Monthly Archives: April 2026

April Issue Front Cover

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Alex Pretti and the Death of Western Liberalism

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, an ICU nurse named Alex Pretti was wrestled to the ground on the streets of Minneapolis, disarmed of the pistol he was legally carrying, and fatally shot by ICE agents. He is the second person … Continue reading

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Are Data Centers Responsible Economic Development?

Responsible economic development must balance financial benefits with harm and risk to the community. Many residents of Illinois feel like the risk of electricity rate increases, potential harm to health and quality of life, and noise and air pollution from … Continue reading

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“Revolution” in Iran? Doomed If It Succeeds

This essay was written before the February 28 beginning of the US–Israeli war on Iran. It is an edited version of one that appeared in The People’s Voice, the chapter newsletter of YDSA ISU, on February 18. An oft-repeated sentiment … Continue reading

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Champaign’s Attempt to Criminalize Homelessness Fails after Swift Public Outcry

This is an edited version of an article originally published in Smile Politely on January 26, 2026. On December 2, 2025, after two and a half hours of public comment from some 40 community members, Champaign City Council voted 9-0 … Continue reading

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Jesse Jackson: A Black Power icon

  This article first appeared in the author’s regular column “Real Talk: A Black Perspective” in the Champaign News-Gazette, on February 22, 2026. It has been lightly edited for style.   On February 17, Jesse Jackson joined the ancestors. He … Continue reading

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Toward a Reparative Culture

In May, 2023, about ten people gathered around a table at New Covenant Fellowship in Champaign to launch the Champaign-Urbana Reparations Coalition (CURC). Dr. Jeffrey Trask, already leading New Covenant’s efforts toward reparations for African Americans, led the meeting. Dr. … Continue reading

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On Simone Weil’s The Need for Roots

“To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul. It is one of the hardest to define. A human being has roots by virtue of his real, active and natural participation in the … Continue reading

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The Hungarian Elections: A Blow to European Right-Wing Populism?*

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been name-dropped by practically everyone on the American Right lately, from Donald Trump to Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson, as a trailblazer and model for the conservative nationalist authoritarian state they covet—not to mention … Continue reading

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Just Five

I am more than fifty years past being just five, but I’m trying to remember how strange the grown-up world was, how the huge ones told us, “Do this.” “Get over there.” “Right now!” Some kids were reduced to tears; … Continue reading

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April Issue Back Cover

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