LT. JULIANASTRATTON
ADeliberate Case for the Senate
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Volume3No 21 October15,2025
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E-NOTES
TravelJoyously
Kai ElZabar-Editor-In-Chief
Transform your traveling experience once considered arduous intoajoyfulone
When we think about the journeys we plantotake,weoftenfocusonthephysical aspects: the length of time it will take to travel from our starting point to our eventual destination Even when we are excitedaboutatrip,theminutiaerequired toplanitcancreepin Wethinkaboutthe vehicle, the comfort or lack thereof andtheavailabilityofrestroomsalongthe way Naturally, we consider accommodations. Is it a high-end or a middling facility?What will the mattress be like? What about food and other services? These questions can be as exhaustingastheyareexhilarating
Thethrillofenteringanewenvironment may be undercut by our sensitivity to change, unfamiliar surroundings, and forcedshiftsinourusualhabits.Air,road, andseatravelcanbeextremelytaxing especiallyforthosewhofinditdifficultto feel comfortable or sleep soundly in a strange bed How will they fare? With experiencecomesaknackfortravel:you learnwhatworksforyou.Thegoalisto create a process that supports you, no matter the journey you embark upon. Beopen-mindedaboutthemanyways to remove stress from both short trips andlengthysojourns.
Much of the anxiety we feel before traveling stems from the care we take to feelcomfortableinourday-to-daylives comfortrootedinroutine Thetruthis,it’s morethanthebed,thecolorofthewalls, or having your favorite book nearby Adapting your personal routines and comfort points to align with your travel schedule can ease the unease of being away from home. When you ground yourself by honoring your daily sacred rituals, you no longer feel out of your element.
Ifinditcomfortingtotravelwithafewreassuringitems fromhometohelpmestaybalanced Eachindividual is different: you may bring a Bible, photographs of lovedones,abookofpoetry,afavoriteteaorsnack,an iPad loaded with favorite games, soft slippers, a silk pillowcase,orevenyourownpillow.Theseitemscan soothe the rigors of travel byplane, car, train, orship while en route. Mystics suggest holding a crystal, gemstone, talisman, cross, or medicine bag during particularlystressfulmomentstoremainrelaxedand alert.Objectsimbuedwithhealingorcalmingenergy can help you decompress once you reach your destination.
Asyouunpackyourtravelcomforts,considerlightinga stickofsweet-smellingincenseorbaskingintheglowof ameditationcandle Thissenseoffamiliaritycanalign yourenergyandgentlygroundyouinwhatfeelsserene andfamiliar whereveryouare.
Throughout your journey, remember to indulge in activities that center you and sustain your emotional equilibrium. Maintaining rituals such as going to bed andwakingatthesametimeeachdayhelpsensureyou remainstrongandhealthy Ialsorecommendcarving out quiet moments for yourself to stay connected in unfamiliar settings These small but meaningful steps can preserveyourtranquilityand keepyourfocus on well-being transforming travel into a truly joyful experience
AGEllisonSaysFedsPersecutingMinnesotaforItsPolitics
CLINT COMBS - NNPA NEWSWIRE/MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER
ThestateofMinnesota,alongwiththecitiesof MinneapolisandSt Paul,filedfederallawsuits againsttheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity, allegingthatalarge-scaledeploymentof ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementagents violatedtheU.S.Constitutionandthestates’ rights
MinneapolisMayorJacobFreysaidthesurge,which beganinDecember,isexpectedtocostthecity millionsofdollarsinpoliceovertime
Minnesota,Minneapolis,andSt Paulhavefiled federallawsuitsagainsttheDepartmentof HomelandSecurity,arguingthatalarge-scaleICE deploymentviolatedconstitutionallimitsand endangeredresidents,schools,andlocalservices.
HeandmayorspetitioncourttorestrainICE surge. ThestateofMinnesota,alongwiththe citiesofMinneapolisandSt Paul,filedfederal lawsuitsagainsttheDepartmentofHomeland Security,allegingthatalarge-scaledeploymentof ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementagents violatedtheU.S.Constitutionandthestates’ rights
AttorneyGeneralKeithEllisonaskedafederal judgetoblockthefederalgovernmentfrom deployingthousandsofimmigrationagentsinto Minnesota,arguingtheactionoverstepped federalauthority.
“Weallegethatthesurgehashadareckless impactonourschoolsandonourlocallaw enforcement,”Ellisonsaid “Itisaviolationofthe TenthAmendmentandthesovereignpowers grantedtostatesundertheConstitution.”
ThelawsuitfollowsreportsthatICEagents detainedaspecialeducationassistantatRoosevelt HighSchoolandusedchemicalirritantsagainst teachersandstudents,hoursafterICEagent JonathanRossshotandkilledReneeNicoleGood nearPortlandAvenueand34thStreetin Minneapolis
“Wehavenormalcorefunctionsthatwearetasked withdaily,”Freysaid “Werespondto911calls,workto preventmurdersandcarjackings,andcontinue communitypolicingeffortsthathavedrivencrime ratesdown.”
PoliceChiefBrianO’HarasaidMinneapolispolice establishedadedicateddispatchoperationtohandle 911callsrelatedtoencounterswithfederalagents “Wehadadramaticincreaseincallsrelatedtothis activity,”O’Harasaid “Thereisadesignated supervisoronduty24/7tofieldthosecallsand prioritizeresponseaspoliciescontinuetoevolve”
Freysaidresidentsreportedincidentsofagentsin unmarkeduniformsandcarsdetainingAmerican citizens OnJan 8,US BorderPatrolagentsdetained twoworkersataTargetstoreinRichfield,including 17-year-oldJonathanAguilarGarcia,whowaslater releasedataWalmartparkinglotafteragents confirmedhewasaUS citizen
“SomeofyousawthevideosfromTargetand RooseveltHighSchool,”Ellisonsaid “Ihavereceived countlesscallsfrompeoplesayingtheyareafraidto gotowork,andthey’recitizens,notimmigrants”
RetailersincludingTarget,HomeDepot,and WalmarthavefacedcriticismforallowingICEtouse parkinglotsasstagingareas.Separately,securitystaff atHennepinCountyMedicalCenterreportedly askedfederalagentstoleaveastabilizationroom afteraninjuredpersonwasbroughtinduringan arrest Theagentsallegedlyrefused
Stateandlocalofficialsarguetheincidentsreflect whattheydescribeasanICE“invasion”of Minneapolisandothercitiesunderapretextoffraud enforcement
Ellisonsaidthestateischallengingwhathedescribedas “excessiveandlethalforce”byfederalagents,including warrantlessarrestsandtargetingofcourts,housesof worship,andschools.
PBSFrontlinereporterACThompsontoldEllisonthat hisreportingcrewwaspepper-sprayedbyfederal agentswhilecoveringenforcementactivity “Isthis litigationaimedatrestrainingtheuseofcrowd-control andless-lethalweapons?”Thompsonasked “Ourcrew waspepper-sprayedtodaybyfederalagents Areyou takingactiononthat?”
DavidSuper,aGeorgetownUniversitylawprofessor, saidMinnesota’slawsuitisdistinctfromsimilar challengesinotherstatesbecausethecivilrights claimsarebeingbroughtbythestateitself.
“Toprevail,Minnesotamustpersuadeacourtthat thefederalgovernmentisactingoutsidethepowers grantedbytheConstitutionanddeprivingthestate ofitssovereignty,”Supersaid.“WhileDHShas primaryauthorityoverimmigration,theseactions appeartoextendagainstMinnesotanswhoare neitherimmigrantsnordirectlyinvolvedwith immigrationenforcement”
Supersaidthecourtcouldissueemergencyrelief, suchasatemporaryrestrainingorder,thoughsuch ordersarelimitedindurationandsubjecttoappeal byDHS HealsonotedthecasecouldreachtheUS SupremeCourt,whereaconservativemajorityhas previouslyruledinfavoroftheTrump administrationinimmigration-relatedcases
“SurroundingMs Good’scar,orderingherout,and shootingherfornoncompliancegoesfarbeyond federalauthoritytocontrolimmigration,”Supersaid “Acourtcoulddeterminethatsuchinteractionswith citizensareacorepowerofthestateundertheTenth Amendment”ClintCombswelcomesreader responsesatcombs0284@gmail.com
CITYNEWS
SideHustleCity:AsWagesStagnate,Chicago’sGigWorkersPushSpringfieldfor aRealSay
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
InaChicagoeconomywhererentclimbs,groceries spike, and the city’s own budget pushes new fees ontoresidents,thesidehustlesthatoncelookedlike extra cash now function more like lifelines The question in early 2026 is no longer whether Chicagoans are working second jobs it’s whether they’ll finally get a voice in how that work is governed
Advocacygroupsanddrivercoalitionsestimatethat roughly 100,000 rideshare drivers are on the road forUberandLyftacrossIllinois,withChicagoasthe hub.Manytreattheappsasasidehustlelayeredon top of lowwage fulltime work; others are “fulltime” in everything but name, logging hundredsoftripsamonthwithoutbenefitsorbasic protections
Local reporting has found that many appbased driversinChicagoareeffectivelyearningbelowthe city’s minimum wage once gas, insurance, maintenance, and platform fees are factored in. That wage floor is supposed to be at least in the midteensperhourinthecity,higherforsomelarge employers. But the gig model shifts risk and cost onto workers while shielding companies from traditionalemployerobligations.
Now, a new legislative push is trying to change at least one piece of that equation State Sen Ram Villivalam and Rep Yolonda Morris, both Democrats from Chicago, are preparing to introduceabillthatwouldgiveappbasedrideshare driversapathtounionizeandbargaincollectively without changing their legal status as independent contractors
Undertheproposal,anylabororganizationthatcan showsupportfrom10percentofdriverswouldgain access to driver contact information; reaching 30 percent support would make that organization the bargainingrepresentativeforallridesharedriversin the state The law would cover drivers for transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft but exclude deliveryonly platforms such as InstacartandDoorDash
The model draws directly from a framework first adopted in Massachusetts, where voters approved a similarsystem allowingcontractors to negotiatewages and working conditions, and from a California arrangement negotiated last year Advocates with the Illinois DriversAlliance describe it as aworkaround to federal labor law, which currently bars independent contractorsfromformingtraditionalunions
The model draws directly from a framework first adopted in Massachusetts, where voters approved a similarsystem allowingcontractors to negotiatewages and working conditions, and from a California arrangement negotiated last year Advocates with the Illinois DriversAlliance describe it as aworkaround to federal labor law, which currently bars independent contractorsfromformingtraditionalunions
The federal court ruling against Google for violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act acknowledged the monopoly problem But a monopoly that controls information access while degrading that access for financial gain represents something more dangerous than a business problem it's a public health and equityissue
Forworkers,thestakesareconcrete Listeningsessions with Chicago gig workers have surfaced the same themes over and over: lack of transparency in pay formulas, sudden “unfair” deactivations that cut off income overnight, and long unpaid hours spent repositioning around the city to chase demand A majority of surveyed appbased drivers say they believe they should be classified as employees, with access to benefits and clearer protections, but many alsosaythatifcontractorstatuscontinues,theyatleast wantbargainingrightsanddueprocess
The proposed bill tries to address some of those concerns. It would bar companies from retaliating against drivers who organize, impose a small surchargeonridesharefarestofundenforcementand bargaining costs, and create a formal channel for negotiatingpaystandardsandworkingconditions
“They are providing an essential service, getting peopletoschool,theirdoctor,andtheirjob,”Villivalam said recently, arguing that the workers who keep the city moving deserve more than unilateral terms dictatedbyanapp.
At the same time, newnational data underscores just howunstablethesidehustleeconomyhasbecome A recent analysis by a major credit bureau found that nearlyoneinthreeMillennialandGenZgigworkers have rented out or sold their platform accounts to other people just to cover their own bills a practice that violates company rules and raises serious safety concerns Fewer than half of surveyed gig workers saidtheybelieveplatformsaredoingenoughtoverify identitiesonthoseaccounts.
That desperation sits atop a broaderboom. National stats showrapid growth in side hustles rangingfrom petsittingtoonlinetutoringtosellingdigitalproducts, with Chicago emerging as a hotspot for remote freelance work and tutoring gigs layered on top of day jobs The hustle is no longer a quirky lifestyle choice it’s how many residents reconcile stagnant wages with one of the highest combined sales tax ratesinthecountry
ThefightnowmovestoSpringfield Driversralliedin the Loop this week before heading south to the Capitol, framingthe bill as afirst step toward amore honest social contract in the gig economy They are notaskinglawmakerstoabolishsidehustles;theyare askingthe state to acknowledge that in 2026, a “side” hustle is often the only thing keeping the rest of life fromcollapsing
ACityThatCan’tCount:InsideChicago’s$26.5MillionOvertimeMeltdown
Chicago is tearing up its couch cushions for spare changewhile admitting it quietlyhanded out $265 millioninovertimepaytoworkerswhomaynever have been entitled to a dime of it The city’s own watchdog now says more than 1,000 employees across 24 departments collected overtime between 2020and2024despitebeing“potentiallyineligible,” abureaucraticfailurethatlandedinthemiddleofa billiondollarbudgethole
The Office of Inspector General found that 1,072 workers received overtime they likely weren’t supposed to get, including staff at the Board of Elections,theOfficeoftheCityClerk,andeventhe City Council itself. Eighteen employees alone took in between $250,000 and $700,000 apiece in overtime during that fiveyear window, accounting fornearlyaquarterofallquestionablepayouts
Inspector General Deborah Witzburg called the problem exactly what it is: financial malpractice.
“The City’s finances are, needless to say, in an extremely precarious place, and we can illafford mistakes which run well into the eight figures,” she said in a statement In a separate interview, she described the overpayments as less an organized scam than “ a series of spreadsheet mistakes” that adduptotensofmillionsofdollarsthecitysimply cannotaffordtolose
The breakdown is damning. Employees who received the overtime worked in 24 city departments plus three key offices Board of Elections,Clerk,andCouncil suggestingthiswasn’t a oneoff glitch but a systemic failure of payroll controls. Many of those workers were in management roles, without collective bargaining agreements, meaning they should have been exempt from overtime underboth federal lawand citypolicy
The timing is even worse Witzburg’s office explicitly briefed the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Finance on the findings “in the hopes that they might inform the City’s2026budgetprocess”Thatbudgetistryingto closeagapnorthof$1billion,andyetthecityisnow acknowledging it misdirected $26.5 million at the same time residents are paying more forshopping bags, Uber rides, and almost everything else under thelatestrevenuepackage
City Hall’s response amounts to: we’ll do better. DHR and Finance “largely concurred” with the findings and promised tougher controls, better training, and more oversight, according to the watchdog But there is no realistic mechanism to claw back most of the money; legally, once wages are paid, recouping them from employees who relied on the income is an uphill battle at best. Meanwhile,thebigpictureovertimeproblemhasn’t improved
Chicago spent roughly $510.9 million on overtime in2024alone,withtheChicagoPoliceDepartment responsible for a huge share of that total despite beingbudgetedforfarless Aseparateanalysisfound more than 290 cityworkers earned over $100,000 in overtime on top of their base salaries, most of theminChicagoPoliceDepartment Oversixyears, the city’s overall overtime bill has spiked by nearly60percent,addingabout$189millioninextracost
This is not a newwarning Foryears, the inspector general’s office has flagged overtime waste especially in police ranks as a driver of burnout, mismanagement, and fiscal bloat A 2017 CPDspecific audit documented officers “gaming” the system through practices like lingering on the clockorattachingthemselves to cases primarilyfor courttime pay The new citywide report shows many of those cultural habits never met real resistanceatthesystemslevel
In a city that’s raising fees and taxes under the banner of shared sacrifice, the overtime scandal crystallizesaquieterreality:thegovernmentdoesn’t reliably know where its money is going Witzburg put the stakes plainly This isn’t just about spreadsheets; it’s about trust. “This represents careless financial oversight, amounting to tens of millionsofdollars,whichthecitycannotafford,”she said For Chicago taxpayers, the question now is whether that carelessness stops here or whether the next “mistake” is already baked into the next budgetline
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
JULIANA STRATTON
A Deliberate Case for the U.S. Senate
LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR
COVERSTORY
When Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton talks about health care, she does not begin with policy.Shebeginswithcare.
A decade ago, Stratton was raising four daughterswhilecaringforhermother,Velma,a public school teacher and adult literacy instructor who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’sdisease Thedayswererelentless school schedules layered onto medical appointments, the quiet emotional labor of watchingsomeoneyouloveslipawaywhilestill needing everything fromyou One evening, as thetelevisionplayedinthebackground,anews segmentairedaboutIllinoislawmakersmoving tostriphealthcarebenefitsfromseniors.
“I yelled at the television,” Stratton recalled “I honestlysaid,somebodyshouldrunagainstmy staterepresentative”
At the time, she did not imagine that person wouldbeher Buttheangerlingered Sodidthe clarity
“Iknewhowharditwastocareformymother,” she said “And I knew there were so many people like her who didn’t have the resources wehad”
That moment did not simply spark a campaign.Itclarifiedaresponsibility.
Today, Stratton is the first Black lieutenant governor in Illinois history and a Democratic candidatefortheU.S.Senate.Sheisrunningin a March 17 Democratic primary against two sittingmembersofCongress U.S.Reps.Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8th) and Robin Kelly (D2nd) in a race to replace retiring US Sen DickDurbin(D-Ill)
The contest is sharply defined by disparities in resources and early polling According to the most recent Federal Election Commission reports available, filed through Sept. 30, 2025, Krishnamoorthi reported $249 million in total receipts, $6.8 million in disbursements, and $181millioncashonhand
Kellyreported$2.7millioninreceipts,$754,261in spending, and nearly $2 million remaining Strattonreported$21millionraised,$117million spent,andjustunder$920,000cashonhand
In a primary shaped by fundraising totals, momentum narratives, and compressed attentionspans,Strattonisnotaskingvoterstobe impressed.Sheisaskingthemtolookclosely
Apoliticslearnedbeforeoffice
Stratton grew up on the South Side of Chicago, raised by parents who treated service as a daily obligation rather than a career aspiration. Her mothertaught in public schools and community colleges. Her father was a community physician and a Navy veteran Together, they modeled an ethic that would later define Stratton’s understandingofleadership.
“Service is the rent you pay for living on this earth,”shesaid.
She still lives on the South Side She still frames leadership as something practiced in relationship withothers,notimposedfromabove
“ThereisnoJulianaStrattonagenda,”shesaid “It’s the people’s agenda. Government should be a partnertothepeople,notaroadblock”
Before entering electoral politics, Stratton worked as a restorative justice practitioner and ran a mediation and alternative dispute resolution firm She taught negotiation skills across the country, learning early that outcomes depend less on authoritythan on trust and that powerwithout accountabilityrarelyproducesjustice
“You cannot come to a negotiating table with someone who is operating in bad faith,” she said “They’re not trying to do the right thing” That skepticism of powerwithout accountabilitywould followherintopubliclife Theracethatmadeher visible
Stratton’s entry into electoral politics was neither accidental nor symbolic In 2016, she challenged KenDunkinintheDemocraticprimaryforIllinois’ 5thHouseDistrictatamomentofdeepintra-party tension Dunkin had drawn sharp criticism from fellow Democrats for withholding support from legislation that would have reversed cuts to social service programs under Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner
Stratton secured the endorsement of then-President Barack Obama and drew strong backing from labor unions, particularly those representing child care and home care workers Her campaign centered social services,laborprotections,andthebeliefthatDemocratic leadership should not equivocate when vulnerable communitiesareatrisk
She won decisively, capturing 68% of the vote in one of themostexpensiveIllinoisHouseracesofthecycle,with roughly $6 million spent between the candidates. The victoryestablishedhernotasaprotestcandidate,butasa disciplined political operator willing to take risks and capableofwinning
LikemanyIllinoisDemocratsofhergeneration,Stratton benefited from established party infrastructure early in her career but her rise did not follow the traditional leadership pipeline, and she did not assume party or legislativecontrolroles
Fromthelegislaturetotheexecutivebranch
StrattonenteredtheIllinoisHousewithurgencyandlittle patienceforsymbolicwins ByAugust2017,shehadled25 bills, with nine advancing to Gov. Rauner’s desk, and servedonmultiplecommittees
She sponsored legislation ending preschool expulsions, which disproportionately affected Black and Brown childrenandoftensetthemonapathtowardlong-term academic and behavioral consequences She helped dismantleschool-basedbookingstations roomsinside schoolsusedtoprocessstudentarrests makingIllinois oneofthefirststatestooutlawthepracticeentirely.
She did not frame the work as radical She framed it as overdue
When she became lieutenant governorin 2019, Stratton wasclearaboutwhatshewouldnotaccept:aroledefined byceremonyratherthanconsequence.
“ItoldthegovernorIdidn’twanttodothisifthejobwas just, ‘I don’t feel like going send Juliana,’” she said. “I wantedtobringmyfull,authenticselftothetableandbe atruepartneringovernance.”
That team was built on defensive. All publicly available polls conducted to date show Krishnamoorthiwithadouble-digitlead.
The race became a referendum not simply on one lawmaker, but on what Democratic accountability was supposed to look like when core social services were underthreat
According to public records, Stratton has since spearheaded the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative and chairs the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, the Military and Economic Development Council, and theIllinoisRiverCoordinatingCouncil
The shift from legislator to executive forced a recalibration Advocacy became implementation Ideas became systems Progress slowed but impactwidened.
Learningthestate
What Stratton gained in the lieutenant governor ’ s office was not simply a larger platform, but a wider map andadifferentrelationshiptoauthority.
Her portfolio required her to move far beyond the familiar geography of Chicago politics, into rural counties and small towns where state officials often appear only during moments of crisis or election cycles As chair of the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, she convened local leaders around hospital closures,foodinsecurity,andworkforceshortages problems that rarely register as national headlines but define daily life for thousands of Illinois residents
“You can’t govern people you don’t show up for,” Strattonsaid “Andyoucan’tshowuponceandthink that’senough.”
Somemeetingsweretense Incommunitieswaryof Democratic leadership, residents questioned whether state attention would last beyond the visit Othersarrivedcarryingyearsoffrustration,skeptical that government could offer anything beyond sympathy Stratton’s approach was consistent: listen first, resist defensiveness, and return with followthrough evenwhenanswerswereincomplete
She was often the only Black woman in the room Sometimes the only woman at all. She did not foregroundthatfact,butshedidnotignoreiteither Herstrategywasnottowintheroomquickly,butto staylongenoughtobetrusted.
Colleagues describe her governing style as methodical rather than performative someone who prepares extensively, asks detailed questions, and resists speaking before she understands the full context of an issue When disagreements arise, she presses for clarity instead of consensus, believing unresolved tension is preferable to superficial agreement
Governingthroughlivedexperience
Health care remains the throughline of Stratton’s publicwork notasabstraction,butaslivedreality
“When people don’t have access to health care, it’s not just about a doctor or a diagnosis,” she said. “It’s about being able to go to work It’s about caring for your family. It’s about education and generational wealth”
In the interview, Stratton returned repeatedly to health care, accountability, and lived experience issues that have shaped both her record and her decisiontorun
She spoke about rural hospitals on the brink of closure, families choosing between rent and treatment, and life expectancy gaps between ZIP codes that can stretch two decades within the same metropolitanarea
“We don’t have a health care system,” she said “We haveasick-caresystem.”
Askeddirectlyaboutsolutions,shedidnothedge “There’sthebillforMedicareforAll,”Strattonsaid “I wouldsupportthatbill”
At the same time, she is candid about the complexity of reform Affordability, access, providersustainability,andindustryincentivesare deeplymisaligned
“We can’t keep pretendingthis systemworks,”she said “It doesn’t work for families, it doesn’t work forproviders,anditdoesn’tworkforoutcomes.”
Wages,work,anddignity
Stratton speaks less about abstract growth than aboutwhatfamiliescanrealisticallysustain “People need access to health care, ” she said, “and they need a livable wage not minimum, a livablewage.”
Without it, she argues, families are locked into impossible choices between food and medicine,rentandeducation Economicpolicy,in herview,mustbeevaluatedbylivedconsequence, notideologicalneatness
Adeliberaterace,bychoice
Stratton enters the Senate race without many of the structural advantages that define early frontrunners She has rejected corporate PAC money and is building her campaign largely through grassrootssupport
“This is ahardercampaign to build,yes,”she said “Butwhatitdoesnotmakemorechallengingisthe abilitytolookvotersintheeyeandsay,‘Iamhere tofightforyou’”
She is running a deliberate race, prioritizing governing experience and policy depth over spectacle
“Peoplearetiredoftalkingpoints,”shesaid.“They want to know not just what you want to do, but whatyou’vedone.”
Representationasresponsibility
When Stratton became Illinois’first Black lieutenant governor, she did not experience the moment as personaltriumph.“Youdon’tdothistomakehistory,” she said “But you can’t dismiss the importance of makinghistory”
sheoftennotesthatthefirsttimesheeverwalkedinto the Illinois State Capitol was after she had been elected
“HowcanIbeitifIcan’tseeit?”Thatquestionledto Girls Lead, a program Stratton launched to expose young girls to women leaders across state government showing them, early, that power is neitherdistantnorforbidden
Whatleadershipcosts
PubliclifehastaughtStrattonhowtobevisible Ithas notinsulatedherfromwhatvisibilitytakes At home, she is intentional about stillness about cooking, music, dancing in the kitchen, and quiet momentsthatrestoreratherthanperform.
“I have to create space to breathe,” she said “Otherwisetheworkcantakeeverything.” There are moments of doubt Moments when expectationfeelsheavy.
“ButIdon’tletitparalyzeme,”shesaid
Thelongview
Stratton speaks openly about the urgency of the politicalmoment,butsheresistspanicasstrategy. “I’m hopeful,” she said “Not because things are easy but because history shows us that change comes frompeoplewhorefusetogiveup.”
Asked how she wants to be remembered, she does notlisttitles
“Public service is not a monologue,” she said “It’s a dialogue” In a race often measured by speed and scale, Juliana Stratton is asking voters to consider a different standard whether care, accountability, and lived experience are still recognized as qualificationsforpower.
It is not the fastest argument in the field It is, unmistakably,a
TheThrow,thePrayer,thePick
MALACHI WEBSTER - STAFF WRITER
It will go down, fairly, as one of the most ridiculous throws in NFL playoff history Fourthand4, down seven, less than two minutes left in the NFC Divisional Round Caleb Williams took the snap at the Rams’ 14yard line, spun away from immediate pressure, and kept running first sideways, then backwards, then almost out of the televisionframe
Somehow, impossibly, it landed exactly where it needed to Tight end Cole Kmet drifted to the back of the end zone, tracked the ball, and secured the catch for a 14yard touchdown that tied the game at 1717 and forced overtime From the press box to social media, the reaction was instant One national outlet called it “Caleb Williams’ latest wild touchdown pass, ” a play that left fans“speechless”eveninaloss.Videocutups labeled it “the greatest NFL playoff throw ever, ” replaying the scramble from every imaginableangle
Context matters Williams had already throwntwointerceptionsearlierinthegame, includingasecondhalfpickthathandedthe Rams prime field position at midfield The Bears had squandered a firstandgoal from the 5 with conservative playcalling, settling for a turnover on downs that forced their defense to get one last stop just to keep the seasonalive WhenChicagogottheballback atmidfieldwith1:50toplayandonetimeout, the rookie again dragged the offense down thefield,convertingunderpressureuntilthe entireseasonboileddowntothat4thand4
Onthatsinglesnap,Chicagosaweverything itsignedupfor Thecreativityoffscript The refusaltoquitonaplay Thealmostreckless belief that, with enough time and space, Williams could bend reality and coverage shells to his will For a franchise that has cycled through quarterbacks defined by caution, inconsistency or outright fear, the swaggerwasintoxicating
But overtime delivered a harsher lesson After the defense forced the Rams to punt ontheopeningseriesofOT,Williamsagain moved the ball, scrambling for keyyardage andinchingChicagointopotentialfieldgoal range Then came the play that will haunt theoffseason
On a critical down near the edge of Cairo Santos’ comfort zone, Williams targeted DJ Mooreonadeepconcept RamssafetyKam Curl broke on the ball, undercut the route andcameupwithadivinginterceptionthat flipped the field and effectively ended Chicago’s season. Matthew Stafford marchedtheRamsintorangeandHarrison Mevis drilled the walkoff, 20–17, to push LA totheNFCChampionshipGame
Afterward, Williams admitted that the turnover was on him, explaining that he expectedMooretoflattentheroutewhilethe receiver took it higher, creating the window Curl exploited “That one ’ s on me, ” Williams toldreportersafterthegameconcedingitwasa “big flub” in communication at the worst possible moment If the endofregulation throwtoKmetlookedlikeaprayeranswered, the overtime pick looked like a message missed
For Chicago, the stakes of that contrast are enormous.Williams’secondseasongavethe Bears everything they claimed to want: an NFC North title, theirfirst playoffvictoryin 15 years, and a national identity built on lategame chaos that somehow, week after week,endedwiththeballintherighthands. The Rams game proved that identity cuts both ways Living on miracle plays means livingwiththepossibilitythat,onesnaplater, the same instincts will turn an overtime opportunityintoanoffseasonautopsy.
Theviralhighlightwillliveforever Sowilltheboxscore One desperate, eyeshalfclosed heave that pulled Chicagointoovertime andonemisreadthatslammed the doorshut Between those two throws is the gap the Bearsnowhavetoclose.
New Podcast on The CNWNetwork!
We’re starting off the new year with a BOOM! Check out the inaugural episode of Chicago State of Mind with our first guest Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton We explore the roots of her personhood to understand her latest quest in politics. Available on all podcast platforms.
WithGratitudeandPraisefor2026
GwendolynCaroleTipton
NNPANewswire-TheCincinnatiHerald
Here in 2026, we must not forget Hisbenefitsfrom2025
We have already received and continue to receive Spiritual Blessings ApostlePauldeclaresthat God has blessed believers with “ every spiritual blessing” They encompass gifts of redemption, including forgiveness, grace, and the promise of eternal life These blessings are not based on human merit but are freelygiven byGod’s grace.
The timeless nature of these spiritual blessings goes beyond our everyday needs, offering comfort and purpose in aworld often filled withchaosanduncertainty.
Understanding our identity in Christ can bring hope and transformation, allowing us to shape our perspective and actions We should pray for a deeper understanding and appreciation of these spiritual blessings, that we may walk in the fullness of God’s graceandpurpose
Look back on 2025. Remember His forgiveness when we did not follow Him, the grace that carried us through,andtheultimatepromiseof eternallife
The book of Ephesians invites believers to reflect on their new creation in Christ and the immense blessingstheyhavereceived Theyare chosen,redeemed,andsealedbythe Holy Spirit These verses encourage believers to live in gratitude and glorifyGodforHisgraceandpurpose inourlives
Prayer:WithGratitudeandPraisefor 2026, we come before You, Lord, praying that we may continue receiving Your spiritual blessings, Your forgiveness, Your choosing us, and bringing us to this place in our lives Lord, in this new year, we are asking You to direct our paths. We will not lean on our own understanding but look toward you for direction We commit ourselves to do more, be more, and act more like Christ. Please show us the way. Amen
RYAN WILLIS - CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Inside Sanders BBQ Supply Co.’s Rise in Beverly
On a cold January afternoon in Beverly, thelineatSandersBBQSupplyCo.tells you what you need to know before you even taste a bite: this isn’t just a neighborhood spot anymore it’s a destination
For James Sanders, that journey started long before the media buzz and the growing talk of expansion “I just had a dream of coming out of the hood, as everyoneprettymuchdoes,”hetoldme Sanders was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, a place he describes plainly: a small town known for being the birthplace of Miles Davis, violence andgreatathletes “Ialwayshadadream of achieving more… doing more and doingbetter” Barbecue wasn’t a trendy pivot for him itwashome
He remembers the open pit in his childhood backyard, built when his family bought their house His father cooked regularly, and people naturally gathered around the fire “Everyone gravitatedtothisopenpit,”Sanderssaid. “Itwasfamily camaraderie unitywith barbecue.Thatexcitement.”
Even after college at Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale,wherehesayshe was constantly cooking for fraternity brothers, Sanders’ path initially leaned intofinedining.Butaboutadecadeago, hispassionshifted Hegrewtiredofwhat he calls the “celebrity chef” wave and returned to what felt authentic smoke, fire, and honest food He began cooking on a small Weber grill in his backyard, feedingfriendswhobecamehistoughest critics
That backyard discipline eventually becamethefoundationforwhatSanders now calls craft barbecue not in a pretentious way, but in a “watch it happen” way “When I say craft, I’m talking about seeing a person cutting brisket in front of you, ” he explained “Wegotwood Livefire Alloursidesare madefromscratch.”
This wasn’t meant as a knock on legacy South Side institutions Sanders is clear abouthisrespectforbusinessesthathave survivedfordecades
But he believed there was room for something Chicago didn’t have enough of: a barbecue experience rooted in technique,transparency,anddetail
And for Sanders, the “experience” is the point
When I asked what brings people from all over the city, he didn’t start with seasoning or sauce He started with hospitality “The experience and the customer service first,” he said “Everyone walks in, greet them with a smile… happyto see them.”Then comes the part that feels rare in a city where most people order and wait: sampling. “You get the sample of the barbecue everything you want to try” While customers wait, they talk to each other, swap opinions, and become part of the moment.Thelinebecomescommunity.
Staying rooted on the South Side wasn’t negotiable. “It had to be on the South Side,” he told me He watched the Beverly location from a distance, suspecting it wouldn’t survive the postpandemic business climate When the space began closing, Sanders moved with urgency and preparation A chance conversation with a fellow businessownerledhimtothelandlord’s number The landlord asked for a business plan Sanders sent it the same night
The next morning, he got the call: the space was his No credit check, no extended back-and-forth. Just readiness meetingopportunity
Even with national recognition and a second location planned in Hyde Park, Sanders doesn’t talk like someone who believeshe’s“madeit”
He repeats a phrase that feels central to hismindset:improvementisdaily.“Istill don’t think I got everything right,” he said “Every day is a good day for improvement we ’ re still tweaking the recipe”
That humility doesn’t mean he lacks confidence especiallywhenitcomesto what barbecue means in the Black community. “We don’t play about our barbecue,”hesaid,laughing
That humility doesn’t mean he lacks confidence especiallywhenitcomesto what barbecue means in the Black community. “We don’t play about our barbecue,” he said, laughing “We take barbecuepersonal…likewetakeoursoul food” He also pushes back against the ideathatbarbecueisoneuniversalflavor
It’s regional St Louis, Kansas City, Texas, Carolina and Sanders makes sauces in-house so customers can explore that range without losing the familiarcomforttheygrewupwith
But the story of Sanders BBQ is bigger thanbrisket
Sanders and his business partner an Englewood-raised dentist see community investment as part of the job. He spoke about creating moments for kids who show promise, including inviting a young aspiring chef into the restaurant’s world “Some people may have a skill that college can’t teach,” he said. For Sanders, the goal is to “grab thosepeople showthemtheway,”not justservethemfood.
“Ijustkeptshowingup
followed.”
Near the end of our conversation, I asked him to finish a sentence: “SandersBBQismorethanfood.It’s…” Hedidn’thesitate “Relationship”
Andthatmightbethesecretingredient that keeps pulling Chicago back to Beverly againandagain
When I asked what success looks like beyond revenue, he didn’t pretend money doesn’t matter. “If we ’ re not making it out of the black we close down,” he said. But success, to him, is counting wins: a kid finding direction, a team member leveling up, and yes unexpected recognition that still feels surreal for someone who started low to thegroundonabackyardgrill.
Greenland,Trump,andtheMisuseof “Imperialism”asPoliticalTheater
The outrage surrounding Donald Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring Greenland has always been curious not because skepticism is unwarranted, but because the loudest criticisms so often rest on intellectually unserious foundations Much of the backlash, particularly from the progressive left, frames the idea as an expression of white supremacy, imperialism, and colonial entitlement These accusations are rhetoricallypotent,butanalyticallyhollow They substitute moral signaling for historical understanding and emotional reflex for geopoliticalliteracy
There are legitimate grounds on which to criticize Trump’s proposal A unilateral attempt by any US president to purchase Greenland would raise serious questions about diplomatic norms, alliance cohesion, and the stabilityof the post–WorldWarIIinternationalorder.NATOis not merely a military alliance; it is a trust-based systemdependentonpredictabilityandrestraint amongitsmembers Disruptingthatequilibrium for the sake of transactional deal-making would bereckless.Thesearesober,defensiblecritiques.
Whatisnotdefensibleisthereflexiveinvocation of “imperialism” and “colonialism” as if they are self-evident disqualifiers particularly when appliedselectivelyandahistorically
Greenland is not an independent nation being targeted for conquest It is, by every legal and political definition, a colony of Denmark albeit one that has gradually achieved significant autonomy over the last several decades. Denmark’s presence in Greenland dates back to Norse settlements in the 10th century and was formalized as colonial rule in the 18th century While Greenland has made meaningful strides toward self-governance since the mid-20th century, including control over many domestic affairs, it remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark Foreignpolicy,defense,andmonetary authoritystillresideinCopenhagen
To denounce Trump’s interest in Greenland as colonialist while remaining conspicuously silent aboutDenmark’songoingsovereigntyovertheisland is not principled opposition it is ideological hypocrisy.
If the moral objection is truly about colonial domination, then that critique must be applied consistently Yet the same voices decrying American “imperial ambition” rarely call for Denmark to relinquish control or demand immediate Greenlandicindependence Nordotheyobjecttothe longstanding U.S. military presence on the island, including Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), which has been operational for decades with Danish consent The United States already exercises strategicinfluenceoverGreenlandbecauseitslocation isindispensabletoArcticsecurity,missiledefense,and emerginggreat-powercompetition
This selective outrage reveals the underlying animus is not colonialism it is Trump “Trump Derangement Syndrome” may be an overused phrase, but it remains an accurate descriptor of a political pathology in which opposition becomes so reflexive that it abandons coherence. Under this mindset, the same action is moral or immoral dependingsolelyonwho proposes it.When strategic interests are advanced quietly through bureaucratic consensus,theyaredeemedprudentstatecraft When articulatedbluntlybyTrump,theyarerecastasmoral abominations
Itisalsoworthnotingthatacquiringterritorythrough negotiation and compensation however improbable or ill-advised is not historically equivalenttoimperialconquest
The United States has a long record of territorial expansion through purchase rather than war, includingtheLouisianaPurchaseandtheacquisition ofAlaska One may argue that such transactions are outdated or inappropriate in the modern era, but conflatingthemwithracializedimperialdomination isintellectuallylazy
NoneofthisistosuggestthatGreenlandshouldbe“sold”or thatitspeople’saspirationsshouldbesubordinatedtogreatpower interests On the contrary, any serious discussion about Greenland’s future must center on Greenlanders themselves. Self-determination is not a slogan; it is a principle Butinvokingthatprincipleselectively onlywhen it can be weaponized against a political adversary underminesitscredibility
The more serious conversationwe should be having is about howArctic geopolitics, climate change, resource competition, and security imperatives are reshaping global power dynamics Russia and China understand thiswell Pretending that interest in Greenland emerged fromTrump’s ego rather thanstructuralrealitiesisaconvenientfiction.
Criticize Trump if you must but do so honestly Ground the argument in alliance stability, diplomatic norms, and international law. Abandon the theatrics. When “imperialism” becomes a rhetorical bludgeon ratherthan an analytical tool, it ceases to illuminate and instead obscures the very realities we claimtocareabout
David Seaton, Columnist, Host of The David Seaton Show on WVON1690/YouTube
Endorsed
By Dr. Willie Wilson
Richard Boykin
caresabout people. He willmake life more affordable for families and seniors. He is an experienced leader we can trust.
Priorities of the 7th District
Lower Costs. More Jobs. Safe Streets.
ARTS&CULTURE
Who knew that the weather could be so intimately connected to culture?
KAI EL’ ZABAR - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Thismorning,afterdecidingtobravethecold,Ithoughtbacktolastyear, whenaproposedChicagoordinancetobannewrealfursaleswasbroughtto the floor The ban requiring retailers to switch to synthetic materials advancedintheCityCouncil’sLicenseCommitteeinearlyMarch2025,in thespringnoless,butultimatelyfailedtopassthefullCityCouncilinaMarch 12, 2025 vote. Opponents cited economic harm to businesses, including Black-owned furriers, as well as concerns about the lack of humane productionmethodsforalternativematerials
Themeasureaimedtocurbanimalcruelty,butargumentsaboutbusiness impact and industry evolution ultimately led to its defeat And here is the pointofthisarticle:asIpreparedfortheday,Ifoundmyselfthinking,Man, amIhappythatIhaveafurcoat.Ilovegoosedown,fauxfur,andothermanmade products that promise warmth; however, the truth is that nothing keepsyouwarmlikeafurcoatFact
SoIlaughedandthought,Wow weinChicagoreallydodgedabullet.The realityofthatproposedordinancewouldhavehadaseriousimpactonour comfort level today and in the days to come, especially as we face Arctic vortexconditions
It’sworthnotingthathumankindhasalwayshadarelationshipwithnature the responsibility lies in respecting the natural order. While we have gone overboard in many ways, early humans understood interdependence, muchliketheanimalkingdom’sunderstandingof thekill Animalshunted when hungry; killing for thrill was not the norm That is why, historically, lions,elephants,andhyenascouldbeseenwalkingtogetherintheSerengeti Theydidnotattackunlesshungerorterritorialthreatdemandedit
Thenotionthatmodernhumanshavemovedbeyondtheessentialneedfor furasprotectionfromthecoldholdstrue untilyoufindyourselfexposed to extreme conditions for extended periods What becomes clear is that survivaltodayispossiblelargelybecausewenolongerendurehoursinthe coldasearlyhumansdidWehaveheatedhomes,cars,andoffices
Though I am glad that fur coats remain available for sale, I revisited the argumentsfurriersmadeintheirdefense,whichwereprimarilyeconomic Theynotedthatthebanwoulddevastatelong-standingbusinesses,withone furrierstatingitwouldtakeyearstodismantlea30-yearoperation
The business impact raised by some members of the Black Caucus centered on the fact that the ban would disproportionately harm Blackownedbusinesses Iseethisasamissedopportunitywhereart,culture,and commercemighthavecometogethertocreatemutualrespectforanimal life,humanneed,andeconomicsurvival
Thesaleoffurhasundeniablybecomemoreaboutvanitythannecessity.Yet thesavinggraceisthatfurdesignisintricatelywovenintothefashionworld. Wecannotdenythat Thecraftsmanshipoffurgarmentsis,undeniably,a formofartFurhasbecomeasymbolofbeauty,success,andprestige
Perhaps moving forward, we might reduce the annual production of fur itemsasawaytohonorandrespecttheanimalssacrificedforartandvanity ratherthansurvival.
Finally,itoccurredtomehoweasyitwasforChicagoaldermentoconsider this ordinance acceptable in March Had it come up for review during a momentlikenow,farmorecitizenswouldlikelyhavebeenupinarms. So,people begratefulfortheblessingWedodgedabullet
AndIameternallygratefultomeetthisweatherwrappedinfur
a.ITheAnswerIs..
We’venoticedtherepeateduse ofthreewords memorandum, abrogate,andtranscend appearingacrossmanypagesof media,andIbegantowonder howtheyareallrelated.WhatI discoveredisthat,althoughthey originateindifferentspheresof life(business,law,and philosophy),theysharea commonthreadinhowwe establish,dissolve,andmove beyondboundaries Please indulgeus
1Memorandum
Definition:Awrittenmessage, record,ornoteusedto communicateinformation withinanorganizationorto documentthetermsofan agreement
Context:Inbusiness,itisoften shortenedtomemo Inlegal contexts,aMemorandumof Understanding(MOU)servesas aformal thoughoften nonbinding recordofa proposedagreement
KeyIdea:Documentationand preservationofintent
2 Abrogate
Definition:Torepeal,cancel,or doawaywithalaw,right,or formalagreement Itcanalso meantoevadeorabandona responsibilityorduty
Context:Thisisahigh-level, formalterm Agovernment mightabrogateatreaty,ora companymightabrogateits contractualobligations
KeyIdea:Theformal nullificationofaruleor establishedorder.
3 Transcend
Definition:Toriseaboveor gobeyondthelimitsof something;totriumphover negativeorrestrictiveaspects
Context:Thiswordisoften usedinphilosophicalor spiritualsettings(eg, “transcendingone’sego”)or moregenerallytodescribe exceedingexpectations(eg, “herperformance transcendedallexpectations”)
Bydismantlingtheseoutdated rules,theboardhopedthe companywouldfinallytranscend itsreputationasatraditional manufacturerandemergeasa cutting-edgeleaderinthedigital space ” KeyIdea:Surpassing boundariesorlimitations.
TheInterconnection:The LifecycleofanIdea Whilethesewordsmayseem distinct,theycanbe understoodasstagesinthe evolutionofanagreement,a law,orevenapersonalbelief system.
EstablishmentMemorandum
Youdocumentasetofrules,a promise,orashared understanding Itprovidesthe anchorforthecurrentreality.
Dissolution Abrogate Youformallyendthatreality Therulesestablishedinthe memorandumarerendered void,oftenbecausetheyno longerservetheirpurposeor havebeenviolated
Evolution Transcend Youmoveintoastatewhere thepreviousrulesor documentsarenolonger necessary Youhaven’tmerely “canceled”theoldway you havegrownbeyondtheneed foritentirely
APracticalExample:International Relations Twonationssignamemorandum tocooperateontrade Yearslater,duetoconflict,one nationdecidestoabrogatethe treaty,nullifyingtheprevious agreement.
Eventually,thetwoculturesmay transcendtheirhistoricalanimosity, formingadeeper,moreorganic bondthatnolongerreliesonstrict legaldocumentstomaintainpeace.
Inprofessionalsettings,thesewords oftendescribetheprocessof organizationalchange Hereishow theymightappeartogetherina businesscontext:
“Theleadershipteamrecently circulatedamemorandumtoall departments,signalingitsintentto abrogaterestrictivelegacypolicies thathadstifledinnovationfor years.
HowTheseWordsFunctionin ThisContext
Memorandum:Theformaltool usedtocommunicatechange Abrogate:Theactivestepof cancelingineffectiveoroutdated rules
Transcend:Theultimategoal risingabovetheorganization’s previouslimitations
Youarenowproperlyprepared toengageinadeeperdialogue aboutthesewordsandtheir interconnectionaswenavigate themanyissuesthatsurfacedaily inournewsfeeds
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ENTERTAINMENT
Hollywood’sPerceptionofBlackImagination
LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR
AsofJanuary23,Sinnershasamassedoneofthemostformidableawards-season runsinrecentmemory:16AcademyAwardnominations,aleading18NAACPImage Awardnominations,and7GoldenGlobenominations,with2GoldenGlobewins alreadysecured Thescaleofrecognitionishistoricbyanymetric,placingthefilm firmlyatthecenterofHollywood’sculturalconversation
Butnumbersalonedon’texplainwhatSinnersrepresents Whatthismoment ultimatelyrevealsisnotthearrivalofBlackimaginationintothemainstream,butthe limitsofHollywood’simaginationaboutBlackcreativity specifically,whatthe industryiswillingtofinance,circulate,andrewardatscale
Thatdistinctionmatters Blackfilmmakershavelongdemonstratedrange,formal sophistication,andgenrefluency Theunresolvedquestionhasneverbeenwhether Blackcreatorscandothework,butwhethertheindustrybelievesthatworkcanexist withoutcaveats withoutbeingexplained,softened,orframedasniche
GenreasIndustrialLanguage
Sinnersisagenrefilm,andthatfactiscentraltoitsreception InHollywood,genre functionslessasanartisticcategorythanasanindustriallanguage Itsignalsmarket behavior,audienceexpectation,andfinancialrisk.Horrorandthrillerfilmsarrive withbuilt-inframeworksthatreassurestudios,marketers,andawardsbodiesalike Blackfilmmakershavealwaysworkedwithinthesemodes,butBlackgenrefilms havehistoricallybeentreatedasanomalies culturallyspecificratherthanformally universal OutsideofrarecasessuchasJordanPeele,Black-ledgenreprojectsare oftenunderfunded,under-marketed,orredirectedtowardsocialrealism,asif Blackimaginationwerebestconfinedtoanarrowemotionalregister.
Sinnersdidnotdismantlethathierarchy. Itnavigatedit ThefilmembedsBlack culturalexperienceinsideaform Hollywoodalreadyunderstands,without pausingtotranslateitselfforanimagined outsideviewer.ItsBlacknessisnot ornamentalorexplanatory;itisstructural Thatcombination formallegibility pairedwithculturalspecificity iswhat makesthefilmreadabletoinstitutions thatoftenmistakefamiliarityfor universality
RecognitionIsAboutComfort,Not Discovery
Thefilm’ssweep fromourownNAACP ImageAwardstotheAcademyAwards has beenframedasvalidation Butvalidation impliesatestbeingpassed,astandardfinally met Awardsrecognition,however,islessa measureofartisticmeritthanofinstitutional comfort.
HollywooddidnotsuddenlydiscoverBlack creativity.Itrecognizedafilmwhoseformal elements genreconventions,scale,pacing, andstarpower alignedwithitsexisting evaluativetools.Sinnerswasnotexceptional becauseitexceededexpectations;itwas legiblebecauseitfitwithinthemwhile refusingtonarrowitsculturalframe
Thatlegibilityshouldnotbeconfusedwith liberation
InstitutionalTrustandCreativeLatitude Thisalignmentisinseparablefromthe film’smakers RyanCooglerandMichaelB Jordanoccupyararepositionin contemporaryHollywood:Blackcreators whohaveaccumulatedinstitutionaltrust withoutrelinquishingauthorship Since FruitvaleStation,theirworkhas demonstratedanabilitytomovebetween intimaterealismandlarge-scaleproduction whilemaintainingthematiccoherenceand audienceengagement
Theirinvolvementreframestheproject’s riskprofile Sinnerswasnotaspeculative gambleonBlacktalent;itwasaninvestment inprovencollaboratorsoperatingwithina recognizablecinematicgrammar Blackness hereisnotpitchedasnoveltyorexception butasagiven embeddedwithinaform Hollywoodalreadyknowshowtocirculate
Theimplicationisstructural Theindustry’s opennesstoBlackcreativityexpands primarilywhenthatcreativityismediated byfamiliarity,precedent,andscale The constraintisnotimagination;itis confidence.
FilmPrestige,TelevisionPrecarity Theindustry’swillingnesstoreward Blackfilmmakingatitsmostpolished contrastssharplywithhowBlack televisionistreated Prestigefilmsare allowedtoaccumulateculturalcapital overtime throughfestivals,awards cycles,andextendedcritical engagement Black-ledtelevision,by contrast,israrelygrantedcomparable patience
Thisisnotajudgmentonindividual series Itisanobservationabouttime Blackshowsarefrequentlyevaluated onacceleratedtimelines,withlimited marketingsupportandlittletolerance forgradualaudiencegrowth.Theyare expectedtosucceedimmediately, oftenwithoutthehalf-seasons, recalibrations,orslow-burnaudience developmentthathavesustainedmany now-canonicalshows
ProjectssuchasBlackCakeand Unprisonedexistwithinthis compressedevaluativeframework. Regardlessofgenreortone,Black televisionisrarelyaffordedtheluxury oftime togrow,recalibrate,orbenefit fromdelayedword-of-mouth The issueisnotthatBlackshowsfail Itis thattheyarerarelyallowedtomature
WhatSinnersActuallyTellsUs
SinnersdoesnotredefinewhatBlack creatorsarecapableof;itexposeshow narrowlyHollywoodstilldefineswhat Blackcreativityisallowedtolooklike atscale.Thefilmshowsthatwhen Blackcreatorsworkwithinformsthe industryalreadyvalues genre, institutionaltrust,andrecognizable structure theirworkbecomeslegible enoughtoberewarded Thatlegibility, however,isnotfreedom.Itis negotiation
Regardlessofthebillingofthestaror director,thedeeperissueremains structural WhileSinners’nominations areworthcelebrating,realprogress wouldmeangivingBlackcreatorsthe time,space,andpatiencetobuild sustainedbodiesofwork notjust singular,awards-friendlymoments Themeasureofchangeisnotone seasonofrecognition,butwhether Blackcreativesareaffordedmultiple chances,long-termdevelopment,and creativelongevity Untilthatcontinuity isnormalized,Blacksuccesswill continuetoregisterasexceptionrather thanexpectation
AuntJai’sGumbo
MARE EVANS - STAFF WRITER
TheMardiGrasseasonisuponus,soget readynow In2026,MardiGrasculminates onTuesday,February17 FatTuesday markingtheendoftheCarnivalseasonthat beginsonJanuary6(TwelfthNight) From paradesandballstoKingCakesandstreetcornerrevelry,celebrationstakeoverNew OrleansandextendtocitieslikeGalveston andLafayette,withpeakfestivitiesduringthe finalweekendandonFatTuesdayitself
Lookingforagreatgumborecipe,Ilanded on“AuntJai’sGumbo,”sharedwiththeworld inAlisonSaar’sbookRecipesforTrouble It’s allaboutconjurin’inthekitchen cookingby feelratherthanstrictmeasurement.Ifyou’ve evercookedwithyourgreat-grandmotheror grandmother,youknowtherhythm:the syncopationofingredientsmatters. Improvisationisn’tjustallowed it’s encouraged
Gumboisanopportunitytostew,soit’sgame on Startwithanokrabase,whichgivesyou roomtoimproviseandaddwhatever ingredientsyoulike.Usingsmallokrapods cookedwholeifyouwish canhelpavoid theslimytexturesomecookstry(andoften fail)toprevent.Otherconsiderationsinclude chicken,ham,andouille,shrimp,crab,or crawdads
Ifyou’recookingforvegetariansorvegans, simplyleavethebaseasis
INGREDIENTS
ROUX
-⅔cupvegetableoilorshortening -⅔cupflour
GUMBO
-1poundokra(small,whole)
-1cupchoppedonion
-¾cupchoppedcelery
-2clovesgarlic,minced -½cupchoppedgreenpepper -½cupchoppedgreenonions -¼cupchoppedfreshparsley -1bayleaf
-¾teaspoondriedthymeleaves
-½teaspoondriedmarjoram -½teaspoondriedbasil -½teaspooncayennepepper
-2cupschoppedtomatoes
-1quartvegetablestock
-1poundandouillesausage,sliced -½poundham
-2poundschicken(darkmeat preferred)
-Shrimp,crab,orcrawdads(asmany asdesired,inanycombinationyou like)
-Saltandpepper,totaste
Hotsauceofchoice(obligatory) Steamedrice,forserving
PREPARATION
Roux
1.Heattheoilorshorteninginalargepot.
2.Slowlyaddtheflour,stirringconstantly.
3Goroundandround’tilit’scaramelbrown 4Keepawatchfuleye don’tletitburn,oryou’ll havetotakeanotherturn(burntwon’tdo)
Gumbo
1.Totheroux,addokra,onion,celery,garlic,and greenpepper Cookuntiltheokraiscrispbut tender
2Herbsandspicesgorightonin Thentomatoes andbroth getitsimmerin’
3.Pileinthesausage,ham,andchickenmeat.Cook onlowheatforonehour.
4.Addtheseafood;infiveminutesproclaim Laissezlesbontempsrouler!
5Seizethemomenttoseason,fornottodoso wouldbecommittingtreason
6Spoonoverrice oreatstraightfromthepot
FashionIconValentinoDiesand1990ShoesStylesare
Reborn
C L BLACKBURN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The year 2026 kicked off the fashion world withafarewelltoValentinowhopassedat93 years of age. Known as the designer to the stars,heheldnothingback Hiscreationswere certainlybeautiful,andattimesbreathtaking LikeArmaniIamcertainthattheywereglad to go when the time came because the fashion has become so crass leaving nothing to the imagination. Valentino was magical in making every woman he designed for look unique and her essence expressed through the magic of his designs. The designs were alwaysfeminine,soft,beautiful,exquisiteand sexy on the women without exposing their nakedness.Hewillbemissed.
Ontherunwaywewitnessedacomebackofsix stylesofshoethatapparentlycomplimentsthe newshoe designs of 2026 are borrowingfrom the90’sprovingthatthere’snothingnewunder thesun Hereweidentifiedsixstylesthathave madeacomeback
Thanks to Matthieu Blazy the two-tone heeled shoes are back The 1992, Chanel immortalized what became the iconic shoe that opened the show wearing an elegant black-and-white pair, which continue to this day to be worn on and off the runways. Just sport them with current looks for classic triangle toe silhouettes, and style them faithfully with skirt suits, tailored pants, and dresses, or modernize them with some straight-legjeans
The Mary Jane shoe can get a bad rep sometimes, they can come across quite schoolgirlish But some folks like that Got to style them right, to their endlessly feminine andchicpoints..Justtakethesharp-toedand wedge styles of Prada and style fit in on the streetsofMilanoandRoma
They’re back because it is impossible to talk about the footwear that reigned in the ’90s without mentioning transparent heels. They remainedaforceuntilthemid2000’s Today, brands like Vetements and Maison Margiela putthissexy,sensualshoebackontheradar. Themuleisonepairofheelsthatscreamsin the ’90s The minimalist sandal has some seriousstarpower,wornbytopmodelsfrom KateMosstoCindyCrawford
Nostalgia shoe designs are in adding a more modern edge. Last season, Gucci reinvented its iconic red Ancora loafers from the ’90s This time around, the platform is raising another few inches to become more outre and extreme Perfect for giving a glamorous twist to mini-dresses, micro-shorts, flared pants, and teeny-tinyskirts.This is an option that stands out forhowversatile and timeless adesignitis
The infallible square toe heels is a sophisticated style with a masculine touch. Square toe heels can’t be missed on this list Miu Miu, Prada, and Alexander McQueen haveallproducedtheirownversions.Kendall Jenner, Rosalia, and Daisy Edgar-Jones can often be found in a square-toed set, usually styled with elegant, tailored pants and blue jeans
