Christopher Schroeder

Category: local

  • 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 in functions for literature beyond literary studies journals and college English classrooms. I expected something about secularism and literature in the present tense. What I got unexpectedly intrigued and repulsed me.

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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 Dorian Warren, and city policy chief Mayumi Grigsby.

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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 handlers had their dogs. Food lines were long.

    Nothing was noteworthy, so I walked to the corner of Randolph toward home. I had the white walk light and stood in the crosswalk next to a police officer, who continued to wave through left-turning cars from the opposite direction.

    The traffic light turned yellow and then read. The officer asked me to step back.

    “I was trying to cross with the light,” I said, “but you wouldn’t stop waving traffic.”

    She gave me a side-eye. “That’s why we’re here,” she said.

    To prevent pedestrians from crossing the street? I wanted to say but didn’t want to press my luck.

    Others approached. I hoped one or more would press ahead just to see what the officer would say. None did.

    The walk light flipped white again. I shook my head and re-entered the crosswalk. So much for connecting with the community.