Category Archives: Voices

Book Reading: “the alphabet blows through the open window” by Danielle Chynoweth

Posted on 02/15/2012 by Public i

Poetry Performance and Book Release for  “when the bed shakes and the walls breathe and the alphabet blows through the open window” Poetry by Danielle Chynoweth written between 1994 and 2011 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturday, March 17th 7-9pm at the Channing-Murray Foundation … Continue reading →

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The End of a War for Whom?

Posted on 02/15/2012 by Sarah Lazare

On the day I heard that President Obama had officially declared the Iraq war over, I was at the Danville Veterans’ Administration hospital (VA) with my partner S, an Iraq War veteran. S is six months into a disability application, … Continue reading →

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Black Youth Beaten by Champaign Police

Posted on 11/01/2011 by Brian Dolinar

It has been two years since Kiwane Carrington was killed by a Champaign police officer, but 18-year-old black youth, Calvin Miller, is still afraid of the police. So when a Champaign cop attempted to pull him over for no apparent … Continue reading →

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“Secure Communities” Program Adopted by Sheriff Wreaking Havoc in Local Immigrant Community

Posted on 11/01/2011 by Brian Dolinar

The “Secure Communities” program being adopted in local counties across the United States has already caused much controversy in its short history. The implementation of Secure Communities by Champaign County Sheriff Dan Walsh has brought great distraught to several families … Continue reading →

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Sweet Corn Festival Brings Major Disappointment

Posted on 10/02/2011 by Safiya Noble

At a time when our community has been so significantly impacted by the death of a young African-American man at the hands of the Champaign Police, we continue to be mourning and healing. I teach courses on race, gender and … Continue reading →

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Update on the Case of “Homeless” Bill Walton

Posted on 10/02/2011 by Chris Evans

On Wednesday, August 3, 2011, two Urbana police officers approached “homeless” Bill Walton in the foyer of the Urbana City Building and asked him if he would come with them, pursuant to a court order that Walton be “medically” evaluated. … Continue reading →

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2011 Latin American Film Festival

Posted on 10/02/2011 by Public i

2011 LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL Organized by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) September 23-29, 2011 Art Theater, 126 W. Church St., Champaign, IL También la Lluvia/Even the Rain FRI Set 23, 6:00 pm / SUN Set … Continue reading →

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The New Operation Wetback? Immigration and Mass Incarceration in the Obama Era

Posted on 08/23/2011 by James Kilgore

(This article first appeared in Counterpunch Online August 4, 2011) Last week Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) joined a demonstration in Washington D.C. to protest the refusal of President Obama to use his executive powers to halt the deportations of the … Continue reading →

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The Sound Before the Fury: The California Prison Hunger Strike

Posted on 08/23/2011 by Gregory Koger

Beginning on July 1, 2011, hundreds of prisoners of all races in California’s Pelican Bay SHU (“Security Housing Unit”) began a historic hunger strike to demand an end to the cruel and inhumane treatment that they suffer under – including … Continue reading →

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Soon To Be Displaced Residents Protest Outside of Housing Authority

Posted on 08/23/2011 by Brian Dolinar

As Ed Bland arrived at work on Wednesday morning, July 27, 2011, he was greeted by a group of protesters. Residents at two public housing units, Dunbar Court and Joann Dorsey Homes, stood outside of the offices of the Champaign … Continue reading →

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Screening of “This is My Journey” Documentary

Posted on 08/23/2011 by Public i

Community Premiere: “This is My Journey” by director Kate Brickman Tues, Sept 6 at 5:30 pm; Doors open 5 p; documentary 5:30-6:30 pm Q&A with Kate Brickman and documentary subject 6:30-7:30 pm Art Theatre in downtown Champaign A documentary that … Continue reading →

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Wanted!: Empire. Dead or Alive

Posted on 06/27/2011 by Jodi Byrd

By Jodi A. Byrd and Manu Vimalassery When President Obama stepped from the Oval Office into a live broadcast to announce the killing of Osama bin Laden this past May 1, by “beltway” estimates of American political conversation he had … Continue reading →

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Rethinking Illinois’ Truth-In-Sentencing Law

Posted on 06/23/2011 by Joseph Dole

We are all aware of the dire fiscal state Illinois currently finds itself in. One of the main causes of this has been years of passing laws without any consideration for the financial costs of their enactment. There is now … Continue reading →

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On Civil Unions with Kevin and Brandon Bowersox-Johnson

Posted on 06/17/2011 by Marti Wilkinson

Residents in Illinois now have the opportunity to apply for and be joined in a civil union, which recognizes a legal commitment between two adults who wish to have the same rights and privileges afforded to married couples. However, this … Continue reading →

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The Tunisian Revolution: Dignity, Expression, Gender, and Religion

Posted on 05/20/2011 by Belden Fields

The Tunisian Revolution:  Dignity, Expression, Gender, and Religion Dignity The Tunisian uprising that deposed dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali is of enormous historical significance for the entire region of North Africa. A recurring and resounding call during the uprising has … Continue reading →

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The 1970 Student Strike in Protest of Kent State Killings

Posted on 05/18/2011 by Eric Heim

University of Illinois students and faculty went on strike 41 years ago this May in response to the killing of four students at Kent State by the Ohio National Guard. The killings at Kent State were seen by many at … Continue reading →

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“A Side of Prejudice with That?”

Posted on 03/28/2011 by Paul Nolan

When you walk into a fast food restaurant and place your order, there are many things that you expect to get: food, a drink, some napkins, a couple of packets of ketchup and salt. At most places, that pretty much … Continue reading →

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Portraits of Local African American Women

Posted on 03/28/2011 by Public i

These images reprinted in the Public i are among 23 portraits created by local artist Jason Patterson. They hung in the Murphy Gallery of the Campus YMCA for February and March, Black History Month and Women’s History Month. The exhibit … Continue reading →

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Comfort Food

Posted on 03/28/2011 by Jacqueline Hannah

ITALIAN BEAN SOUP In about 3 quarts of water, cook about 1 cup of rice, or diallini or salad macs (I use whole wheat macaroni) and 1 medium diced potato (skin left on.) Add the sauce (the sauce refers to … Continue reading →

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Revisiting Women’s History Month

Posted on 03/28/2011 by KristinaWho

In late February, at the cusp of Women’s History Month, Stephen Colbert interviewed women’s studies author, Stephanie Coontz. In typical Colbert fashion, he cajoles Coontz as she discusses, A Strange Stirring, her new book about Betty Friedan’s, Feminine Mystique. Colbert … Continue reading →

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