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Articles by Samantha Conrad
Health education is not the same as body shaming
With the body positivity movement gaining more acceptance, people are becoming more confident and happy with their bodies, no matter the size or shape. However, many body positivity advocates glorify obesity and make claims about healthy living that are not only scientifically incorrect but shameful toward healthy eaters. There is an unfortunate history of shaming overweight people. However, criticizing those who enjoy healthy living is just as harmful.
We cannot allow the Trump administration to erase identities
According to an Oct. 21 report by the New York Times, the Trump administration is considering narrowly defining gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth in a cruel effort to roll back Obama-era protections transgender people have under current federal civil rights laws. In Obama’s administration, the legal concepts of gender in federal programs were loosened.
Midterm election: everything you need to know
After months of campaigning during the most expensive midterm in U.S. election history—with more than $1 billion spent—voters will soon head to the polls, some for the first time.Joyce Williams, director of voter registration for the League of Women Voters in the LaGrange area, moved from Massachusetts to Illinois and said she was shocked how long the ballot was.
Veterans face hurdles when seeking access to medical marijuana
Illinois military veterans are being left behind in the war on opioid addiction, even though Illinois permits doctors to recommend medical marijuana as an alternative to other drugs. Post-traumatic stress disorder—a disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event—is now on the list of most commonly treated conditions by patients who use medical marijuana in Illinois, according to a new Illinois Department of Public Health report.
Chicago to take center stage in 2019
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a year-long focus on local theater, which will include $200,000 in financial grants, promotions and special showcases from the smallest shows to the biggest extravaganzas in the city, according to a press release from the mayor’s office.Emanuel declared 2019 “the Year of Chicago Theater” Sept. 19.
Chicago creates basic income task force
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has created a task force to determine the viability of a guaranteed income program which would provide some Chicago residents a no-strings-attached monthly income.“If [Chicago gave] me a set amount of money every month, I know my paycheck can go into my savings account, rather than wondering if I’ll have a savings account in a month or two,” said Chelsea Gulbransen, an Albany Park resident and wedding coordinator at George Street Photo and Video.
Stop associating Ariana Grande with Mac Miller’s death
The Sept. 7 death of rap icon Mac Miller generated a variety of reactions from the public, as celebrity deaths usually do. Some mourned his death, alleging the cause as a drug overdose. One of the most upsetting reactions was placing blame on singer and former girlfriend Ariana Grande.Comments such as “THIS IS YOUR FAULT” and “It’s crazy because you really did kill him” were posted on Grande’s Instagram before she disabled comments.
Columbia can help break cycle of period poverty
Beginning in August, Scotland became the first country to provide free menstrual products at all schools, colleges and universities after the success of a 2017 pilot program, according to an Aug. 29 New York Times article.In the U.S., many homeless and low-income people are unable to buy menstrual products, and budgeting for the monthly expense can strain financially-strapped college students.
McCain stood up to Trump, but did not stand up for the marginalized
In the wake of John McCain’s death from glioblastoma Aug. 25, headlines have defined his legacy: a “maverick,” according to Rolling Stone; a man with “a rare sense of honor,” according to NBC; “courageous,” according to The Washington Post. McCain was a war hero, a survivor of torture and one of few politicians on the right side of the aisle willing to stand up to President Donald Trump.
How will you decorate your graduation cap?
Graduation is a time for students to be recognized for academic, creative and collegiate achievements by receiving their degrees. Some students will also celebrate the occasion by decorating their graduation caps to show families and peers the significance of this achievement.Trayvion Campbell, a senior theatre major, said he is incredibly humbled to graduate, and his decoration will represent what his achievements mean to him.
Stop and smell the pie
The comforting aroma of freshly baked pies and brewed coffee will soon fill up the Chop Shop, a Wicker Park restaurant and food emporium. Awake and Bake: Chicago’s First Free Pie and Coffee Festival will debut at the Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., May 6. With pie, pie-inspired goodies and freshly brewed coffee the festival and refreshments are entirely free and open to all ages to enjoy. The festival is expecting between 500 and 600 guests.
Farmers markets are back in season
As temperatures rise and the school year fades away, Chicago will start to see the return of the seasonal phenomenon that fills its streets during the summer: farmers markets.Chicago is home to many farmers markets, from the 14 weekly Chicago City Markets run by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to individual independent neighborhood markets such as the monthly Logan Square Farmers Market and Green City Market.
State department to probe visa seekers’ social media
International visitors who are seeking to reside in the U.S. but not immediately immigrate may soon have to turn over huge amounts of personal information, including social media handles, old phone numbers and emails, as part of the application process.The changes in the process involve turning over five years of social media handles, email addresses and information about international travel; whether the applicant has been removed or deported from any country; and whether any family members...
Aldermen push for minority representation in O’Hare project
While plans for the $8.5 billion O’Hare International Airport expansion are in development, City Council’s Black and Latino caucuses are pushing for increased minority representation in job contracts.The expansion project will generate an estimated 60,000 construction jobs by 2026 and will work alongside of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s O’Hare 21 project, which is expected to generate an about 460,000 jobs over the next eight years, according to a Feb. 28 city press release.
Security breach affects employees, family members
A data security breach resulted in the disclosure of the names and Social Security numbers of Columbia employees and their family members on IRIS, the college’s internal website. The college learned Feb. 15 that SharePoint, the search portal application used to apply for the Tuition Exchange Program, a college employee benefit, displayed the personal information, according to a March 2 email sent out to those affected by Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and CFO Jerry Tarrer.
Grant money could help Chicago go greener
With Chicago on the cutting edge of eco-friendly policies, a new grant could help spur even more green initiatives.The U.S. Green Buildings Council has partnered with the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to announce new grant funding to recognize cities and communities worldwide pursuing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Cities certification.
Textbooks don’t have to break the bank
Every semester, students purchase textbooks that can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of each term. Fortunately, there are effective ways to buy textbooks without going broke.According to a February 2016 study by the Public Interest Research Group, the price of textbooks has increased by 73 percent since 2006. The College Board, a nonprofit that is dedicated to expanding access to college, recommended students budget $1,200 for textbooks per year, according to a Feb. 10, 2016, NBC article.
Textalyzer sends distracted driving message to motorists
The future of texting and driving prevention could come to Chicago, but it will not come without controversy.
More than a color: How fashion plays a role in political movements
For decades, the color black in fashion has been associated with many different eras and moods. Since Coco Chanel created the Little Black Dress in 1926, black has been associated with elegance as well as seduction. Before that, it was linked to mourning, witches and the austere dress of certain religious sects. Now it's the color for protesting sexual harassment and abuse. Celebrities flooded the Golden Globes red carpet Jan.
Ex-DNAinfo reporters discuss closure, future
Jessica Cabe moved across the country from Aspen, Colorado to Chicago in September to take her dream job. Just two months later, she and all her coworkers found themselves unemployed when the beloved hyperlocal news site DNAinfo shuttered without warning. Cabe was a Lakeview beat reporter. The news site’s billionaire founder and CEO Joe Ricketts “made the difficult decision” to shut down both DNAinfo and the recently acquired Gothamist websites in a Nov.
Study: Majority of Chicago guns trafficked from out of state
With Chicago struggling to solve its gun violence problem, a recent report shows the majority of guns used in crimes have been illegally trafficked from outside city limits.Released Oct. 29, the 2017 Gun Trace Report—a collaboration among the city, Chicago Police Department and the University of Chicago Crime Lab—analyzed firearm trace data in the city from the past four years.
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