Get Connected
Search Public i
Public i
Get Connected
Archives
- October 2024
- July 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- February 2024
- November 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- February 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- September 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- November 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- September 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- September 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- January 2016
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- July 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- November 2008
- October 2008
- August 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- June 2005
- November 2004
- October 2004
- September 2004
- March 2004
- February 2004
- December 2003
- November 2003
- October 2003
- September 2003
- August 2003
- June 2003
- May 2003
- November 2002
- October 2002
- April 2002
- March 2002
- February 2002
- December 2001
- November 2001
- October 2001
- September 2001
- August 2001
- July 2001
Author Archives: Neil Parthun
The Pandemic and Pro Wrestling
In the November, 2019 Public i, I wrote about one of the earliest gig economies: professional wrestling. There, independent pro wrestler David Starr discussed the incredibly imbalanced power dynamics of the corporate wrestling scene in America. While watching corporations and … Continue reading
984 total views, 1 views today
Posted in Labor, Labor/Economics, Sports
Tagged COVID-19, Pro Wrestling
Comments Off on The Pandemic and Pro Wrestling
An Early Gig Economy: Pro Wrestling
By now, almost everybody knows that professional wrestling is a “worked” sport—requiring wrestlers to advance storylines, choreograph matches and implement predetermined outcomes set by the industry’s bookers and writers. Yet the in-ring entertainment provided by these men and women can … Continue reading
Trump Pardons Jack Johnson
On May 24, 2018, President Donald Trump officially signed a posthumous pardon for heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson. As a radical and a sports fan, it was a surreal moment on a number of levels. But to explain how, it is … Continue reading
Posted in African Americans, bigotry, Sports, Trump
Comments Off on Trump Pardons Jack Johnson
Green Bay Packers—A Better Model for Sports Ownership
In the past months, the National Football League (NFL) has been the focus of popular anger from its fans. First, the Rams successfully petitioned to move from St. Louis to Los Angeles. The San Diego Chargers followed suit by relocating … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Green Bay Packers—A Better Model for Sports Ownership
National African American Parent Involvement Day Event in Rantoul
Announcement Blurb National African American Parent Involvement Day is a nation-wide celebration that typically occurs on the second Monday in February. This year, Eater Junior High will be hosting an event for all parents and families to celebrate NAAPID. Monday, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on National African American Parent Involvement Day Event in Rantoul
Rio 2016: Beautiful Games at Huge Cost
From August 5 to August 21, Rio will be the home of some of the most beautifully intense displays of athletics during the 2016 Summer Olympics. While fans will rightfully be enjoying the amazing displays, we should also pay attention … Continue reading
Posted in Brazil, Environment, Healthcare, International, Land, Olympics
Comments Off on Rio 2016: Beautiful Games at Huge Cost
Rantoul Jr. High Hosts 1st NAAPID Event
National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) is a national event that started in 1995 as the brainchild of long time Michigan principal Joseph Dulin. He was inspired to take action after attending the Million Man March and a speaker … Continue reading
Posted in African Americans, Education
Comments Off on Rantoul Jr. High Hosts 1st NAAPID Event
UIUC Sport Scandals
The University of Illinois has been the focus of myriad scandals in the past months. While much attention has been given to the academic and ethical transgressions, there has been relatively little paid to the outrageous behavior alleged to be … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on UIUC Sport Scandals
Anniversary of 1968 Olympics Protest
October 16 is the 47th anniversary of the courageous protest by US athletes Tommie Smith, John Carlos and Australian Peter Norman at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Smith and Carlos took direct action with their fists in the sky, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Anniversary of 1968 Olympics Protest
Northwestern Football Player Union
“This will give a totally different meaning to wildcat strikes.” – anarchist prisoner Sean Swain, in a letter to me Months after the Bowl Championship Series National Champion was crowned in college football, and as we prepared for the end … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Northwestern Football Player Union
Peter Norman and the 45th Anniversary of the ’68 Olympics
This October is the 45th anniversary of the 1968 Summer Olympics and one of the most iconic events in American history, the raised fists of U.S. track athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the medal stand. Much has rightfully … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Peter Norman and the 45th Anniversary of the ’68 Olympics
Jason Collins
“I’m a 34 year old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.” With these simple words, Jason Collins made history as the first actively playing out athlete in the NBA, NHL, MLB or NFL. The overwhelming reaction to Collins’ important … Continue reading
Posted in African Americans, LGBTQA, Media, News, Politics
Comments Off on Jason Collins
Hugo Chavez and Yewri Guillen
Hugo Chavez and Yewri Guillen are two dead Latin Americans who, although they never knew each other and came from different countries, are deeply connected. Yewri Guillen was an 18-year-old Dominican who died in April 2011, just as he was … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Hugo Chavez and Yewri Guillen
The NHL Lockout
On September 15, the National Hockey League (NHL) locked out its players. This wass the fourth sports lockout within the last two years. It was the third lockout and fourth labor stoppage for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.The then expired collective … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on The NHL Lockout
Fracking in Southern Illinois
Annette McMichael 217-273-1000 am@greenemediaservice.comWhat the Frack? What do I have in common with Sean Lennon, Lady Gaga & Romania’s Princess Caradja, a decendent of Vlad the Impaler? We’re all fighting the gas industry to save our respective lands and the … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Fracking in Southern Illinois
Dark Knight Rises Reimann Response
John Reimann’s article “Hollywood’s War on American Youth” is an error-ridden piece that people should seriously question before accepting its main thesis. While not an overtly revolutionary film, “The Dark Knight Rises” can also be seen as a criticism of … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Dark Knight Rises Reimann Response
“The Title IX Olympics”
Title IX celebrated its fortieth anniversary in June. While the legislation was originally meant to target sex discrimination in hiring and employment, it has become associated with its impacts on women in sport. Since its inception, women have seen immense … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on “The Title IX Olympics”
The London Olympics
The London Olympics by Neil Parthun The 2012 Summer Olympics will be held from July 27 to August 12, 2012. While the Games will bring international athletes together in spectacles of sport, it will also bring another spectacle altogether. As … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on The London Olympics
Shahid Khan Blurb
While it appears that Shahid Khan has a battle on his hands with workers alleging Occupational Health and Safety violations at their Flex N Gate work facilities, he is also facing some problems as the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Shahid Khan Blurb
Glenn Burke
Glenn Burke is one of the trailblazing pioneers whose name you probably have never heard. Burke started in the 1977 World Series as a rookie and arguably created the high five as a celebratory gesture. But most importantly, he was … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Glenn Burke