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As Much As We Can Be
All Happy Families is an engaging account of a Chicago family that seems relatively unhappy but might actually be as much as can be expected, and relatively aware of that. Graham, a mostly failed writer and actor, is managing his childhood duplex purchased by his older, and more successful actor, brother Will, and Dana, a…
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Johnson’s Latest
The latest from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is something even for him. He couldn’t convince his self-appointed Chicago Board of Education members to fire the Chicago Public Schools CEO after he wouldn’t endorse a $300-million loan for a pension payment and part of upcoming contract obligations in the middle of Chicago Teachers Union contract negotiations.…
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Secularism Indeed
I had an unexpected experience at a recent secularism and literature mini-symposium. This event, which was moderated by the UIC English Department Head, included three other presenters, two local and one with some Chicago connection. The moderator offers initial observations, the presenters read papers aloud, and then the audience asked questions. I am genuinely interested…
“There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don’t expect you to save the world I do think it’s not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.”
–Nikki Giovanni