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E-NOTES
NakednessisFreeing: NothingisHidden.
EverythingisExposed
If I had to assess the majority of people I know, especiallythoseoftheCatholicfaith,I’dbeinclined tosaythattheyareperhapsthemostpiousandleast likelytofeelcomfortablenaked They’renotalone Most people are uncomfortable with their own nakednessandareactuallyembarrassedbyit
I have always been comfortable with my nakedness untilIwasn’t.Asayouth,Iwould wash my mother’s back for her, as I did for her sister,myaunt Theyhadbathedmeasachild,soit seemedverynatural.Iwasnotembarrassedtowalk inonmymother,catchingaglimpseofhernaked asshedressedforasocialaffair.
Attimessheevenaskedformyassistance tozip herdressorhelpwithherlong-waistedbra Growing up with no brothers, the comfortability of being nakedinthecompanyofotherwomenwasnurtured and seemed natural. Of course, we did not do so aroundourfatherWeknewthattobedifferent
MysistersandIweretaughttobeladiesandcarry ourselvesrespectfully Paradingnakedinthepresence of our father was not permitted We were always appropriatelydressedinthehome,whichsometimes meantsportingarobeHowever,wewerecomfortable withourbodiesandwithourselves.
Weweretaughtthatourbodieswerebeautifuland felt very comfortable in our skin. My point: we comeintothisworldbornnaked,beautifulbabies Thereisnoshameinaninfant’snakedness Weall adore and shower them with love, change their diapers,bathethem,andhugthemwithabountiful showeroflove.
With that said, unfortunately, most of us probably can’trememberthelasttimewewerecomfortably nakedforaperiodoftimelongerthan20minutesor soManyofusareonlynakedforthelengthoftimeit takesustoshowerorbathe.Wequicklydryoffand putourclothesorpajamasonwithouttakingevena momenttoenjoythefeelingoftheairagainstourbare skin.
Irecallbeinginashareddormroomoneweekend whenmybestfriendwasvisiting.Weshoweredand enteredmyroom,whichIsharedwithanotheryoung ladyTooursurprise,aswelaughedandtalkedwhile lathering our bodies with lotion and baby oil, my roommatewasextremelyuncomfortable
Whenaskedifwewerelesbians,welaughedinshock,thinkingour roommatewasfrigidorcrazyBothmybestfriendandIcamefrom families with sisters and often spent time nude in the sauna on campus, discussing beauty routines, which our roommate found unusual
Mostofuslearnedthatnakednesswaspersonalandnottobeshared. Evenmarriedcouplesdidn’tparadetheirnakedness Womenspent moneyonsexylingerietoenticetheirhusbandsorlovers,andthemen wore their boxers and aftershave cologne to bed They undressed underthecovers
Thiswasthewaytodothings.Welearnedthatournakedselveswere somethingtohidefromothersatayoungage Mostofusmaynot have been exposed to another way of thinking For instance, my roommatemayhavebeeninfluencedbythenaturalnessexpressed withournuditybymyfriend,SDC,andme
Oldladiesandyounggirlssitsidebyside,seeminglywithoutconcern for how they appear. We see that it is not necessary to hide our imperfections; from cellulite to wrinkles, all is accepted with equilibrium.Wecanseethebeautyandnaturalnessofourdifferent bodies,acceptingourselvesasjustright,justasweareBeingnakedin front of children can be discussed with your spouse, and a plan developedforyourfamily.Childrenhavetheirwayoflettingyou knowwhentheyarereadyforaclothes-onlyfamily
Embracingyournakedselfcanfosterfreedomandself-acceptance. Startwith10minutesofself-explorationintheshowerorbathtolearn aboutyourbodyanditsuniquefeatures Graduallyextendthistime, enjoyingactivitieslikereadingorsleepingnude,whichcanenhance comfortandjoy Considerbeingnudeinprivateoutdoorspacesor engaging in creative activities. Ultimately, embracing nudity can cultivatefeelingsofcontentment,freedom,andself-love
Black athletes often become overnight millionaires in their early twenties with limited financial education, extensive family obligations, and social circles that includepeopleoperatingonthemarginsof legality
"These aren't bad people," says a former NBA player agent who requested anonymity. "They're young men who suddenlyhavemillionsofdollarsandfifty peopleintheireartellingthemhowtouse it Some of those people have good intentions Some don't And when gambling gets involved, you've got the perfectstorm."
TheExploitationPipeline
An athlete usually young, usually earning their first substantial contract getsapproachedbysomeonetheytrust.A childhood friend. A family member. Someonewhowastherebeforethefame.
Thatpersonintroducesthemtosomeone who runs a sports betting operation Nothingillegal,theysayJustinformation sharing.Justconversations.
“Because sports betting is now legal and ubiquitous, it doesn't feel dangerous The NBApromotesit Howbadcoulditbe?
Then come the requests. "What's your injurystatus?""Areyouplayingtonight?" The athlete answers. Why not? It's just conversation
Then money changes hands A "gift" A "bonus"Nothingtieddirectlytogambling, ofcourse
Hisagency,CAA,mobilizedacrisismanagement team The Dodgers stood by him MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made statements emphasizingOhtani'svictimhood
When Jontay Porter's case broke, the Raptors cut him immediately. His agent dropped him. There was no crisis management team No sympathetic presscoverage Nopossibilityofredemptionwritten intohispunishment
"That's the difference between being an asset and beingexpendable,"saystheformeragent."Ohtaniis worth $700 million to the Dodgers. He's untouchable Porterwasonatwo-waycontract He's replaceableTheinstitutionsprotectwhotheyvalue"
And in American sports, valuation often breaks downalongraciallines
TheBusinessofBetting
Sports betting is a business designed to extract wealth from vulnerable populations Sportsbooks target young men They target communities of color They advertise relentlessly in spaces where disposable income is limited but hope is high. READ More on our websiteatwww.cnwmedia.com.
On October 17, the Democratic PartyofIllinoishelditsfirstBeauty ofPolitics:AWomen’sTownHall Salon Conversation at I AM PreciousJewels,aBlackwomenownedbeautysalononChicago’s SouthSide TheDemocraticParty of Illinois held its first Beauty of Politics: A Women’s Town Hall SalonConversationthiseveningatI
AM Precious Jewels, a Black women-owned beauty salon on Chicago’sSouthSide
TThe event brought community memberstogetherforadiscussion onhowpoliticsintersectswithdaily life in a setting that felt local, welcoming, andculturallyresonant Moderator Abierre Minor, CommissionerfortheCommunity CommissionforPublicSafetyand-
CNW STAFF REPORT
The City of Chicago has joined eight other local governments in filing a federal lawsuit against the TrumpAdministration,challenging new restrictions on US DepartmentofHomelandSecurity (DHS)andFEMAgrants
Accountability,ledtheconversation withpanelistsLieutenantGovernor Juliana Stratton, entrepreneur and health care professional Kierra Reed,andmentalhealthandsocial justiceleaderDrPaviFoster
DPIChairLisaHernandezsaidthe eventwasdesignedtoconnectwith community members where they liveandwork“Tonight’seventwas about meeting people where they are,andlisteningtoBlackwomen’s livedexperiences,”saidHernandez
Lieutenant Governor Stratton reflected on the importance of creatingspaceswherewomencan discussissuesthataffecttheirlives “Asamomoffourdaughters,I’ve always fought for a world where everywomancanthrive–
and everyday spaces like beauty salons can also be spaces for meaningful conversations about how to create those opportunities and deliver real progress for our communities,” Stratton said. “From birth equity to education, entrepreneurship, and building generationalwealth,mymissionis to ensure that every woman –regardlessofrace,background,or zip code – Read more on www.cnwmedia.com
COVERSTORY
THEPURGEISCOMING
ByMalachiWebster
EMPTY REFRIGERATORS BROKEN PROMISES
They call it a fiscal cliff A budgetary necessity A temporary emergency measure that's finally expiring. But for 3.2 million Americans including 487,000 Chicagoans the potential loss of SNAPbenefitsisn'tpolicyIt'sthepurge
“NottheHollywoodversionwithmasksandmayhem.Therealpurge. The quiet kind The one where grocery carts get lighter, diabetes medicationsgetskipped,andfamiliesstartmakingcalculationsnoone shouldhavetomake:insulinorrent.Diapersordinner.Heatormeat.
Nowimaginethat$181disappears.Notreduced eliminated.Fora family of four, that's $724 a month. Nearly $9,000 a year. For households already living paycheck to paycheck or check to no check that'snotabudgetcutThat'satrapdoor
"People think SNAP is a safety net," says Marcus Thompson, a communityorganizerwiththeGreaterChicagoFoodDepository."It's not It'sthefloorAndwe'retalkingaboutremovingthefloor"
Thompson knows the numbers because he lives them Before he worked in food security, he received it. Single father, two jobs, still qualified "You know what SNAP bought me?" he asks, leaning forward "Time TimeIdidn'thavetospendchoosingwhichbillnotto pay.TimeIcouldspendwithmykidsinsteadofworkingathirdshiftI couldn'tphysicallyhandle."
"People think SNAP is a safety net," says Marcus Thompson, a communityorganizerwiththeGreaterChicagoFoodDepository."It's not.It'sthefloor.Andwe'retalkingaboutremovingthefloor."
Thompson knows the numbers because he lives them Before he worked in food security, he received it. Single father, two jobs, still qualified "You know what SNAP bought me?" he asks, leaning forward "Time TimeIdidn'thavetospendchoosingwhichbillnotto payTimeIcouldspendwithmykidsinsteadofworkingathirdshiftI couldn'tphysicallyhandle."
TheEmergencyThatNeverEnded
SNAPbenefits were expanded during COVID-19 Emergency allotments increased monthly benefits, bringing some households up to the maximum allowable amount. It was supposedtobetemporary.Abridge.Awaytokeeppeoplefed whiletheworldstoppedspinning.
Buthere'swhatnobodywantstosayoutloud:theemergencynever endedformillionsofAmericans.Thevirusmighthavereceded,but theeconomicwreckageremains.Inflationhasdrivengroceryprices up25%since2020.RentsinChicagohaveclimbed18%inthesame period Wages,formostpeople,haven'tkeptpace
"They're acting like everything's fine," says Jennifer Ramirez, a motherofthreeinPilsen."Butmypaycheckisthesameasitwasin 2019.Myrentisn't.Mygroceriesaren't.Mygasisn't.Sowhatnormal aretheytalkingabout?"
Ramirezworksfull-timeasamedicalassistant.Shemakes$42,000a year justabovethepovertylineforafamilyoffour,butnotenough toabsorba$700monthlyhit."IfSNAPgoesaway,I'mgoingtohave tochoose,"shesays,hervoicetight "DoItakemysontohistherapy appointments,ordoIbuyfood?DoIpaymyelectricbill,ordoIfeed mykids?" Time,asitturnsout,isaluxurypovertydoesn'tafford
Chicago is a city of staggering contrasts. The Gold Coast and Englewoodexistinthesamemunicipalitybutmightaswellbedifferent planets WhenSNAPbenefitsexpire,thosefaultlineswillcrackwide open
In wealthier neighborhoods, the impact will be invisible. In neighborhoods likeAustin, Roseland, and North Lawndale where SNAPusageratesexceed40% theimpactwillbecatastrophic.
Food pantries are already preparing. The Greater Chicago Food Depositoryprojectsa60%increaseindemandifemergencySNAP allotments end That's an additional 200,000 people seeking emergency food assistance in a system already stretched to its breakingpoint
Progressives, meanwhile, argue for making the emergencybenefitspermanent Theyframeitas economicstimulus,publichealthintervention,and moralimperativerolledintoone.
Economic activity will contract by an estimated$12billionannually "We'retalkingaboutapolicydecisionthatwill quiteliterallymakepeoplesickerandpoorer," Colemansays."Andforwhat?
8
COVERSTORY
ButinadividedCongress,neithersidehasthevotes togetwhattheywant Sothedeadlineapproaches, and millions of families watch the calendar with dread
WhattheExpertsFear
Dr. Coleman and other researchers are already modelingworst-casescenarios.Theirprojectionsare grim
IfSNAPends,she'llfeedherkidsfirst.Always. That's non-negotiable Which means she'll eat less Maybe skip meals entirely She's done it before
"You get good at ignoring hunger," she says quietly"YoudrinkwaterYoudrinkcoffeeYou tellyourselfyou'renotthathungryAndthenyou startlosingweightyoudon'thavetolose,and you'retiredallthetime,andyougetsickeasier, andyouknowyou'rerunningyourselfintothe groundButwhatchoicedoyouhave?"
Thisistherealfaceofthecomingpurge.Not violence Not chaos Just millions of people quietly suffering, making impossible choices, andhopingnobodynotices
"I'malreadytryingtofigureoutwhatIcancut," Ramirez says "But there's nothing left to cut We'realreadybarebones SoIguessI'lljust I don't know Pray? Hope? Figure it out somehow?"
That "somehow" is what keeps Marcus Thompsonawake
"Peopleareresilient,"hesays."Butresiliencehas limits Youcanonlystretchpeoplesofarbefore somethingbreaksAndwhenmillionsofpeople breakatthesametime..."Hetrailsoff,shaking his head "I don't think people in power understandwhatthey'reabouttounleash."
TheClockTicks
As of this writing, Congress hasn't made a decision Maybe they'll extend emergency benefits.Maybethey'llletthemexpire.Maybe they'llsplitthedifferencewithsomecompromise nobody'shappywith
"Every day I wake up and check the news," Ramirez says "Has Congress decided? Have theyvoted?What'sgoingtohappentous?And every day it's the same: nothing They're still debating Still discussing Still playing politics withourlives"
She laughs, but there's no humor in it "Mustbenicetodebateabouthungerwhen you'renothungry"
TheQuestionNobody'sAsking
Here's what should terrify everyone, regardless of political affiliation: What happens to a society when millions of peoplesimultaneouslyloseaccesstofood?
Not eventually Not theoretically PracticallyImmediately
Docrimeratesspikewhendesperationsets in? Do health systems collapse when preventableillnessessurge?Dochildrenfall furtherbehindinschoolwhenthey'retoo hungry to learn? Do neighborhoods destabilizewhengrocerystorescloseand fooddesertsexpand?
"They're about to find out what happens whenyoustripmillionsofpeopleoftheir lastresource.Ijusthopeweallsurvivethe lesson."
The deadline is coming. The purge, if it happens,won'tannounceitselfwithsirens It'll be quiet Invisible Just millions of people disappearing into hunger, one missedmealatatime
Hermindwasathinktankofendlessideas,oftenaccompaniedbythesoothingsoundsof music apillarofherlifeSheevendedicatedanentireroominherhometononeother thanPrince.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends mammograms every twoyearsfromages40through74 Beyondthat, thereisnoclearrule thedecisionislefttoa woman and her doctor But in Chicago, where Black women face a 54 percent higher breast cancermortalityratethanwhitewomendespitea4 percentlowerincidence,silencecanbedeadly
National data echo this disparity TheAmerican CancerSocietyreportsthatwhileBlackwomen arediagnosedwithbreastcancerabout5percent lessoftenthanwhitewomen,theyare38percent morelikelytodiefromit.Thenumbersreveala troublingpattern:fewerdiagnoses,moredeaths asignofinequitiesinaccess,follow-upcare,and trustinthehealthcaresystem
OnaThursdayeveningearlierthisOctober, healthofficials,medicalprofessionals,policy experts,andelectedleadersgatheredatthe Garfield Park Conservatory’s Horticulture Hall for Wellness West’s Fourth Annual ForumonHealthcareTransformation.The event, titled “Reimagining Care: A Healthcare Transformation Blueprint,” focused on multidisciplinary collaboration andthesustainabilityofIllinois’healthcare transformationcollaboratives.
The program was introduced by Misty Drake, Executive Director of Wellness West, a not-for-profit partnership of more than 40 healthcare and social service providersservingtenWestSidezipcodes and beyond The organization works to reduce healthcare disparities through collaborationandinnovation.
Wellness West is funded by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives, an initiative that aims to reorientthestate’shealthcaredeliverysystem around people and communities. The program’sfourmainobjectivesare:
2. To improve health and wellness for individualsandcommunities
3Totailorsolutionstotheuniqueneedsof eachperson.
4 To invest in projects that improve outcomes,decreasedisparities,andremain sustainableovertime.
Wellness West is one of several collaboratives working to modernize and humanizehealthcaredeliveryacrossIllinois. Itsgoalistoincreaseconvenientaccessto culturallyresponsivecarewhilesupporting the changing socio-economic needs of individuals and families Similar initiatives include the 55th & Pulaski Health Collaborative, which takes an “all-in” approachtoimproveaccesstocare,andthe South Side Healthy Community Organization, a community-driven partnership dedicated to advancing access andoutcomesforSouthSideresidents
Theevening’spanelfeaturedDr.OmarLateef,PresidentandCEO of Rush University System for Health and Rush University Medical Center; Brenda Palms, President and CEO of North Lawndale Employment Network; Nancy Cao, Director of HealthcareTransformationCollaborativesattheIllinoisDepartment ofHealthcareandFamilyServices;CristalGary,PlanPresidentand CEO of Meridian Health Plan of Illinois; and Heidi OrtolazaAlvear, CEO of IWS Family Health The discussion was moderatedbyDinaBair,anchorandmedicalreporterforWGNTV
Panelists explored how organizations like Wellness West are breaking down silos between hospitals, clinics, and communitybasedorganizationstodelivercoordinated,patient-centeredcare.The conversationdistinguishedbetweenthe“easy”and“hard”aspectsof collaboration from aligning missions and funding streams to maintainingcommunicationacrossmultipleservicenetworks
AsecondsessionfocusedonthesustainabilityofIllinois’healthcare transformationcollaboratives,includingfundingmodelsandpolicy toolssuchasvalue-basedpayment,1115waivers,andMedicaid reform efforts Panelists discussed how incentives can be better alignedamongmanagedcareorganizations(MCOs),providers,and community-basedorganizationstoensurelong-termviability.
In a sidebar conversation, Donald Dew, Wellness West board member and President/CEO of Habilitative Systems, Inc, emphasizedhiscommitmenttoimprovinghealthoutcomes:
Theeveningclosedonanoptimisticnote,withattendeesexpressing enthusiasm about the path forward The forum underscored that transforming healthcare begins with changing the lens through whichprovidersviewpatients notasisolatedcases,butaswhole peopleshapedbytheirenvironments
FOOTNOTES
JasmineCrockett:Short,Sweet,andSharp
TexasCongresswomanJasmineCrockettmadeastopinChicagolastweek quietly,undertheradar asoneofthenotedspeakersinthecity’sAfrican American Speaker Series She spoke truth to power, addressing the issues facingAmerica and those particular to Black people With conviction, she declared,“Ournationisintrouble,andit’stimetowakeup,standup,andspeak up”
RemindingtheaudiencethatsherepresentsTexas,shemadeherconnectionto Chicago personal by sharing that she used to visit her grandmother on the SouthSide,on81stStreet,withherparentsGwenandPastorJosephCrockett “ItellyouthatbecauseIwanty’alltoknowthatIfeellikeI’moneofyours,” shesaid
ShewentontoexplainthatbecauseshelivesinTexas,“theydon’thaveICE ontheirstreets”Then,turningtothecrowd,sheurged,“Nowpayattention, becauseIknowsomeofyou” quotingKendrickLamar “turnedtheTV off.Alotofyoudecidedtodothat,butI’mheretoturnsomethingoninside you”“We’re dealing with a president in theWhite House who thinks he knows Chicago better than the governor, your mayor, or the people who actuallylivehere,”shecontinued.“Idon’tknowify’allhavenoticed,buthe hasanobsessionwithgoingafterthebluestatesandtheirleaders manyof whomareBlack.
“When politicians ignore the laws within the Constitution and the institutions that were put in place to ensure checks and balances America,wehaveaproblem I’mheretotellyouthatwemustturn somethingon,becauseyou’vegottostayawake.”
“Unfortunately,”shecontinued,“sinceJanuary,theDemocratshavelost three members of the House Gerry Connolly, Raúl Grijalva, and SylvesterTurner One has been elected Listen denying an elected Congresspersonfrombeingswornintopreventthevotefromgoing theDemocrats’wayisillegal Butthat’sexactlywhattheRepublicans aredoing”
“Look, most people heard that when it comes to Medicaid and Medicare,15to17millionpeoplewouldbedropped Butwedidn’ttalk aboutthefactthatdeleting$1trillionoutofthehealthcareecosystem meanssomebodyhastopayforthat Letmetellyou it’seasytosee who.Ifthehospitalisgoingtokeepitsdoorsopen,somebody’sgotto payforit Andifthefederalgovernmenthasdecidedtodenythepoor theassistancethatpaidthehospitals ie,thedoctors,thestaff,etc then that creates a major deficit in that field, which benefits the billionaireclassThatiswhyI’msaying,wehaveaproblem”
Dating in this city can feel like finding love in a hopeless place, if the hopeless place is a day party where everyone already knows everyone. You meet someone new at brunch only to realize you’ve been orbiting each other for years — same group chats, same playlists, the same late-night hangouts that blur one weekend into the next.
Whentheworldfeelsthatsmall, conveniencestartstolooklike fate.Thepersonwho’salready around,whoknowsyourfriends, whofitsintoyourrhythm they starttoseeminevitable.But comfortandconnectionaren’tthe samething
Whatisitaboutbutterchicken(ormurghmakhaniin Hindi)thatmakesitbelovedbychildren,adults,and peopleallovertheworld?Ifyou’venevertriedIndian food,makethisyourfirstentréeatanIndianrestaurant. Thishome-cookedversionhasthesamecomplexity of flavor yet it’s simple to make yourself Tender chicken simmers in a tomato sauce flavored with sweet spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala, and is finished with a generous splash of cream.
Let me guide you in making the best butter chicken at home with an authentic Indian recipe This murgh makhani is creamy, flavorful, and better than restaurant versions, perfect with basmati rice or naan. The dish features marinated grilled chicken simmered inasilkytomatocurrygravy.
It's aromatic, mildly spicy, and globally loved. Unlike tikka masala, which has a chunkier texture from onions, butter chicken offers a smooth sauce.You can roast the marinated chicken in a pan, bake it, or grill it, and all ingredients are easily found at yourlocalgrocerystore.
4 Makethesauce:Addthetomatopassata,cream,sugar,and salt.Addanyremainingmarinadefromthebowl.Turntheheat to low and simmer for 20 minutes Taste and adjust salt as needed.
