89-year-old Japanese American recalls internment camp memory
By Wen-Yee Lee President Donald Trump’s travel ban is not the first time the commander in chief used an executive order to restrict a certain group of people. In 1942, during World War II, more than 120,000 of Japanese Americans were singled out from one executive order. They were sent to ten internment camps in […]
Some UIC Workers Working Without a Contract
By Wen-Yee Lee On campus resistance day, workers held simultaneous nationwide rallies. Workers from University of Illinois Chicago, who picketed outside the hospital, are calling for a new contract. Photo at top: University of Illinois Chicago Hospital is criticized by their workers who are working without a contract. (Wen-Yee Lee/MEDILL)
South Side Washington Park Businesses Boosted
By Wen-Yee Lee When you think about Chicago’s south side, you may think of its high crime rate, but thriving businesses in Washington Park are changing that stereotype. [vimeo 207536632] Photo at top: In cooperation with the University of Chicago, Currency Exchange Cafe in Washington Park plans to expand as an art block. (Wen-Yee Lee/MEDILL)
Immigrants Protested Trump’s Executive Orders
By Wen-Yee Lee President Donald Trump signed executive orders to build a wall along the southern border with Mexico and deport illegal immigrants. Chicago’s immigrant communities protested his actions in front of the Chicago Immigration Court Jan. 25. Jude Ssempungu, Board Member at the United African Organization, is speaking for immigrant communities in Chicago. (Wen-Yee […]
Downtown Street Performers Ban Deferred
By Wen-Yee Lee Street performers have become a staple along Michigan Avenue, but that could change if one Chicago alderman has his way. Chicago City Council voted Feb. 22, deferring the proposed ordinance led by the 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, which restricts street performers on Michigan Ave. and State Street. [vimeo 207517954] Photo at […]
Student Artists Finish Their First Public Art Project
By Wen-Yee Lee Fifteen student artists are working with artists from Chicago Public Art Group to design a mosaic fountain for ChiCAT Arts School, Chicago Center for Arts and Technology. This will be these students’ first public art project with an agency. [vimeo 207514202] Photo at top: Mosaic patterns that were made by student artists […]
Mother daughter puppet team performs as part of international puppet theater festival
By Wen-Yee Lee The International Puppet Theater Festival is welcoming hundreds of puppeteers from January 19-29. Founder and puppeteer of Jabberwocky Marionettes, a Chicago-based puppet theater, Lolly Extract and her daughter performed their own show at the Chicago Cultural Center. “Jabberwock” was a dragon in the book Alice in Wonderland, from which she named her […]
Mural project in Little Village showcases Chicago’s coming “Year of Public Art”
By Wen-Yee Lee Max Sansing was spray-painting a ragged wall of an underpass between Little Village and North Lawndale — a border that separates Mexican-American and African-American communities. Soon, images unfolded of Mexican culture and experiences in Chicago, West African symbols of strength and unity, and portraits of community residents. As a core artist for […]
Republican women voters believe Trump’s action plan for America outweighs his sexist comments
By Wen-Yee Lee Barbara Trautman, campaign committee chair for the National Federation of Republican Women, supports Donald Trump regardless of his sexual comments. “He is our nominee. That’s the bottom line for me,” Trautman said firmly. “A true Republican is not gonna vote for Hillary.” Trump’s 2005 Access Hollywood video, in which he boasted about […]
Musicians from 17 countries honored black migration with OneBeat music tour
By Wen-Yee Lee To honor the 100-year anniversary of the Great Migration of African Americans to northern states, OneBeat followed the migration route, touring from New Orleans through Chattanooga to Chicago to present the world music they created. Every year, thousands of musicians apply for the 25 spots on OneBeat that represented 17 countries this […]
