Culture Night Celebrates Korean Community Campus
The Chicago Maroon
By Pamela Appea
The Korean Undergraduates of the University of Chicago (KUUC) held their 15th annual Culture Night Saturday, May 24, at the International House Assembly Hall. Approximately two-hundred students and community residents attended the event.
“Culture Night is one big night for the community. Community Night [showcases] everything from Loose Roots [a traditional drum troupe] to MOIM [Korean] poetry,” said fourth-year student in the College Brian Kim, president of KUUC.
In the introduction to the Culture Night, Kim explained that KUUC, in working with other organizations for Culture Night, “[has] had problems and controversies this year,” he emphasized that in working together all of these organizations have also had success. “Culture Night brings all the U of C Korean groups together,” concluded Kim.
Other organizations participated in the Korean Culture Night, including MOIM, a journal which translates previously-published Korean poetry; Kilmok, which publishes student-written work with a Korean-American perspective; The Korean International Students Association (KISA), comprised of native Koreans; and Loose Roots.
The Executive Director of Korean American Community Services in Chicago In Chul Choi, A.B. ’92 gave the keynote speech for the event. Choi’s speech, entitled “Korean-American Values” discussed whether young Korean-Americans are obligated to assimilate fully into U.S. culture or maintain a separate Korean identity.
Choi began his speech by pondering the mass emigration of South Koreans in the United Sates in the late 1960s into the early 1980s. According to Choi, now that immigration has subsided somewhat in the late nineties, it is “the phase for enrichment and empowerment for Korean-Americans.”
Choi explored many issues, including mainstreaming or assimilation, class issues and identity during his approximately half-hour speech.
“We are in America, but not of America,” said Choi; he explained how as minorities, in the race-conscious society of the United States, Korean-American second-and third-generation youth are still feeling the same sense of otherness as that experienced by their immigrant ancestors. Choi urged Korean-Americans not to internalize negative images or stereotypes of Koreans that may persist in U.S. culture. At the same time, Choi urged Korean-Americans to maintain strong links to the positive aspects of this society.
Choi then challenged Koreans and Korean-Americans to examine their own behavior and ideals.
“Are we practicing stereotypes? [In the U.S.] are we treating African-Americans and Hispanics fairly in the stores [that we own?] In the factories [in Korea]are we treating Filipinos and other immigrants fairly? In every day life, how do we interact with people [in general?] asked Choi.
Choi concluded that it is possible for Korean-Americans to live successful productive lives here in the U.S.
“What I got out of the speech was : Don’t assimilate too much, but, [at the same time,] you must learn how to adapt to U.S. culture,” said a third-year student in the College, Phyllis Son, a member of MOIM and KUUC.
The Culture Show included many diverse artistic acts, incorporating both traditional Korean culture and modern Korean-American culture.
Towards the beginning of the program, students performed a fan dance. The costumes displayed in the fan dance were colorful and handmade; the dresses were made of flowing material, the vests were multicolored, and the headpieces were elaborate and ornate.
“The [performed] fan dance originated from the 15th –century during King Sejoung’s dynasty,” explained Son. Such dances, according to Son, attracted royalty and courtesans who traveled all the way to China to view the elegant dance style.
Son explained that Sejoung’s reign was not only a period of cultural enlightenment but also the establishment of a written Korean language.
A little later on in the program, six students performed a modern hip-hop dance. One performer explained how his group’s performance fused the experience and music of different cultures.
“Our performance was just to show people how hip hop [music and dance] is [also] part of a Korean-American music. We put a lot of effort and work into it,” said John Oh, a member of the six-person U of C “Deux + Woda—X” and a first-year student in the College.
At the conclusion of the event, Loose Roots performed two different numbers. Dressed in traditional white costume with a combination of red, blue, or yellow vests, the performers played drum music of South Asia and South-East Asia. The music of Loose Roots aims to produce awareness of Korean culture, according to group members.
Other acts during Korean Culture Night included Korean poetry reading, a fashion show, a Tae-Kwon Do demonstration, a Modern Dance numbers, and “Voices of Korea,” a musical presentation by Hoon-Sang Lee.
Many attendees enjoyed the variety of acts of Culture night, according to many members of the organizations involved with Korean Culture Night., however some personal politics were involved in the planning of Culture Night.
“There should be more of a community among the Korean [RSOs],” said fourth-year student in the College Steve Ko, a KUUC member. He explained that the lack of community made it somewhat difficult to work together for Culture Night.
“[Obviously,] with every community, there are different opinions, said Ed Kim, KUUC treasurer and a fourth-year student in the College. However, Kim explained that there is a problematic lack of unity among the Korean RSOs, but he concluded that in the years to come each organization should strive to work together in a more effective manner and put personal politics aside.
The cultural show cost between $3,500 -$4,000, according to Kim. KUUC received financial support from the East Asian Languages and Civilization department at the U of C, Student Government, and from KUUC ticket sales. The organization also did some fundraising for the event. The post-Culture Night party cost an additional $400.
A caterer from Koreatown provided the buffet-style dinner before the event. Gam poong gi (spicy chicken), kim chee (pickled radish), bul gol gi (a beef dish), and na mul (bean sprouts) were among the meat and vegetarian dishes.
After the show, KUUC hosted a dance party held at Ida Noyes.
Originally published May 30, 1997
Friday, May 30, 1997
Tuesday, May 20, 1997
Co-op plans 47th Street Branch
Co-op plans 47th Street Branch
The Chicago Maroon
By Pamela Appea
The Hyde Park Co-op Supermarket chain is planning to open a new store within a shopping complex located at 47th Street and Lake Park Avenue. The store is slated to open in June of 1998.
The Fund for Community Development and Revitalization (FFCDR), a coalition of several South Side-based community organizations, are supporting and sponsoring the endeavor. The University of Chicago, a member of the FFCDR, will be investing money in the multi-million dollar project. The City of Chicago cleared the space a few months ago in preparation for the project.
The Hyde Park supermarket co-operative currently has two locations in Hyde Park, one on 55th Street and one on 53rd Street. Mr. G’s Supermarket on 53rd Street, which was previously owned by Bill Gerstein was sold to Hyde Park Co-op. Continuing its expansion, the Co-op plans to buy the property at 47th Street in the near future and begin construction soon after.
The Co-op will be the main tenant of the new shopping complex for which the city of Chicago paid for the demolition and the purchase of the designated area. A general estimate of the total cost of the project is not yet apparent, according to Dick Fisk, general manager of the Co-op.
According to Josh Deth, the 47th Street Co-op will include everything the 55th street Co-op has: “a comprehensive produce section, a self-service meat section and a fresh seafood section. The Co-op management will also include wine/liquor and video stores. The supermarket also aims to provide a bulk foods section and a Starbucks-type coffee shop.
“I think it’s a good idea. I would support the 47th Street Co-op,” said Doris Crocket, a community resident, who lives closer to the 47th Street area than to the 57th Street Co-op, where she currently shops.
According to Bill Gerstein, director of community relations at the Hyde Park Co-op, other possible tenants in the 47th Street shopping complex include Citibank, Doc Fish Restaurant, and South Shore Decorating Company. Other business chains like Walgreens and Pep Boys, an auto store, “have expressed an interest in “leasing out retained space at the 47th Street complex.”
History
The 47th Street shopping mall project has been in planning sine the early 1990s. The push for revitalization in the South Side and other Chicago neighborhoods, however, has been around for the past 30 years.
The South Side and other communities in the late 1960s and early 1970s experienced “white flight” during which many businesses and community residents began to leave these neighborhoods and move to the suburbs. Consequently land value depreciated and, by the late 1970s, many areas in certain Chicago neighborhoods experienced economics depression.
“When I was elected in 1991, it was a priority [of mine] to [commercially]develop the Kenwood/Woodlawn area,” said Toni Preckwinkle, Fourth Ward Alderperson. “I am pleased that this commercial development is taking place.” Preckwinkle went on to add that the project is hardly “small change,” as it is a multi-million dollar endeavor.
There were, and continue to be, complaints from community residents and Co-op members that the Hyde Park Co-op is attempting to monopolize the local South Side area supermarket business. Some people have opined that there was not enough collective decision making in the process.
However, according to Gerstein, other Chicago supermarket chains did not show interest in the 47th Street project. He felt that the Co-op was right to jump at the chance when it presented itself.
Many Co-op store members have expressed some concerns, some with extremely negative reactions to the expansion. “It’s a big capital outlay. I don’t want the health of the parent store [to suffer],” said Carol Browning, a Hyde Park resident. “[So, while] I am concerned about [the 47th Street project], my general feeling is positive.” Browning added that, as a member, she would like to be kept informed about the 47th Street logistics in the months to come.
“Every past Co-op expansion beyond our basic store was a disaster; we lost big money on our Harper Court furniture operation. We lost money on the Short-Stop Co-op on 53rd Street,” said Hal Weinstein, a Co-op member and an electoral candidate in his statement printed in The Evergreen, the co-op’s newspaper.
Both the Co-op Furniture store and the Short-Stop Co-op were businesses that were founded in the 1970s and closed in the early 1980s.
“The former Mr. G’s [Co-op] we acquired is running 20 percent below the Co-op productions, and we’ve lose $65,000 in just seven months—$22,000 in the last reported month [April] alone,” Weinstein said.
Some hope that the new 47th Street will create a lot of jobs or allow current Co-op employees to work closer to their homes. “[The 47th Street area] is supposed to be a an up and coming neighborhood. It will produce jobs. I know a lot of people here who currently are employed here at [55th Street Co-op] who will like to transfer their location,” said a Co-op employee who spoke anonymously.
Others believe that the new Co-op memberships and other sources of funding will allow the project to be a success in the years to come.
“Opportunity exists in the revitalized north Kenwood area both for serve to the community and for growth in sales,” said George Cooley, a former treasurer for the Co-op board committee and a electoral candidate in current elections.
Originally published Tuesday, May 20, 1997
The Chicago Maroon
By Pamela Appea
The Hyde Park Co-op Supermarket chain is planning to open a new store within a shopping complex located at 47th Street and Lake Park Avenue. The store is slated to open in June of 1998.
The Fund for Community Development and Revitalization (FFCDR), a coalition of several South Side-based community organizations, are supporting and sponsoring the endeavor. The University of Chicago, a member of the FFCDR, will be investing money in the multi-million dollar project. The City of Chicago cleared the space a few months ago in preparation for the project.
The Hyde Park supermarket co-operative currently has two locations in Hyde Park, one on 55th Street and one on 53rd Street. Mr. G’s Supermarket on 53rd Street, which was previously owned by Bill Gerstein was sold to Hyde Park Co-op. Continuing its expansion, the Co-op plans to buy the property at 47th Street in the near future and begin construction soon after.
The Co-op will be the main tenant of the new shopping complex for which the city of Chicago paid for the demolition and the purchase of the designated area. A general estimate of the total cost of the project is not yet apparent, according to Dick Fisk, general manager of the Co-op.
According to Josh Deth, the 47th Street Co-op will include everything the 55th street Co-op has: “a comprehensive produce section, a self-service meat section and a fresh seafood section. The Co-op management will also include wine/liquor and video stores. The supermarket also aims to provide a bulk foods section and a Starbucks-type coffee shop.
“I think it’s a good idea. I would support the 47th Street Co-op,” said Doris Crocket, a community resident, who lives closer to the 47th Street area than to the 57th Street Co-op, where she currently shops.
According to Bill Gerstein, director of community relations at the Hyde Park Co-op, other possible tenants in the 47th Street shopping complex include Citibank, Doc Fish Restaurant, and South Shore Decorating Company. Other business chains like Walgreens and Pep Boys, an auto store, “have expressed an interest in “leasing out retained space at the 47th Street complex.”
History
The 47th Street shopping mall project has been in planning sine the early 1990s. The push for revitalization in the South Side and other Chicago neighborhoods, however, has been around for the past 30 years.
The South Side and other communities in the late 1960s and early 1970s experienced “white flight” during which many businesses and community residents began to leave these neighborhoods and move to the suburbs. Consequently land value depreciated and, by the late 1970s, many areas in certain Chicago neighborhoods experienced economics depression.
“When I was elected in 1991, it was a priority [of mine] to [commercially]develop the Kenwood/Woodlawn area,” said Toni Preckwinkle, Fourth Ward Alderperson. “I am pleased that this commercial development is taking place.” Preckwinkle went on to add that the project is hardly “small change,” as it is a multi-million dollar endeavor.
There were, and continue to be, complaints from community residents and Co-op members that the Hyde Park Co-op is attempting to monopolize the local South Side area supermarket business. Some people have opined that there was not enough collective decision making in the process.
However, according to Gerstein, other Chicago supermarket chains did not show interest in the 47th Street project. He felt that the Co-op was right to jump at the chance when it presented itself.
Many Co-op store members have expressed some concerns, some with extremely negative reactions to the expansion. “It’s a big capital outlay. I don’t want the health of the parent store [to suffer],” said Carol Browning, a Hyde Park resident. “[So, while] I am concerned about [the 47th Street project], my general feeling is positive.” Browning added that, as a member, she would like to be kept informed about the 47th Street logistics in the months to come.
“Every past Co-op expansion beyond our basic store was a disaster; we lost big money on our Harper Court furniture operation. We lost money on the Short-Stop Co-op on 53rd Street,” said Hal Weinstein, a Co-op member and an electoral candidate in his statement printed in The Evergreen, the co-op’s newspaper.
Both the Co-op Furniture store and the Short-Stop Co-op were businesses that were founded in the 1970s and closed in the early 1980s.
“The former Mr. G’s [Co-op] we acquired is running 20 percent below the Co-op productions, and we’ve lose $65,000 in just seven months—$22,000 in the last reported month [April] alone,” Weinstein said.
Some hope that the new 47th Street will create a lot of jobs or allow current Co-op employees to work closer to their homes. “[The 47th Street area] is supposed to be a an up and coming neighborhood. It will produce jobs. I know a lot of people here who currently are employed here at [55th Street Co-op] who will like to transfer their location,” said a Co-op employee who spoke anonymously.
Others believe that the new Co-op memberships and other sources of funding will allow the project to be a success in the years to come.
“Opportunity exists in the revitalized north Kenwood area both for serve to the community and for growth in sales,” said George Cooley, a former treasurer for the Co-op board committee and a electoral candidate in current elections.
Originally published Tuesday, May 20, 1997
Nobel economist addresses University crowd
Nobel economist addresses University crowd
By Pamela Appea
The Chicago Maroon
Douglass North, 1993 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, and Luce Professor of Law and Liberty at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, gave a lecture entitled “Order, Disorder and Economic Change” last Monday evening, May 12 to a full crowd at the University of Chicago Social Sciences building.
The event, which was free and open to the public, was sponsored by Phi Beta Jappa, the Social Sciences Collegiate Division, the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, and Oeconomica, an undergraduate student economics organization.
A specialized U of C workshop was help Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy entitled “Economic Change in Latin America: Past, Present, and Future.”
North’s research attempts to take neoclassical economic theory in a new direction by incorporating institutions as well as addressing social and cultural issues within these institutions. Neo-classical economic theory is typically classified around study of the individual, said Lekshmi Venugopalan, an Economics Major, and fourth-year student in the College.
North’s two main regions of specialization in economic infrastructure are Eastern Europe and Latin America.
His most recent book, entitled Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance, explored some of the issues which he brought up during his Monday lecture. North said he aimed to find answers to the age-old question of why some countries are wealthier than others. He is currently working o a new book which will focus on “answering the questions.”
“More than half of the world is still poor. How come?” asked North.
During the lecture, North who is currently doing intensive research on wealth distribution, explored possible causes and solutions for this unequal distribution of wealth, by combining socio-economic theory with a philosophical and historical approach. Ultimately, it is impossible to definitively answer this questions, however North stated that he was optimistic that viable solutions will be found for economic progress.
North started with a “quick overview of the past ten millennia.” He emphasized that history plays an important part in how economists and social scientists can study economics and economic theory.
Centuries ago, many societies located in Europe or the Middle East, for example, started out with small-time trading communities. North explained that after time, traders and other merchants within the trading circles of their society knew that there would be a certain amount of stability and constancy in their small economic worlds.
“These people knew the players in the game; they knew that there were only a few [trustworthy] people who were playing in the game, and they knew what the rules of the game were,” said North.
In many societies, the economic “game” changed over tie because “belief systems” changed. Growth and expansion in markets along with international and overseas trading complicated the “trading game,” said North.
However the growth of prosperity as a result of this trade expansion did not happen uniformly in all societies. Some countries inexplicably continue to survive using the marketplace which North called an “inefficient enterprise.” Or they rely on other forms of informal economy endeavors.
Later in his lecture, North addressed the current times. Nowadays, while some countries trade on an international level, others do not have the means and the economic structure to do so. This means that some countries are developed and experience economic prosperity and overall economic stability, while others have a start and stop: economic growth which is detrimental to the country in the long run. Still other countries have no growth at all, said North.
North’s work aims to build a long-term plan for developing countries like several in Latin America, which should ensure a stable economy in the future. He speculated that some economists would say people in developing countries should know and strive towards what is in their best interests.
“It’s not that simplistic,” he said. “If the human landscape would stay constant, we would eventually get it right. Eventually the belief system would coincide with the landscape.”
North went on to explain that economic theory is much different than practice. Also in attempt to reinvent the same scenario or duplicate the success from the U.S. is virtually impossible. By way of example, North mentioned that, in this century, many post-colonial Latin American countries adopted a constitution that was similar to the U.S. Constitution. However, North stated that because of socio-political stability, such as military coups, those countries’ economic states deteriorated.
North stated that in every country, to determine each country’s economic stability, one must consider the structure of its government. Firstly, there is the formal law, secondly there is common or informal law, and thirdly there is “rate of enforceability of these laws,” North emphasized that no matter how many laws are in place, these laws cannot be effective if they are not enforced.
While in most countries, citizens do pay attention to formal law, they do not follow it strictly. What matters the most is the informal law, because most people act in accordance with societal norms and standards.
North believes that it is impossible to have an economically stable country without a stable political structure. If citizens of a country do not adhere to laws or if a government is weak and falls apart easily, a new and more solid government should be implemented, which in the long run may allow for a solid, economic infrastructure.
Thus, North concluded that economists and social scientists need to carefully examine the institutions such as political structures, the relationship between church and state and the cultural norms of a country. He ended the lecture by reiterating that many questions have yet to be answered; however, he feels by taking these factors into consideration we are on the right track.
Lecture attendees had a post-lecture coffee hour with North, where some attendees expressed their enjoyment of North’s lecture.
One attendee commented that he felt that ultimately, it would be impossible to have a uniform economy across the world in every country. Another listener elaborated on the point, claiming most Latin American countries or sub-Saharan nations will never catch up with the U.S.
“If you compare some of the countries to ants, and compare the U.S. to human beings, you can understand. While ants may have a complex, organized system, it becomes clear that our system is just on a whole different scale. You can’t even begin to compare,” said Mich Turner, a community resident who attended the lecture.
“Because it is a new subject matter, there are a lot of uncertainties. I am interested to see how [North] backs up his beliefs in his [upcoming] book, said Venugopalan.
Originally Published May 20, 1997
By Pamela Appea
The Chicago Maroon
Douglass North, 1993 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, and Luce Professor of Law and Liberty at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, gave a lecture entitled “Order, Disorder and Economic Change” last Monday evening, May 12 to a full crowd at the University of Chicago Social Sciences building.
The event, which was free and open to the public, was sponsored by Phi Beta Jappa, the Social Sciences Collegiate Division, the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, and Oeconomica, an undergraduate student economics organization.
A specialized U of C workshop was help Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy entitled “Economic Change in Latin America: Past, Present, and Future.”
North’s research attempts to take neoclassical economic theory in a new direction by incorporating institutions as well as addressing social and cultural issues within these institutions. Neo-classical economic theory is typically classified around study of the individual, said Lekshmi Venugopalan, an Economics Major, and fourth-year student in the College.
North’s two main regions of specialization in economic infrastructure are Eastern Europe and Latin America.
His most recent book, entitled Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance, explored some of the issues which he brought up during his Monday lecture. North said he aimed to find answers to the age-old question of why some countries are wealthier than others. He is currently working o a new book which will focus on “answering the questions.”
“More than half of the world is still poor. How come?” asked North.
During the lecture, North who is currently doing intensive research on wealth distribution, explored possible causes and solutions for this unequal distribution of wealth, by combining socio-economic theory with a philosophical and historical approach. Ultimately, it is impossible to definitively answer this questions, however North stated that he was optimistic that viable solutions will be found for economic progress.
North started with a “quick overview of the past ten millennia.” He emphasized that history plays an important part in how economists and social scientists can study economics and economic theory.
Centuries ago, many societies located in Europe or the Middle East, for example, started out with small-time trading communities. North explained that after time, traders and other merchants within the trading circles of their society knew that there would be a certain amount of stability and constancy in their small economic worlds.
“These people knew the players in the game; they knew that there were only a few [trustworthy] people who were playing in the game, and they knew what the rules of the game were,” said North.
In many societies, the economic “game” changed over tie because “belief systems” changed. Growth and expansion in markets along with international and overseas trading complicated the “trading game,” said North.
However the growth of prosperity as a result of this trade expansion did not happen uniformly in all societies. Some countries inexplicably continue to survive using the marketplace which North called an “inefficient enterprise.” Or they rely on other forms of informal economy endeavors.
Later in his lecture, North addressed the current times. Nowadays, while some countries trade on an international level, others do not have the means and the economic structure to do so. This means that some countries are developed and experience economic prosperity and overall economic stability, while others have a start and stop: economic growth which is detrimental to the country in the long run. Still other countries have no growth at all, said North.
North’s work aims to build a long-term plan for developing countries like several in Latin America, which should ensure a stable economy in the future. He speculated that some economists would say people in developing countries should know and strive towards what is in their best interests.
“It’s not that simplistic,” he said. “If the human landscape would stay constant, we would eventually get it right. Eventually the belief system would coincide with the landscape.”
North went on to explain that economic theory is much different than practice. Also in attempt to reinvent the same scenario or duplicate the success from the U.S. is virtually impossible. By way of example, North mentioned that, in this century, many post-colonial Latin American countries adopted a constitution that was similar to the U.S. Constitution. However, North stated that because of socio-political stability, such as military coups, those countries’ economic states deteriorated.
North stated that in every country, to determine each country’s economic stability, one must consider the structure of its government. Firstly, there is the formal law, secondly there is common or informal law, and thirdly there is “rate of enforceability of these laws,” North emphasized that no matter how many laws are in place, these laws cannot be effective if they are not enforced.
While in most countries, citizens do pay attention to formal law, they do not follow it strictly. What matters the most is the informal law, because most people act in accordance with societal norms and standards.
North believes that it is impossible to have an economically stable country without a stable political structure. If citizens of a country do not adhere to laws or if a government is weak and falls apart easily, a new and more solid government should be implemented, which in the long run may allow for a solid, economic infrastructure.
Thus, North concluded that economists and social scientists need to carefully examine the institutions such as political structures, the relationship between church and state and the cultural norms of a country. He ended the lecture by reiterating that many questions have yet to be answered; however, he feels by taking these factors into consideration we are on the right track.
Lecture attendees had a post-lecture coffee hour with North, where some attendees expressed their enjoyment of North’s lecture.
One attendee commented that he felt that ultimately, it would be impossible to have a uniform economy across the world in every country. Another listener elaborated on the point, claiming most Latin American countries or sub-Saharan nations will never catch up with the U.S.
“If you compare some of the countries to ants, and compare the U.S. to human beings, you can understand. While ants may have a complex, organized system, it becomes clear that our system is just on a whole different scale. You can’t even begin to compare,” said Mich Turner, a community resident who attended the lecture.
“Because it is a new subject matter, there are a lot of uncertainties. I am interested to see how [North] backs up his beliefs in his [upcoming] book, said Venugopalan.
Originally Published May 20, 1997
Friday, May 16, 1997
Campus Events Heighten AIDS Awareness
Campus Events Heighten AIDS Awareness
Chicago Maroon
By Pamela Appea
Student Activities Correspondent
HIV and AIDS Awareness week is taking place May 11-May 17 at the University of Chicago. Various campus lectures, student plays and movies are all being presented in order to educate the University community about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a serious and terminal illness.
The week is sponsored by HIV/AIDS Awareness Program (HAAP), a two-year-old U of C community service group.
On Sunday, May 11, a group of students went to St. Catherine’s Hospice, for a day-long volunteer project. This hospice provides free housing to people with HIV and AIDS as well as people with drug and alcohol abuse problems. St. Catherine’s, located at 65th Street and Ellis Avenue, is the only South Side-based housing area for people with HIV/AIDS.
“We provide housing, food, emotional support, and a community,” explained Maren van Drimmelen, a German Peace Organization volunteer who has worked as a counselor at St. Catherine’s Hospice for over a year.
Many of St. Catherine’s residents are African-American males aged 23-30 who usually live there on a temporary basis. Although St. Catherine’s accepts as many residents as it possibly can, it is often difficult to get full-time staff to volunteer since no benefits or insurance are offered. The hospice, which is affiliated with a Catholic parish, receives funds, food, furniture, and other amenities from private donations and contributions from local parishioners.
The film, “Mary Lou: A Reflection,” was shown at the U of C Biological Sciences Learning Center, Monday, May 12. The movie chronicles the life of a young woman who attended Northwestern University and later received her M.A. in library science.
According to Wendy Lichtenthal, founder of HAAP and a third-year student in the College, the women featured in the film was an “ordinary,” suburbanite who contracted the disease in her first sexual relationship in college.
The disease quickly progressed and Mary Lou lived for a short while with a zero-level T-Cell count, which, for a person afflicted with AIDS, essentially means that he has no resistance to fight any illnesses to which the body might be exposed. Mary Lou died in 1994 at age 29.
Other movies and documentaries that deal with HIV and AIDS were shown throughout the week.
Tuesday, May 13, a panel discussion was held at Max Pavelsky Theatre in Ida Noyes Hall. The noted speakers were Michael Heflin, deputy director of Amnesty International USA; Michelle Mascaro of the AIDS Foundation, Chicago; and Heather Sawyer, AIDS Project State Attorney for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. The speakers, who came to speak gratis, discussed the legal and social issues that effect AIDS victims.
“In Chicago, 6,500 people have full-blown AIDS. For all of Illinois, there are about 40,000 people who are living with HIV,” said Mascaro. She went on to add that it is difficult to approximate percentages regarding people living with the virus. Therefore, these statistics, Mascaro said, are a “conservative estimate.”
People in the 18-24 age group, regardless of sexual preference, are contracting the disease at the highest rate of all age groups. This is particularly apparent in the black community.
According to Mascaro, there are more than one million people in the United States who have HIV/AIDS.
The speakers discussed the amount of discrimination that still exists towards HIV/AIDS-infected individuals, especially in the employment field, insurance policies, the penal system, and the immigration system which bars HIV-positive people from [e]mmigrating to the U.S.
Heflin provided an international perspective to the discussion. Many individuals in foreign countries are arrested, jailed, tortured, and even killed if they are suspected to be HIV-positive or providing their local communities with HIV education and prevention. Amnesty International legally lobbies to represent people who are persecuted in this way.
The HIV virus is mainly transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex. Other means of transmission include sharing needles with infected people or passing of the virus from mother to child during the nine-month gestation process. All blood to be used in blood transfusions in U.S. hospitals is tested for HIV to protect against the contraction of the disease.
HAAP will provide free anonymous HIV testing at a designated U of C testing site, which will be on a date to be advertised around the University area. The testing will be available to anyone in the community. The free HIV testing includes short, informational counseling sessions, both of which will be delivered by qualified AIDS Project-trained employees.
Other events include a Thursday study break with condom demonstrations and a Saturday Dance-a-thon Fundraiser for AIDSSCARE. HAAP also currently has informational tables on the main Quadrangle and in the Reynolds Club with HIV/AIDS literature.
HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, co-sponsored by Student Government, had less than $300 dollars to sponsor all the activities for the event. In years to come, Lichtenthal hopes to expand the number of people who can receive free, anonymous testing and provide the University with interesting, “informative” speakers.
For more information on HIV/AIDS Awareness week or HIV/AIDS, visit the HAAP webpage: http://student.wwwuchicago.edu/orgs/haap or contact Wendy Lichtenthal at wlichten@midway.uchicago.edu.
Originally published May 16, 1997
Chicago Maroon
By Pamela Appea
Student Activities Correspondent
HIV and AIDS Awareness week is taking place May 11-May 17 at the University of Chicago. Various campus lectures, student plays and movies are all being presented in order to educate the University community about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a serious and terminal illness.
The week is sponsored by HIV/AIDS Awareness Program (HAAP), a two-year-old U of C community service group.
On Sunday, May 11, a group of students went to St. Catherine’s Hospice, for a day-long volunteer project. This hospice provides free housing to people with HIV and AIDS as well as people with drug and alcohol abuse problems. St. Catherine’s, located at 65th Street and Ellis Avenue, is the only South Side-based housing area for people with HIV/AIDS.
“We provide housing, food, emotional support, and a community,” explained Maren van Drimmelen, a German Peace Organization volunteer who has worked as a counselor at St. Catherine’s Hospice for over a year.
Many of St. Catherine’s residents are African-American males aged 23-30 who usually live there on a temporary basis. Although St. Catherine’s accepts as many residents as it possibly can, it is often difficult to get full-time staff to volunteer since no benefits or insurance are offered. The hospice, which is affiliated with a Catholic parish, receives funds, food, furniture, and other amenities from private donations and contributions from local parishioners.
The film, “Mary Lou: A Reflection,” was shown at the U of C Biological Sciences Learning Center, Monday, May 12. The movie chronicles the life of a young woman who attended Northwestern University and later received her M.A. in library science.
According to Wendy Lichtenthal, founder of HAAP and a third-year student in the College, the women featured in the film was an “ordinary,” suburbanite who contracted the disease in her first sexual relationship in college.
The disease quickly progressed and Mary Lou lived for a short while with a zero-level T-Cell count, which, for a person afflicted with AIDS, essentially means that he has no resistance to fight any illnesses to which the body might be exposed. Mary Lou died in 1994 at age 29.
Other movies and documentaries that deal with HIV and AIDS were shown throughout the week.
Tuesday, May 13, a panel discussion was held at Max Pavelsky Theatre in Ida Noyes Hall. The noted speakers were Michael Heflin, deputy director of Amnesty International USA; Michelle Mascaro of the AIDS Foundation, Chicago; and Heather Sawyer, AIDS Project State Attorney for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. The speakers, who came to speak gratis, discussed the legal and social issues that effect AIDS victims.
“In Chicago, 6,500 people have full-blown AIDS. For all of Illinois, there are about 40,000 people who are living with HIV,” said Mascaro. She went on to add that it is difficult to approximate percentages regarding people living with the virus. Therefore, these statistics, Mascaro said, are a “conservative estimate.”
People in the 18-24 age group, regardless of sexual preference, are contracting the disease at the highest rate of all age groups. This is particularly apparent in the black community.
According to Mascaro, there are more than one million people in the United States who have HIV/AIDS.
The speakers discussed the amount of discrimination that still exists towards HIV/AIDS-infected individuals, especially in the employment field, insurance policies, the penal system, and the immigration system which bars HIV-positive people from [e]mmigrating to the U.S.
Heflin provided an international perspective to the discussion. Many individuals in foreign countries are arrested, jailed, tortured, and even killed if they are suspected to be HIV-positive or providing their local communities with HIV education and prevention. Amnesty International legally lobbies to represent people who are persecuted in this way.
The HIV virus is mainly transmitted through unprotected vaginal, oral and anal sex. Other means of transmission include sharing needles with infected people or passing of the virus from mother to child during the nine-month gestation process. All blood to be used in blood transfusions in U.S. hospitals is tested for HIV to protect against the contraction of the disease.
HAAP will provide free anonymous HIV testing at a designated U of C testing site, which will be on a date to be advertised around the University area. The testing will be available to anyone in the community. The free HIV testing includes short, informational counseling sessions, both of which will be delivered by qualified AIDS Project-trained employees.
Other events include a Thursday study break with condom demonstrations and a Saturday Dance-a-thon Fundraiser for AIDSSCARE. HAAP also currently has informational tables on the main Quadrangle and in the Reynolds Club with HIV/AIDS literature.
HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, co-sponsored by Student Government, had less than $300 dollars to sponsor all the activities for the event. In years to come, Lichtenthal hopes to expand the number of people who can receive free, anonymous testing and provide the University with interesting, “informative” speakers.
For more information on HIV/AIDS Awareness week or HIV/AIDS, visit the HAAP webpage: http://student.wwwuchicago.edu/orgs/haap or contact Wendy Lichtenthal at wlichten@midway.uchicago.edu.
Originally published May 16, 1997
Tuesday, May 13, 1997
Third HACER Show a Success, Chicago Maroon
Third HACER Show a Success
By Pamela Appea
The Chicago Maroon
Mexican nationalist poetry, flamenco dancing and the folkloric traditions of Bolivia, among other acts, were artfully presented to over 300 students and community residents who attended the Hispanic Association for Cultural Expression and Recognition’s (HACER) third annual cultural show this past Saturday, May 10, at Ida Noyes Hall.
“Overall, I believe that the show was a tremendous success. All the major regions of Latin America were represented with song and dance,” said Nubia Chaidez, HACER director of student affairs, and a second-year student at the College.
Nobleza Azteca, a Mexican folkloric dance team, started out the show. Nobleza, a twenty-person group consisting of Chicago Public City school children performed seven different dance numbers while dressed in traditional billowing white and vivid multi-colored Mexican dresses. The dancers performed a complex candle dance, a sun dance, and a mambo dance among other numbers.
Next, a nine-person group played the marimba, a traditional Guatemalan percussion instrument played with wooden mallets which is similar to the xylophone.
“Our music is an expression of our faith. The marimba of Guatemala is a manifestation that remains in the history of our people and in the rhythmic and melodic expressions,” said a spokesperson for the group.
In keeping with this nationalistic tradition, painted and carved on the marimba were creative, colorful representations of indigenous gods, and as well as the quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. According to one of the instrumentalists, the Guatemalan marimba is made from a special kind of wood which can only be found in certain regions of Central America.
Energetic folkloric Bolivian dances were interspersed between acts.
“Some dances have an “Afro-Bolivian feel to them,” said Carolina Saavedra, a dancer in the Bolivian troupe.
She explained that the sound of the bells on the dancers’ ankles during the dance symbolized the noise of the shackles on slaves ankles. “The dance, ultimately, is about freedom, strength and power,” said Saavedra.
“It’s a liberating dance,” said Monica Angeleno, another long-time member of the troupe. She added that the costumes’ colors or designs usually have a certain symbolic meaning or value, depending on what dance is performed. Many of these handmade costumes take months to complete.
Several attendees enjoyed the Bolivian dance troupe. “[Watching] the Bolivian folkloric dance was a good learning experience. This [means of cultural expression] is new to me. I could imagine taking [dance] class to try out some of it,” said Earick Rayburn, a first-year student in the College.
The HACER cultural show also featured a Spanish flamenco performance, which included guitar, vocals and dance and Kuumba Lynx, which featured poetry, dance and rap. Tango Bar featured tango dancing and several students performed Caribbean Mosaique dance numbers. Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian art form which combines music, martial arts and dance, was presented as well.
The majority of audience members liked the diversity of acts within the show and plan to attend next year. Gaston Angulo enjoyed the show immensely. It was the long-time Chicago resident’s first trip to both the U of C and the HACER cultural show.
“If we didn’t have shows such as these, we would miss our customs, songs, folklore and Latin/African roots,” Angulo said.
“If I didn’t [talk about our heritage] to my children, [these] traditions wouldn’t be passed on,” he said.
However many cultural attendees felt there could have been some improvements. A few U of C students complained that the nearly four-hour show was “too long,” and one or two acts in the middle of the show should have been eliminated or shortened.
William Espinoza, a community resident, wondered why there were so few Caucasians in the audience. Espinoza was curious if it was because Caucasians are “apathetic” and do not enjoy Latino cultural shows or HACER members and other Latinos do not publicize these events enough outside the Latino community.
“We should try to involve [and consequently] enrich the Anglo community in events such as these,” he said.
“It was very nice show,” said Domingo Andreuzzi, a Chicago resident, whose wife danced with the Bolivian dance troupe.
He mentioned that some technical improvements could be made such as using a wider stage for the dancers and more efficient lighting, which was shining in the audiences faces.
Robyn McCoy, A.B. ’96, from Michigan enjoyed the show. “I’m glad I came,” she said. “Cultural shows like these are really a treasure.”
A pre-show catered dinner was served buffet style on the first and third floors of Ida Noyes Hall. There was a great variety of meat and vegetarian dishes. Tania’s, Piccolo Mondo Café, Gonnella Baking Company, and Empanadas Unlimited catered the event.
Tickets cost eight dollars for U of C students and ten dollars for other attendees. A small discount was offered to those who purchased show tickets in advance.
A few Caribbean dance party, sponsored by HACER, was held after the show at the Reynolds Club.
Originally published May 13, 1997
By Pamela Appea
The Chicago Maroon
Mexican nationalist poetry, flamenco dancing and the folkloric traditions of Bolivia, among other acts, were artfully presented to over 300 students and community residents who attended the Hispanic Association for Cultural Expression and Recognition’s (HACER) third annual cultural show this past Saturday, May 10, at Ida Noyes Hall.
“Overall, I believe that the show was a tremendous success. All the major regions of Latin America were represented with song and dance,” said Nubia Chaidez, HACER director of student affairs, and a second-year student at the College.
Nobleza Azteca, a Mexican folkloric dance team, started out the show. Nobleza, a twenty-person group consisting of Chicago Public City school children performed seven different dance numbers while dressed in traditional billowing white and vivid multi-colored Mexican dresses. The dancers performed a complex candle dance, a sun dance, and a mambo dance among other numbers.
Next, a nine-person group played the marimba, a traditional Guatemalan percussion instrument played with wooden mallets which is similar to the xylophone.
“Our music is an expression of our faith. The marimba of Guatemala is a manifestation that remains in the history of our people and in the rhythmic and melodic expressions,” said a spokesperson for the group.
In keeping with this nationalistic tradition, painted and carved on the marimba were creative, colorful representations of indigenous gods, and as well as the quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. According to one of the instrumentalists, the Guatemalan marimba is made from a special kind of wood which can only be found in certain regions of Central America.
Energetic folkloric Bolivian dances were interspersed between acts.
“Some dances have an “Afro-Bolivian feel to them,” said Carolina Saavedra, a dancer in the Bolivian troupe.
She explained that the sound of the bells on the dancers’ ankles during the dance symbolized the noise of the shackles on slaves ankles. “The dance, ultimately, is about freedom, strength and power,” said Saavedra.
“It’s a liberating dance,” said Monica Angeleno, another long-time member of the troupe. She added that the costumes’ colors or designs usually have a certain symbolic meaning or value, depending on what dance is performed. Many of these handmade costumes take months to complete.
Several attendees enjoyed the Bolivian dance troupe. “[Watching] the Bolivian folkloric dance was a good learning experience. This [means of cultural expression] is new to me. I could imagine taking [dance] class to try out some of it,” said Earick Rayburn, a first-year student in the College.
The HACER cultural show also featured a Spanish flamenco performance, which included guitar, vocals and dance and Kuumba Lynx, which featured poetry, dance and rap. Tango Bar featured tango dancing and several students performed Caribbean Mosaique dance numbers. Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian art form which combines music, martial arts and dance, was presented as well.
The majority of audience members liked the diversity of acts within the show and plan to attend next year. Gaston Angulo enjoyed the show immensely. It was the long-time Chicago resident’s first trip to both the U of C and the HACER cultural show.
“If we didn’t have shows such as these, we would miss our customs, songs, folklore and Latin/African roots,” Angulo said.
“If I didn’t [talk about our heritage] to my children, [these] traditions wouldn’t be passed on,” he said.
However many cultural attendees felt there could have been some improvements. A few U of C students complained that the nearly four-hour show was “too long,” and one or two acts in the middle of the show should have been eliminated or shortened.
William Espinoza, a community resident, wondered why there were so few Caucasians in the audience. Espinoza was curious if it was because Caucasians are “apathetic” and do not enjoy Latino cultural shows or HACER members and other Latinos do not publicize these events enough outside the Latino community.
“We should try to involve [and consequently] enrich the Anglo community in events such as these,” he said.
“It was very nice show,” said Domingo Andreuzzi, a Chicago resident, whose wife danced with the Bolivian dance troupe.
He mentioned that some technical improvements could be made such as using a wider stage for the dancers and more efficient lighting, which was shining in the audiences faces.
Robyn McCoy, A.B. ’96, from Michigan enjoyed the show. “I’m glad I came,” she said. “Cultural shows like these are really a treasure.”
A pre-show catered dinner was served buffet style on the first and third floors of Ida Noyes Hall. There was a great variety of meat and vegetarian dishes. Tania’s, Piccolo Mondo Café, Gonnella Baking Company, and Empanadas Unlimited catered the event.
Tickets cost eight dollars for U of C students and ten dollars for other attendees. A small discount was offered to those who purchased show tickets in advance.
A few Caribbean dance party, sponsored by HACER, was held after the show at the Reynolds Club.
Originally published May 13, 1997
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