A registered student organization at the University of Chicago
Crucial social issues and human rights abuses have gone underreported in our city. Gender violence, police brutality, racial discrimination, worker exploitation, and the housing crisis are a few of the human rights issues the city's media has been unwilling or unable to confront effectively.
The aim of this event is to understand why, and learn what practicing journalists and city residents can do about it. If you would like to know more on why we have created this forum, please read our open letter to the Chicago media community here. You can also download the event's poster.
Four award-winning media professionals will discuss the challenges and effectiveness of writing on human rights abuses in our city from outside or on the fringes of the mainstream media.
Jamie Kalven–-independent journalist and founder of the Invisible Institute, Kalven worked extensively with the Stateways Gardens community. His book Working With Available Light is published by Norton. |
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John Conroy—staff writer for the Chicago Reader, he has covered the Jon Burge torture case since 1990. He is also the author of Unspeakable Acts, Ordinary People: The Dynamics of Torture, published by Knopf. |
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Beauty Turner—assistant editor and reporter for Residents’ Journal, Turner lived in the Robert Taylor Homes, one of the nation's most infamous public housing high-rise buildings, for more than a decade. She is also a well-known community activist. |
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Salome Chasnoff—executive director of Beyondmedia Education, video and installation artist, media activist and educator, Chasnoff's work is dedicated to expanding media access for the diverse stories of women and girls. She speaks widely on women’s media activism. |
Due to unforeseen circumstances, moderator Steve Edwards will be replaced by
Steve Rhodes, publisher & editor of The Beachwood Reporter.
It is our hope that by involving Chicago students, community members, local politicans, media professionals, and others, we can open the path to more balanced coverage and informed discussion of social and economic injustice in the city.
We would like to thank our co-sponsors, especially the Center for International Studies, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum , Student Government, the University of Chicago Human Rights Program, and our friends at Social Justice Forum.
If you have any questions or requests, please contact shr.uchicago at gmail.com or call Leo Gertner at (914) 844-1921