Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dear Reader, Andrew (Weeks) died on the night of 13/14 June 2024 following two years of ALS. Andy’s death leaves a hole in all of our lives and I cannot begin to convey the sadness I feel writing these words. He was an amazing teacher, mentor, father, husband, comrade, stranger, and friend to so manyContinue reading “The Death of Andrew (Weeks)”

Matt Breunig recently released a thoughtful essay on the importance of standardized tests for college admissions. I thought it would be worthwhile to respond to it because it’s about time that I wrote something about our education system after a year and a half of trying my hardest not to think about it.  I largelyContinue reading “An Invective Case for College Admissions Exams”

By Ethan (Kirk) Is something like this worthy of a foreword? Well, if this is me actually committing to something, and giving something I’ve wanted to do a wholehearted effort, I guess it does. I’ve always enjoyed traveling, and despite having intense social anxiety my entire life, I can always make conversation. It’s never feltContinue reading “A Trip to Normal”

Paris is a city that clings to the past, commemorating it in the squares and streets that bear the names of famous battles (Austerlitz, Marengo, Stalingrad) and in its many well-marked historical sites. But there are sites and events that the city prefers to forget. In Montmartre where I stay, I overheard tourist guides haranguingContinue reading “Discovering a Shameful Past Event in Paris”

In Paris last year, we had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of Serge and Pierrette, activists with deep roots in the France of resistance, opposition, and humane solidarity. Not a few American activists we have known have been unimaginative political creatures, indifferent to the subtle pleasures of life and culture. Very different ourContinue reading “Snapshots of Childhoods in France”

Within three weeks, the short-to-long-term future of our great state, Illinois, will be settled. The Governor’s race is underway and has attracted the casual interest of its residents. Like most of the voting public, I am dim-witted and ill-informed about the race. My mental sketch of J.B. Pritzker and his term as governor: He isContinue reading “Friends, Darren Bailey is Annoying”

Written by Logan (Janicki) “This man is the most cold-blooded murderer ever caught in DeWitt County!” Louis Williams, State’s Attorney for DeWitt County, at the bail hearing for Carl Person, held May 25, 1914. “There is little for me to say. Mine has been a small part in this struggle.” Carl E. Person Tony MusserContinue reading “Say, Don’t You Know Me? I’m Your Native Son: Clinton, Carl E. Person, and the 1911 Shopmen’s Strike (Part 3 of 3)”

Written by Logan (Janicki) There is one thing that stands out like a mountain above a valley, and that is, that the strike suffered and was eventually lost because of the failure of the International offices to carry out the principles of federation. The Lizard’s Trial, by Carl E. Person. Emphasis present in original. AmongContinue reading “Say, Don’t You Know Me? I’m Your Native Son: Clinton, Carl E. Person, and the 1911 Shopmen’s Strike (Part 2 of 3)”

Written by Logan (Janicki) Ever since [the Illinois Central Railroad] was built, it has been known as having the most frienly relations with its employes [sic] of any corporation in existence. The Facts About the Shopmen’s Strike, by W.L. Park, V.P. and general manager of the Illinois Central Railroad Whearas, on September 30, 1911 theContinue reading “Say, Don’t You Know Me? I’m Your Native Son: Clinton, Carl E. Person, and the 1911 Shopmen’s Strike (Part 1 of 3)”

This article was originally published by YDSA’s The Activist on 17 January 2021, the original article can be found here. When I wrote this article, I had not yet let go of my personal mythology of social democratic “rejuvenation ” in America. The Bernie campaign — which was a warren of like ideas — hadContinue reading “National Power Starts at the Local Level”