Grad students negotiate right to unionize for more rights, work benefits
By Meredith Francis In a dimly lit, Gothic-style church on the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, several dozen graduate students are taking small steps to make big changes by going old school: forming a legally recognized union. “The work we do isn’t recognized as a very important part of keeping the university going,” said […]
Two new Field Museum exhibitions channel enduring history of Native American art
By Grant Rindner A massive, majestic bison dominates two new exhibits in the Field Museum’s Hall of Native North Americans. The bison, a familiar icon in the hall, is now incorporated as part of the pair of exhibits that glimpse into Native American art today and re-contextualize the past. Detailed illustrations by Chris Pappan, attached […]
Defender of the faith: Skokie man devotes life to educating about Islam
By Alex Ortiz It didn’t take long for Dr. Sabeel Ahmed to feel unwelcome when he immigrated to the United States from India at 17. During his first gym class, students spat on him because he is Muslim. He was called into the principal’s office to tell who did it, but when asked if they […]
The heirloom of Mariachi music passes down through the generations
By Alexa Mencia When the Chicago Symphony Orchestra welcomed Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, known internationally as the “World’s Best Mariachi,” last month, orchestra hall sold out. Throughout the performance, audience members would let out a joyful, high-pitched yell in excitement—a signature of mariachi music known as a grito. The ensemble itself traces its history back […]
South Austin’s Kidz Express opens doors to new building
By Guy King Too often, the news out of Chicago’s South Austin neighborhood is about young people falling victim to gun violence, but Saturday, several children in the community were all smiles as they helped celebrate the grand opening of a new home for Kidz Express, an after-school center dedicated to providing “a nurturing environment” […]
In good faith: Muslim businessman throws his weight behind Trump
By Shahzeb Ahmed He defends Donald Trump in English and Urdu, Pakistan’s national language. “At least the man says what he thinks; at least he’s not merely echoing those that pay him to do so,” says Talat Rashid, his hands gently resting on a small table in one of the trendier restaurants in Chicago’s Chinatown.
