Last newsletter edition of Winter Quarter, 14 E panel 5 takeaways, and fifth measles case confirmed in Chicago
Plus, Oppenheimer sweeps at the Oscars
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! We’ve got a good one for you today. It’s your newsletter team — Alexandra, Mo, Emily D, Jana, Sam, Emily F, Elizabeth and Hailey — back with the last newsletter edition of the Winter Quarter! The 14 E staff wishes everyone a restful Spring break and we will see you again in April.
Tonight, 14 East Community Engagement Editor Monique “Mo” Petty-Ashmeade details the two-part public newsroom 14 East Magazine hosted on Black Women Trailblazing Independent and Mass Media. Both panel discussions were joined by Nekia Nichelle, Judith McCray, Tonia Hill and Corli Jay where they gave insights into their careers as journalists and how to adapt to the changing landscape of journalism. In Chicago news, the fifth measles case was found in Chicago after the health department announced this afternoon that two new measles cases were identified at a city-run shelter in Pilsen. As a result, officials have started to ramp up vaccination efforts and are taking more precautions. Also, who tuned into last night’s Oscars ceremony? Some highlights included Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer winning the most of the awards of the evening and Ryan Gosling singing “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie.
If you want to show support for 14 East and ‘In the Loop,’ we invite you to donate directly to our newsroom. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a monthly gift, every cent helps us build a newsroom that serves you, our readers, and we get 100% of your donation.
With that, let’s get into tonight’s news!
Black Women Trailblazing Independent and Mass Media
By Monique “Mo” Petty-Ashmeade
On February 13 and March 5, 14 East Magazine hosted a two-part public newsroom series on Black Women Trailblazing Independent and Mass Media. Through these events, we were joined by Nekia Nichelle (JustNLife), Judith McCray (Juneteenth Productions & Change Agents), Tonia Hill (The Triibe) and Corli Jay (Crain Business). These outstanding journalists sat down and gave us insight into their careers, how to get started and how to adapt to the changing landscape of journalism.
Don’t limit yourself to only the newsroom
During our first newsroom with Nekia Nichelle and Judith McCray, both touched on breaking out of the traditional realm of heading straight to a newsroom or waiting to be accepted into these spaces. They encouraged those who were passionate, to begin with building their own brand and identity within journalism instead of tying it to a newsroom or publication. McCray also expressed the importance of embracing failure that comes with that and understanding that there is no perfect path to ensure success but being willing to put yourself out there will open doors.
Be intentional and create community with your sources
All four panelists pointed out the importance of staying in contact with your sources. Journalism, like many other fields, lost a sense of interpersonal connections with people during the pandemic. Hill expressed being an up-and-coming freelancer in the midst of that time period and how she made an effort to connect with her sources even after publishing to build community. Both sets of panelists agreed that fostering these relationships may help to create a future community.
Understand where objectivity comes from and when to employ it
As Black women in journalism, the panelists expressed how objectivity operates differently especially as we are seeing more pressing matters in day-to-day life. As a journalist, it is encouraged to always fact-check and ensure that the information one is providing is true. However, the word objectivity comes up frequently and a point that was made by Hill was that “There is no way to divorce my identity from my worldview.” That isn’t to say that there isn’t a time when you shouldn’t employ objectivity in your work. The example Hill used was their coverage of last year's Mayoral Election expressing there is a difference in placing objectivity on an elected official versus a citizen who is impacted by these laws. “I’m going to hold political officials and those running for office in a much higher esteem than the people in my neighborhood because they have the ability to make decisions that impact us all and they are held to a higher standard than the regular everyday neighbor,” she said.
Impact over profit should be a driving force within journalism
All of the panelists agreed that putting people over profit is something that mass media is currently missing. They expressed how indie publications are often the newsroom putting this into practice. The idea that a story can only be discussed from one angle creates a rigid form of storytelling. Additionally, Jay said the lack of in-depth research from multiple sources to create long-form stories becomes a disservice to the audience. “I feel like [mass media] doesn’t dig deep. Basically what they do is look at our stories and ledes and headlines and report and say that,” she said.
Independent media has the power to fill the gaps between mass media and local citizens
During the second panel discussion, Tonia and Corli were asked about their view on the importance of independent media as we see the journalism landscape continue to change and the fall and downsizing of mainstream publications. “We see the world differently and those voices are needed…These independent and local nonprofits are beginning to fill this gap,” Hill said. Her and Jay emphasized that local publications have helped pave the way for more community coverage citing the creation of Block Club Chicago and journalism hub City Bureau which invests in teaching local citizens how to report, investigate and stay informed about what is happening throughout the city through their Documenters program. Spaces such as these give voice to the community and invite them in as experts and problem solvers as we move towards a more solutions-based journalism lens.
DePaul News
By Emily Diaz
DePaul joins “Welcome Corps on Campus” program, welcoming refugee student
DePaul has announced that it will work with the U.S. Departments of State and Health and Human Services’ “Welcome Corps on Campus” program to host one refugee student every two years. The program aims to welcome refugees to universities who are passionate about refugee resettlement. Along with almost 150 other college institutions, DePaul’s goal is to help refugee students obtain opportunities for career-building in the United States. DePaul community members who would like to donate resources to this effort are encouraged to do so by emailing Kraus at ekraus@depaul.edu . Read more at DePaul Newsline here.
DePaul integrates AI research into Health Informatics program improvements
DePaul professor of artificial intelligence, health informatics and human computer interaction Casey Bennett is combining AI algorithms with healthcare access agendas. He plans to develop new tech products that make healthcare healing more efficient. His vision for DePaul’s healthcare program is to integrate machine learning into digital health, increasing the skillset of clinicians using technology. He says reducing “step by step” problem solving and increasing data-driven solutions can make healthcare processes more effective. Though his research is older, he plans to revamp it via new and upcoming studies, reflective of DePaul’s push for Designing DePaul initiatives. Read more at DePaul Newsline here.
DePaul students use new cutting edge technology to enhance the filmmaking process
Using newly developed technology called Virtual Production, DePaul School of Cinematic Arts students are innovating new creative processes for filmmaking. ABC 7 reported on DePaul’s collaboration with this new cutting edge technology, which works in lieu of green screens. Essentially, LED lights produce vibrant and diverse arrangements of backgrounds for productions. In ABC 7’s video footage of the filmmaking, DePaul Associate Professor Brian Andrews gave a tour of DePaul’s revolutionary “Cinespace” studio in Chicago’s West Side.
“With this, you can make anything,” Meghan Shaw said. “The sky is the limit and even that is limitless.” ABC7’s Christan Peikos has the story.
DePaul track runner Darius Brown wins “First Team All-American Award”
DePaul track and field runner Darius Brown has not only ended his athletic season with a seventh place finish at the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) hurdle championship final, but took home an award for First Team All-American Award. All-American titles are awarded to a small elite of top-performing athletes in the U.S.. The award specifically honors students who finish top eight in their championship event, in this case, a 60m hurdle race. Brown’s impressive 7.74 second running time will go down in the books as one of DePaul’s most talented athletes. In its 126 years, only 11 other DePaul track and field athletes have been recognized as All-American performers. To read more, DePaul Athletics has more information.
Chicago Headlines
By Jana Simovic
Convicted Ex-Ald. Ed Burke will keep his law license - Former Chicago Alderman, Edward Burke will be keeping his law license, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled on March 11, despite a guilty verdict regarding a City Hall scheme. In late December of last year, Burke was convicted by a federal jury on 13 out of 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and attempts extortion for illegally soliciting and extorting private legal work from businesses and companies at City Hall — less than a month later, a petition to suspend Burke’s law license was formed by the state Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC). On February 2 however, this push would be sidelined because at least four of seven justices in the court recused themselves from the matter. To read the in-depth details, make sure to check out Sun-Times’ Dave McKinney and WBEZ’s Jon Seidel reporting here.
Fifth measles case confirmed in Chicago - According to the city health department, a child has been hospitalized with measles making it the third case found in Chicago since last week and the second time that the resident is of a city-run shelter for migrants in Pilsen. The child is in good condition and the health department is working with partners to screen and vaccinate shelter residents, according to a news release from the department. The city’s efforts have been controversial since the first case was confirmed last week: migrants were woken up at 1 a.m. to officials announcing a quarantine and stating anyone who left would lose their place inside the shelter — causing panic and confusion. Since then, residents who have been able to provide proof of vaccination have been allowed to leave while those who can’t must stay inside. This article was updated in the afternoon today after the health department announced two new measles cases were identified at a city-run shelter in Pilsen, this time both in adults. To read the full details of both events, make sure to read Block Club’s Kelly Bauer and Alex V. Hernandez’s reporting here.
City and Primary Elections are almost here - Primary and city elections are coming up in a little over a week and “Bring Chicago Home,” Mayor Johnson’s real estate transfer tax, is set to be on the March 19th ballot, the Tribe reports. To read more about what the policy entails before heading to the polls, read Illinois Policy Institutes summary and description here. For a more in-depth guide, make sure to head to WTTW’s 2024 Illinois Primary Voter Guide here.
20 Days in Mariupol wins Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature - The Frontline produced documentary is the work of Ukrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and field producer Vasilisa Stepanenko that captures images of early days of the Russia-Ukraine war. The small team of journalists were working with the Associated Press when they bore witness to the bombardment of the city of Mariupol in February of 2022, and after escaping would use their recordings and photographs to create the feature length documentary. Chicago’s WTTW spoke with Chernov in November of last year regarding his decisions both on the ground and in the editing process as a conflict journalist. To read the interview, check out WTTW’s story here. WBEZ also spoke with a Ukrainian family featured in the film that now resides in Chicago, check out the story here to read about their recovery two years later.
Bears set to stay in Chicago — prepared to spend $2 Billion on new stadium - According to several news organizations, the Chicago Bears have backed off possible plans on building a stadium in Arlington Heights, instead opting to stay in the city of Chicago. The news plans will instead provide private funding for a new publicly owned domed stadium that is set to be located along the lakefront. To get the details of this developing story, read WTTW’s Matt Masterson’s article here.
St. Patrick’s Day festivities - It’s no secret that Chicago loves to celebrate, and St. Patrick’s Day is certainly no different. If you want to join in on the fun, Block Club Chicago has completed a comprehensive list of the festivities happening later this week, read Leen Yassine's guide here.
National Headlines
By Sam Freeman
Judge to decide whether the leading prosecutor in the Georgia Trump case should be disqualified – After issuing a warning to Fulton County district attorney Fani T. Willis, Judge Scott McAfee, 34, is deciding whether to disqualify Willis on the grounds that her past romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, the lawyer she hired to run the case, created a conflict of interest. While many legal experts agree that Willis exercised poor judgment, many differ on whether that creates a legitimate conflict of interest and if she should be disqualified, as a result. Judge McAfee decided to proceed with hearings, focusing on when Willis’s relationship with Wade started and whether they were lying when they said it began after she hired him. The Georgia case involves Trump and 18 of his allies who were charged last August with attempting to overthrow the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Four defendants have pleaded guilty. Danny Hakim and Richard Fausset from The New York Times have the story.
Muslims prepare for a more somber Ramadan due to the Israel-Hamas war – More than 31,000 Gazans have been killed since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, according to health officials. Around the world, Muslims are preparing for Ramadan – a time of fasting, feasting and charity that is meant to bring them closer to God. Muslim communities in Southern California come together to meet and celebrate the breaking of the fast (which is known as the Iftar meal). "We're going to do one minute of silence for the people who have died in the fighting, for both Israelis and Palestinians," said Waqar Khan, an event organizer in the Los Angeles suburbs. In addition to fasting, Muslims give charity during Ramandan, however, many know that the money they raise or care packages they create won’t make it to their relatives and friends in Gaza. Jason DeRose of NPR has the story.
Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful without smartphones, according to a Pew study – A new report from the Pew Research Center shows that nearly three-quarters of U.S. teens feel happy or peaceful when they don’t have their smartphones on them. However, despite research showing that teens have improved moods, many do not limit cell phone or social media usage. The survey comes in the midst of policy discussions around teen relationships with cell phones and social media. Last year, California, New York and 10 other states sued Instagram and Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to the mental health crisis by intentionally designing features that addict children. The CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies stood before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about their platform’s harm to adolescents. While concerns increase, many teens say the benefits of having a smartphone outweigh the concerns. Barbara Ortutay of the Associated Press has more information.
Schiff denies Porter’s claims that the California primary was rigged – After Representative Adam B. Schiff (D) won the California primary, Representative Katie Porter (D) claimed that wealthy donors spent millions of dollars for Schiff to “rig” the election. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Schiff said the term “rigged” is a very loaded word, and it “connoted fraud, ballot stuffing and false claims like those of Donald Trump.” Porter’s remarks drew criticism from her Democratic colleagues, including Senator Alex Padilla of California, who called her suggestion “ridiculous” in an interview with Politico. Schiff and his allies spent millions of dollars airing television ads that described Steve Garvey as “too conservative for California.” Minho Kim from The New York Times has more information.
14 East Pueblo: New ‘FRIDA’ Documentary Coming to Amazon Prime
By Emily Figueroa
Frida Kahlo made her mark as a Mexican artist who shared her identity and heritage through painting. Her image redefined beauty for women, and her creations made space for unique femininity in the public eye.
Her life’s work has now been combined with diary entries, essays, letters and candid interviews into the documentary “FRIDA” available on Amazon Prime March 14.
Directed and edited by Carla Gutiérrez, the film uncovers personal materials that speak to Kahlo’s fame and ability to inspire generations of women and artists. Gutiérrez’s team, mostly made of female Latine artisans, spent two years researching and producing this historical documentary.
The team created the film by using animation, images and music to develop an authentic story of the adored artist. This style of production allowed Kahlo’s story to be told in her own words, and it earned Cuitérrez the Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award in the U.S. Documentary section.
Watch her truth in her art and career, and expect to meet a new version of the iconic artist.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Elizabeth Gregerson
Last night’s Oscars ceremony saw Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer win the most awards of the evening. The film took home seven trophies, including actor Cillian Murphy’s win of Best Actor for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Murphy poignantly ended his acceptance speech saying, “We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or for worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world. So I would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.”
It is a statement that reflects the time many Americans find themselves in, watching and reading the coverage of the violence in Palestine and Ukraine. But Murphy’s statement also reflects the time of Oppenheimer, and the consequences of the violent weapon he created.
Oppenheimer the man, also known as the Father of the Atomic Bomb, is seen grappling with his invention in the Oppenheimer film. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the movie is very much from the perspective of Oppenheimer himself and those around him.
A different book is this week’s recommendation though. Written by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist John Hersey, the 1946 book Hiroshima centers the perspectives of six people who lived through the death and destruction caused by Oppenheimer’s invention.
Hersey’s past experience as a war correspondent led to him being hired by The New Yorker to travel and interview the surviving witnesses of the United State’s attack on Japan during World War II, while also being one of the first American journalists to see the devastation of the attack.
In 1985 Hersey followed up on the lives of those he featured in the piece. Available at bookstores and libraries, most editions of Hiroshima include both Hersey’s original reporting and the 1985 additions.
Reading Hersey’s Hiroshima can give Oppenheimer film audiences much needed context while also giving a voice to the people not shown in the film, those whose lives were destroyed by the creation of nuclear weapons.
Resources
Need resources regarding warming centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team