Recent ZBloggers
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Recent Sustainer Blogs
Why is Corporate America? fanning the flames of violence in Chicago?
By Bob Simpson at May 08, 2013
“At times like this when CPS is making an attempt to close the most schools at one time in the nation, I don’t think you need another Columbine or Connecticut or another suicide because of bullying.” --- Sherise McDaniel, Chicago Public School parent... (More) Comments (0)
Keep Pope alive: One of 54 Chicago schools on the death list
By Bob Simpson at Apr 26, 2013
A cacophony of young voices competed with the low whistle of a cold wind on a gray Chicago spring day as children skipped down the sidewalk in front of Pope Elementary. The school is located across from Douglas Park on Chicago’s West Side in the North Lawndale community. It is also one of the 54 Chicago schools slated for closing. ... (More) Comments (0)
The Lost Woods of Rachel Carson
By Bob Simpson at Apr 19, 2013
Rachel Carson had a life-long love affair with nature that was accompanied by a deep and terrible sense of loss because of the human destruction wreaked upon the biosphere. Although Carson’s literary fame is based on only 5 books, she also wrote numerous short pieces during her employment at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as newspaper stories, magazine articles, speeches and personal letters. ... (More) Comments (0)
The Chicago school closings: Finding truth amidst the lies
By Bob Simpson at Mar 23, 2013
It was a grim Thursday afternoon on March 21st as the news trickled out that 61 Chicago school buildings would be closed and that 54 school programs will be axed. The closings are heavily clustered in the poorest mostly African American and Latino neighborhoods, where decades of disinvestment and economic apartheid have taken a heavy toll on the residents. ... (More) Comments (0)
Chicago’s deadly border crossings: Lives in the balance
By Bob Simpson at Mar 02, 2013
All across the poorest working class areas of the city you can hear the same refrain. To get serious about defusing gang violence, people need good paying jobs and rational economic development to drastically reduce poverty. In areas of the city where poverty is minimal, there are no serious gang problems. ... (More) Comments (0)
My old neighborhood is now multiracial
By Bob Simpson at Feb 21, 2013
If multiracial communities like Wheaton can make racial diversity work, the lessons of that experience would be a great gift to the movement for social justice. ... (More) Comments (0)
The West Side of Chicago says NO! to school closings
By Bob Simpson at Feb 15, 2013
The USA needs an educational system dedicated to liberating young minds, not forcing them to endure corporate dictated soul shriveling curricula and mind numbing endless testing. We could stand aside and allow our educational system to become a chain of corporate owned "big box" schools. But if we do, we will have buildings labeled schools that are killing the human spirit of those inside. ... (More) Comments (0)
Confronting the KKK in rural Maryland: June 1971
By Bob Simpson at Jan 03, 2013
Although now considered a generally blue liberal state, Maryland was not always like that. Just check out the state song with its pro-Confederate, anti-Lincoln lyrics. Located south of the Mason-Dixon Line but north of the Old Confederacy, Maryland has been contested racial terrain since it was founded as one of the 13 original colonies.... (More) Comments (0)
Fight for $15! Because we can’t survive on $8.25
By Bob Simpson at Dec 27, 2012
WOCC is a new union in Chicago, barely a month old, but has already pulled off several successful public actions including banner drops at Macy’s department store, marches and a sit-in at Chicago’s upscale Magnificent Mile (aka MagMile) shopping district. ... (More) Comments (0)
Is the Mob cleaning up at Chicago's O'Hare Airport?
By Bob Simpson at Dec 08, 2012
Mayor Emanuel's latest O'Hare Airport janitorial contract seems to be coming with pinkie rings and tailored silk suits attached. Yes, City Hall is reaching out to the Outfit again, renewing a friendship with the Mob that dates back at least to Mayor Big Bill Thompson of the Prohibition Era.... (More) Comments (0)
My Chicagoland Black Friday in words and pictures
By Bob Simpson at Nov 27, 2012
Walmart stocks up on products manufactured under deadly sweatshop conditions. It organizes Black Friday sales knowing they can touch off riots in their stores. Then Walmart sends security guards and police after peaceful demonstrators who only seek justice in the global workplace. Who said irony is dead?... (More) Comments (0)
Will worker justice take flight at Chicago airports?
By Bob Simpson at Nov 26, 2012
A contract recently negotiated by UNITE-HERE Local 1 and signed by O’Hare concessionaire HMS Host is a godsend for airport workers because of its wage increases and better health insurance. ... (More) Comments (0)
Don Moore 1942-2012: A lion who roared on behalf of public education
By Bob Simpson at Nov 13, 2012
It’s easy to stereotype public policy wonks as data driven, numbers crunching, analytical geeks with horn-rimmed glasses and bad haircuts who provide the research for the real organizers who go out into the real world andmobilize for social change. Chicago’s Don Moore, who died last August, defied that misleading stereotype.... (More) Comments (0)
Educational apartheid in Chicago and the black teachers revolt of the 1960's
By Bob Simpson at Oct 26, 2012
Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) organizer Brandon Johnson, who is a black man, recently spoke about a conversation he had with veteran black educator Dr. Grady Jordan about racism in the schools today. Jordan told him, “Black teachers fought hard. This is a direct retaliation to what we built in the 60's and 70's. They're trying to kill you, son. What are you going to do about it?”.... (More) Comments (0)
Seven days that shook the Windy City: Reflections on a Chicago teachers strike
By Bob Simpson at Oct 02, 2012
"The CTU is teaching the USA a lesson in working class love and solidarity. It’s a transformational moment for the membership of the CTU and its allies. How can they transform the horn honks, the raised fists, the friendly waves and the kind words of encouragement into a political force to be reckoned with?"... (More) Comments (0)


