Author: Christopher Schroeder
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Saving Others and Ourselves
I recently reread Colson Whitehead’s (2019) The Nickel Boys, which seemed more compelling the second time. This story, which will appear on big screens as a new movie this fall, is based upon an actual Florida reformatory school, which Whitehead reportedly encountered on social media after a local university uncovered unmarked graves on its grounds.…
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Promoting Public Possibilities
I attended earlier this week the People Powered Policy Panel, which was a Chicago Public Library event to explore a public options platform generally and specifically municipally-owned grocery stores and public banking initiatives. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the audience. Then local media maven Sylvia Ewing moderated a conversation among sociologist Ruha Benjamin, community activist…
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Community Connections
I was disappointed by the National Night Out, which was promoted as a way of connecting police to communities. I had walked along the sidewalk to Lake Street and then made my way down the middle of State Street to Randolph. A band played in the middle of the street. Several tents promoted services. Canine…