Category Archives: Voices

“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 →

Posted in African Americans, Arts, Women | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Community Forum, Women | Leave a comment

SOLHOT Saving Yourself First

Posted on 02/24/2011 by Porshe Garner

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 →

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Home Street Home

Posted on 02/23/2011 by Alex Roth

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

Posted on 02/23/2011 by UIUC Center on Democracy in a Multiracial Society Racial Microaggression Research Group

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

A Response From Civil Society

Posted on 02/23/2011 by Rev. Dr. Eugene Barnes

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

Posted on 02/22/2011 by Public i

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

Posted on 02/22/2011 by anonymous

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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In Search of Coretta Scott King

Posted on 02/22/2011 by Courtney Suzanne Pierre

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 →

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Open Invitation to the Follow-up Meeting of the eBlack C-U Campus-Community Symposium

Posted on 01/27/2011 by Noah Lenstra

The eBlack CU Symposium was a great success, with over 180 people attending or all part of the event. The full record of the Symposium is available online for anyone to access at: http://eblackcu.net/portal/symposium. We need to do more to … Continue reading →

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Illinois Civil Unions: A Step forward, But Still Only A Step

Posted on 01/27/2011 by Paul Nolan

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” —Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher (604 BC–531 BC) On December 1, 2010, the Illinois Senate passed SB 1716 (the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act), just a day after … Continue reading →

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Marriage vs. Civil Unions in the State of Illinois

Posted on 01/27/2011 by Phillip Reese

It’s important we distinguish between the civil unions and marriage. Though many religious institutions in the area provide same-sex couples with recognition before God and their friends and neighbors, a civil union is anything but marriage. Despite what anti-gay activists … Continue reading →

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Local Youth Talk Gay Marriage

Posted on 01/27/2011 by KristinaWho

On November 30, 2010, the Illinois Senate passed SB 1716, “Illinois Religious Freedom and Protection and Civil Union Act.” This law will grant legal recognition of same-sex couples. Governor Quinn has pledged to sign the bill into law in early … Continue reading →

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A Great Literacy Campaign for African America in the 21st Century

Posted on 01/27/2011 by Amira Davis

SOME BACKGROUND The crisis in public education has been likened toa modern day Civil Rights crisis and a human rights tragedy. At center is the debate over educating ex-slaves. Big business insiders in seats of educational authority, like Arnie Duncan … Continue reading →

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

La Colectiva, the University YMCA, and Growing Immigrant Population in Champaign County

Posted on 11/05/2010 by Aaron Johnson-Ortiz

THE UNIVERSITY YMCA AND THE UI STUDENT organization La Colectiva are developing new outreach programs that aim to build bridges with the Latino immigrant communities in Champaign County. The two new programs are a mentorship program with Latino high school … Continue reading →

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eBlack Symposium Builds Connections Between Campus and Community

Posted on 11/05/2010 by Noah Lenstra

ALTHOUGH WE WERE TOLD “SYMPOSIA” and “conferences” were too academic in nature—the eBlackChampaign- Urbana project team stood by the knowledge that community groups have conferences all the time (Canaan Baptist Church held two in the past year; Glory Center International … Continue reading →

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Iraq Veterans Against the War On Veterans Day

Posted on 11/05/2010 by Iraq Veterans Against the War

This Veteran’s Day, Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) asked Americans to reconsider the meaning of supporting the troops. As a nation, we are dishonoring our veterans by ignoring the real costs of war, and we contend that we can … Continue reading →

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Just Say No to “Gay Marriage”

Posted on 10/05/2010 by Snow Leopard

Those who accept evil without protesting against it are really cooperating with it. —Martin Luther King, Jr. Many people in the United States, it seems, may not have been exposed to, and so don’t realize, the quality of hatred often … Continue reading →

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