On a sunny Saturday afternoon, families and children filled Ashland Avenue, weaving through crowds and past vibrant carnival games. The air was filled with the smell of fried food and the sound of Latin music. This atmosphere was part of Fiesta Back of the Yards, an annual festival celebrating the South Side neighborhood’s community and...
Kamala Harris, former Vice President and 2026 presidential candidate, recently shared her perspective on the word ‘hope’ during a podcast with Don Lemon. Her comments quickly gained attention on social media, sparking discussions due to their elaborate nature. Harris expressed her belief that everyone possesses an inner light, which can inspire hope. She urged people...
Recently, I watched The History of Sound, a period drama that resonated with personal memories of my late father, as it partially unfolds in 1919, the year he was born. The film follows two music conservatory students, David and Lionel, played by Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal respectively. They meet in a New England bar,...
Juneteenth was marked on Friday afternoon at Aurora University with music, performances, speeches, and a flag-raising ceremony. Aurora in Black, the Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board, and the Quad County Urban League organized the event. It focused on education, empowerment, and community celebration, as stated in the press release. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19,...
People across the United States gathered on Friday to celebrate Juneteenth. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the first visitors to their presidential center during this time. Located in a sprawling area on Chicago’s South Side, the center honors the nation’s first Black president. It aims to inspire individuals to...
In Paris, a modern response emerges to a question once posed by medieval poet François Villon: “Where are the snows of yesteryear?” They arise today on Pont Neuf, Paris’ oldest bridge, where a giant art installation now stands. This trompe l’oeil exhibit, depicting a snow-covered mountain range, captivates the summer scene over the river Seine....
Oscar Diaz and Janelly Mendoza, residents of Laredo, Texas, celebrated their wedding in a unique setting on June 11. The couple exchanged vows on stage at the Public Theater’s Delacorte Theater, following a performance of Romeo and Juliet in New York. The officiant for the ceremony was actor Francis Jue, who also played Friar Lawrence...
David Thomson, a prolific film writer, is grappling with the impact of cinema on society and American culture. He argues that movies, while captivating, often distract us from real life. This reflection lies at the heart of his new book, ‘A Sudden Flicker of Light.’ Thomson is not alone in his concerns. For over 130...
The public will visit former President Barack Obama’s presidential center for the first time as Juneteenth celebrations occur across the U.S. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the center, built for the country’s first Black president, aims to inspire change in communities. This aligns with Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth...
The Obama Presidential Center opens its doors in Chicago, coinciding with the Juneteenth celebrations. This center is the most recent addition to the institution of presidential libraries in the United States. Presidential libraries usually preserve significant historical documents and events, such as wars and elections. However, they also contain unusual artifacts from different time periods....