In 1729, Jonathan Swift wrote the satiric essay A Modest Proposal, published in pamphlet form to influence compassion for the starving Irish. The satire ridiculed the British politicians, elites and landowners who did not see the poor Irish as a problem of human misery and suffering but rather as an inconvenience. The ridiculous proposal that […]
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When you can’t see the forest for the trees
The forest – an expanse of land densely populated with lust vegetation, covering and rising above the ground. Animals of varying species and birds of varying types and sizes. Some dwelling above and beneath the ground. Then there are bushes, slopes, changes in rivulets and suddenly changing and an indiscriminately located topography, which may hinder, […]
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Immigrant stereotypes dehumanize us all
Words matter. Immigrants have been an essential part of American culture since our beginning. And throughout our history, references to immigrants have been intentionally framed to stigmatize and dehumanize them. This is particularly the case with immigrants who are Black and brown, from Asia and the Global South. Inflammatory rhetoric has recently included terms like […]
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From struggle to strength: How United Way is changing lives in central Illinois
When Maria lost her job last year, her world turned upside down. As a single mother of two, she had always worked hard to provide for her children, but an unexpected layoff left her without an income. Rent, utilities and groceries became overwhelming expenses, and she didn’t know where to turn. “I remember lying awake […]
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Healing the world, Part II
You’ve probably noticed the plethora of self-care articles and posts over the last couple of months. It’s hardly surprising given the ongoing chaos which surrounds us. As I suggested in my last column, self-care is essential but it’s not enough if we are to begin to heal the world. Baha’is, guided by Baha’u’llah’s vision for […]
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A day for laughter, a day for vigilance and commitment
Aside from the commemoration of the Holocaust and the celebration of Israel’s independence that were instituted in recent times, Purim, the Feast of Lots, which will occur this year on Thursday evening, March 13 and Friday, March 14, is one of two holidays on the Jewish calendar that are not mentioned in the Torah (the […]
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The importance of mental health in our community
My name is Kortnee Walton. I am a senior psychology student at the University of Illinois Springfield and an intern at Faith Coalition for the Common Good. By growing up in Springfield and being a part of the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church since childhood, I have always felt a deep connection to my community. Now, […]
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A great South African agent of change
In 1971, the director of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency was born in Pretoria, South Africa. That same year, another South African, my Dominican brother Albert Nolan, was 1,000 miles away, mentoring students at Stellenbosch University on the country’s southern coast. Stellenbosch was the center of theological study for the Dutch Reformed Church, the […]
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UIS field stations help students engage in active learning outside the classroom
The University of Illinois Springfield operates two field stations: the Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon (TFSE), located within The Nature Conservancy Emiquon Preserve in Fulton County, and the Field Station at Lake Springfield (FSLS). Collectively called the UIS field stations, these facilities provide students with the opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom and […]
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The not-to-be-missed college visit
These days there are many options for exploring colleges and training institutes – in-person with options such as tours, visit days and information sessions, and through websites, social media, online reviews and even AI summaries. Beginning by exploring a college, or institute, on its website and social media channels can provide information on programs, training […]
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Tongues of mortals
“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” – I Corinthians 13:1 The folklore my mom liked to tell about our family is that I did not speak until I was 3 years old. Apparently as the youngest […]
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Reducing homelessness, improving health: How supportive housing can build a stronger community
For those experiencing homelessness, every day can feel like a struggle for survival. In the face of each day’s uncertainty, one of the few constants is difficulty. Every turn poses complications that create barriers to accessing life’s basic needs and the stability and safety people long for. Local organizations and advocates work to provide some […]
