see a number of homeless people asking for food and money on Green Street in Champaign. People … Continue reading

Posted in Homelessness, Human Rights | Leave a comment

Racial Microaggressions and its Impact on Campus Climate at the University of Illinois

On November 4, 2008, the first person of color was elected President of the United States of America and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. It is true that President Obama did break down some racial barriers, However, many … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Human Rights, Indigenous, Latino/a, Voices of Color, Women | Leave a comment

Timothy Kendrick’s Legal Nightmare Finally Ends

A Texas man’s two-and-a-half-year-old drug case in Champaign County finally came to an end on February 9, 2011 in Judge Tom Difanis’ courtroom after State’s Attorney Dan Clifton suddenly dropped the case. The alternative was for Judge Difanis to rule … Continue reading

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A Response From Civil Society

Our vision at Illinois People’s Action (IPA) is to live in a state where our shared core values of justice, empowerment and family become the norm. To bring this vision into reality, we engage in faith-based community organizing and leadership … Continue reading

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2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Essays

What is your dream for a Beloved Community? Since 2003, over 2200 local students have been challenged to examine the legacy of Dr. King in their lives, and their role in social justice. This year, students between 4th and 12th … Continue reading

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A Letter to a Black Girl

To Whom It May Concern (and those who may think it doesn’t): So, when exactly did it start? As I sit and ponder on when I can recall my first moment of  interaction with sexuality, I realize I can’t do … Continue reading

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Bigger is Better! Help WRFU Erect Epic Radio Tower

It happened one weekend in November five years ago. Some 200 people swarmed the Independent Media Center. By the end, when the clouds gathered over Urbana, a radio station was born. The volunteers had traveled from across the country to … Continue reading

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In Search of Coretta Scott King

They say that behind every great man lies a great woman. This popular phrase holds true in the case of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. As Martin led marches and protests during the Civil Rights Movement, Coretta … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Human Rights, Voices of Color | Leave a comment