The DePaulia 10.16.2023

DePaulia

The

Volume #108 | Issue #6 | Oct. 16, 2023 | depauliaonline.com

Historic attendance record set at DePaul, Iowa charity exhibition

See IOWA, page 16

INSIDE

Marquette, DePaul on-campus safety comparison Page 3

Manuel absent from inclusivity town hall Page 4

DePaul’s Anaya Peoples goes in for a layup during an outdoor charity basketball game in Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

International film festival in Chicago Page 8

DONALD CROCKER | THE DEPAULIA

2 | News. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023

News

CAMPUS CRIME REPORT

The DePaulia is the official student-run newspaper of DePaul University and may not necessarily reflect the views of college administrators, faculty or staff.

LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS

PRINT MANAGING | Lilly Keller managing@depauliaonline.com

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Nadia Carolina Hernandez eic@depauliaonline.com ONLINE MANAGING | Samantha Moilanen online@depauliaonline.com

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NEWS EDITOR | Lucia Preziosi news@depauliaonline.com ASST. NEWS EDITOR | Rose O’Keeffe news@depauliaonline.com OPINIONS EDITOR | Carly Witt opinion@depauliaonline.com FOCUS EDITOR | Una Cleary focus@depauliaonline.com ARTS & LIFE EDITOR | Claire Tweedie artslife@depauliaonline.com ASST. ARTS & LIFE EDITOR | Sam Mroz artslife@depauliaonline.com SPORTS EDITOR | Ryan Hinske sports@depauliaonline.com ART EDITOR | Maya Oclassen art@depauliaonline.com DESIGN EDITOR | Jake Cox design@depauliaonline.com MULTIMEDIA EDITOR | Quentin Blais multimedia@depauliaonline.com ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR | Jonah Weber multimedia@depauliaonline.com PHOTO EDITOR | Kit Wiberg photo@depauliaonline.com ASST. PHOTO EDITOR | Erin Henze photo@depauliaonline.com COPY EDITOR | Amber Corkey copydesk@depauliaonline.com SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR | Vanessa Lopez social@depauliaonline.com COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EDITOR | Ruchi Nawathe community@depauliaonline.com ADVISER | Martha Irvine mirvine5@depaul.edu

Assault & Theft

Drug & Alcohol

Other

Lincoln Park Campus Crimes:

Oct. 4 1) Graffiti was found on the exterior of Seton Hall.

GERENTE EDITORIAL | Rodolfo Zagal managingladepaulia@depauliaonline.com EDITORA DE NOTICIAS | Cary Robbins crobbi10@depaul.edu ASESORA | Laura Rodriguez Presa larodriguez@chicagotribune.com

incident of Criminal Sexual Abuse that occurred in Munroe Hall on October 5th.

Oct. 8 8) A Simple Battery was reported on public property near LeCompte Hall. The offender made inappropriate contact with the victim’s buttocks. A Safety Alert was issued regarding the incident.

3) A Theft report was filed regarding an electric scooter taken from the rack outside the Richardson Library.

9) A Marijuana Smell was reported in LeCompte Hall.

Oct. 6 4) A Criminal Damage report was filed regarding damage to a vehicle parked in the Clifton Parking Garage.

Oct. 7 5) An Illegal Consumption of Alcohol report was filed in Seton Hall. Subject was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital.

6) Graffiti was found on the exterior of Centennial Hall.

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SOURCE | DEPAUL CRIME PREVENTION OFFICE

2) A Deceptive Practices report was filed regarding an individual soliciting donations on public property near McCabe Hall.

7) Public Safety received information relating to an

La DePaulia es el noticiero oficial estudiantil en español de la Universidad DePaul, enfocado en proveer una voz para la comunidad latinx.

Nuestras opiniones no necesariamente reflejan las opiniones de la administración, facultad o personal de la universidad.

LOOP CAMPUS

LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS

Oct. 9 10) A Theft report was filed regarding a scooter taken from the bike rack outside Levan & O’Connell.

Loop Campus Crimes:

Oct. 4 1) A Criminal Damage report was filed in the DePaul Center Plaza.

2) A Criminal Damage report was filed regarding an offender who damaged an office door in the Daley Building. Subject was issued a Criminal Trespass Warning.

Oct. 8 3) A Theft was reported on the 11th floor cafeteria area of the DePaul Center.

11) A Threats report was filed regarding an incident that occurred on the 1200 block of Fullerton.

Oct. 10 12) Public Safety received a report of Criminal Sexual Abuse that occurred in LeCompte Hall on Sept 29th.

13) Graffiti was found in the stalls of a Student Center men’s restroom.

CORRECTION: A story in the Oct. 9 edition misspelled the last name of DePaul men’s hockey captain Brock Ash.

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Campus safety showdown Comparing Marquette and DePaul’s safety presence

By Rose O’Keeffe Asst. News Editor

Marquette University in downtown Milwaukee buzzed with weekend anticipation Friday as students walked to and from class across Wisconsin Avenue, just a few blocks from their campus police headquarters.

It did not take long for the Marquette University Police Department’s (MUPD) navy and yellow vehicles to blend into the campus scene. Whether parked on busy streets, patrolling near residence halls, or monitoring the university’s parking garages, MUPD is a steady presence that students said is reassuring.

“I feel like it’s a lot more safe, especially being in the city, than a campus that doesn’t have police,” Maddie Brantman, a Marquette sophomore, said. She finds it comforting that she can call MUPD for an escort or even walk to their centrally located station at night.

Unlike Marquette, Loyola University, Northwestern University and UIC, DePaul has never had its own police force. Instead, it opts for the Department of Public Safety.

Public Safety goals are to protect life and property on campus, prevent crime and educate the DePaul community about safety practices. The department is grounded by the belief that “it is more prudent to prevent crimes than to react to them after the fact,” according to Public Safety’s website.

This goal suggests a proactive approach to crime management, but with the recent surge in on-campus robberies, some community members are calling for more drastic changes to Public Safety itself.

DePaul sophomore Kere Eno wants DePaul to establish a campus police force.

“Having police on campus can’t hurt,” Eno said. “It could help students feel safer and police officers could help de-escalate situations that are in the general vicinity.”

She said having a consistent law enforcement presence could be beneficial but should be considered regardless of the recent spike in crime.

MUPD Assistant Chief Jeff Kranz said the university hired him in Oct. 2014 to aid in the transition from Public Safety to campus police. MUPD was officially commissioned in May 2015.

Kranz told The DePaulia this change was motivated by “an overall concern for safety and how to better serve students at Marquette,” not any particular incident.

Kranz said MUPD was modeled after Loyola University’s police and has since had success creating campus police with a smalltown approach.

“The biggest advantage I see is to be able to deliver a personalized policing service to Marquette and the community that surrounds it,” he said.

MUPD is fully funded by Marquette University and includes police officers and public safety officers within the force.

After dark, Marquette’s campus was quiet Friday, Oct. 6. The occasional student posse shuffled across Westowne Square, a campus space similar to DePaul’s Quad. Even more visible were the many emergency blue light towers, accessible at different points on campus.

Lori Martinez, Marquette sophomore and legislative vice president of Marquette’s student government, said an MUPD officer is assigned to each residence hall to foster community-driven policing.

Students can contact MUPD to report incidents because response times are faster than that of the Milwaukee Police Department, Martinez said.

“MUPD is not only for big theft cases and

Adding an authority figure affiliated with the law on campus sends a threatening message to students,” Anna Tronstad

DePaul Sophomore

burglaries, they’re also here just to monitor our buildings,” Martinez said, which is what DePaul’s Public Safety is also used for.

Kranz said he could not speculate how much it would cost for DePaul to convert to a police force but said Marquette’s transition nearly 10 years ago was made simpler and cheaper because of how well-equipped their Public Safety was.

“Our public safety was already fully uniformed. They were already armed, so equipment didn’t cost a ton,” he said.

DePaul’s Public Safety officers are not armed and cannot arrest or charge perpetrators.

Marquette’s student body is roughly half that of DePaul’s. In 2021, Marquette reported having 11,320 students. In 2022, DePaul had 20,917.

However, Marquette’s officers have more ground to cover with one 107-acre campus than DePaul’s two campuses covering 41 acres.

The Director of DePaul’s Public Safety Robert Wachowski said the university has previously considered forming a campus police force. However, he said administrators ultimately decided that Public Safety “Meets the needs of the university community in a way that a campus police force would not.”

Since Public Safety is an office within the university, Wachowski said protecting DePaul’s campus community is his team’s sole responsibility.

“If our Public Safety officers were instead licensed police officers through the state of Illinois, the DePaul community would no longer be our officers’ only responsibility,” Wachowski said in an Oct. 11 statement to The DePaulia. “They would instead be responsible by law to respond to calls from Lincoln Park community members.”

Wachowski said DePaul Public Safety has a longstanding, effective partnership with the Chicago Police Department (CPD).

“When a victim alerts Public Safety to a crime, we work with the victim on next steps, whether that’s connecting with CPD (if they haven’t already been called), other services or turning the case over to our in-house investigator,” Wachowski said in the statement.

Kranz, however, said having campus police eliminates the chain of command from public safety staff to city police and instead allows in-depth investigations and quicker response times.

“As public safety, you do what you do to initiate an investigation, but then you end up waiting for the local police department to pick it up from there,” Kranz said.

Even so, some DePaul students agree that a campus police force is unnecessary.

“Adding an authority figure affiliated with the law on campus sends a threatening message to students,” DePaul sophomore Anna Tronstad said. “Campus should feel comfortable for all, and I don’t believe adding a police

ROSE O’ KEEFFE | THE DEPAULIA

A person walks by Marquette University’s campus police station in Milwaukee on Oct. 6, 2023.

officer will accomplish that goal.”

Kranz conceded that having a police force wasn’t a cure-all for Milwaukee’s 2022 spike in crime.

“I’d love to say, we’ve had this huge impact, but we’re so driven by what’s going on in the city,” he said.

Crime that year included three armed robberies on Marquette’s campus within three weeks, prompting university president Michael Lovell to assemble a presidential task force for safety.

Six months after the task force implemented safety improvements – such as installing more blue emergency lights and security cameras, increasing residence hall security and expanding EagleExpress shuttle service – The Marquette Wire reported a 46% decrease in robberies and a 26% decrease in vehicle thefts.

DePaul President Robert Manuel has promised similar changes to increase safety following recent crimes on campus, which include five robberies and several instances of battery on campus since Aug. 31.

In an update to the DePaul community Oct. 9, university administration said CPD has increased patrols on DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus, and the university is actively hiring more Public Safety officers. In addition, university workers also painted blue light stations in the Sheffield parking garage to make them more visible.

Rhonda DeLong, police officer and DePaul criminology professor said DePaul should strongly consider creating campus police even with recent Public Safety improve-

ments.

“I really think because of the size of the campus and the location that a sworn police agency would be the way to go,” DeLong said.

She said she has encountered many universities smaller than DePaul with campus police. Nevertheless, she recognized many students’ apprehension about a consistent campus law enforcement presence.

“I feel that DePaul would benefit from such a transition if -- and only if -- the selection and training process seeks out those with a community philosophy rather than an enforcement one,” DeLong said.

Despite his confidence in MUPD, Kranz did not explicitly recommend campus police to DePaul.

“It’s something you don’t want to rush into,” he said. “You need to hear from a lot of the different communities that you’re going to have an impact on. And that’s not necessarily just the campus community.”

He said Marquette held several listening sessions before MUPD’s commissioning to determine how the community wanted to be policed and to address concerns about over policing and profiling.

As DePaul’s safety is closely scrutinized, the university is considering new solutions like possibly making DePaul a closed campus.

As of now, Public Safety continues to serve as DePaul’s dominant mode of campus security.

Read the extended, onlline version at depauliaonline.com

4 | News. The DePaulia. Oct.16, 2023

Inclusivity town hall sparks tension between students, administration

By Lilly Keller Print Managing Editor

DePaul President Robert Manuel’s absence at Monday night’s Inclusivity and Safety Town Hall left students outraged and disheartened, despite university leaders’ commitment to addressing concerns aired at the forum.

The town hall, hosted by the university’s four cultural centers, facilitated open dialogue between administration and students. Both students and faculty expressed apprehensions about potential racial profiling in light of the university’s recent ID policy.

Students say the revised protocols could disproportionately affect students of color, transgender students whose appearance or name differed from their IDs and students with disabilities who couldn’t easily show their IDs, barring access to educational resources.

“My stress level has been off the rails,” said Nana Ampofo, president of Students Against Incarceration. “I work at the library, and that’s like one of the only places in the whole Lincoln Park campus that’s doing this ID check. Being in a space as a student worker and having to see people being denied access to education … is just heartbreaking.”

Nevertheless, Manuel’s absence at the town hall prompted students to question the significance of the discussion, as it raised doubts about the president’s commitment to listening and caring for their concerns.

“To a certain extent, this is a waste of time,” Black Student Union (BSU) president Mya Wraggs said of Manuel. “This kind of feels like a big ‘f— you’ because you say you’re for the people, but I don’t see you here. I’m not seeing you in this moment that has a good percentage of your students terrified, and that’s concerning.”

Vice president for Student Affairs Eugene Zdziarski said Manuel would have liked to attend the event but was out of

town.

“The president’s message to us in this was that he is very interested in engaging with you on this topic and wants to have a follow-up session,” Zdziarski said.

In an Oct. 9 email, Manuel stated that he had been working alongside BSU to prevent instances of racial or ethnic profiling stemming from the updated protocols.

However, according to Wraggs, the administration never contacted the group before or after the email was sent.

“The president’s office is in no way working with the Black Student Union,” Wraggs said. “No one from their office has reached out to us about any collaboration, and we are very shocked and offended by that lie. We found out about this fictional collaboration when the email was sent out.”

Manuel expressed remorse over his actions in an Oct. 11 email.

“I would like to sincerely apologize for a letter about campus safety that I released to the community on Monday, Oct. 9, stating that my office was working with the Black Student Union to design solutions around the new ID policies on campus.

I am very sorry for this error and truly meant no harm,” Manuel said in the statement.

DePaul’s recent shift from an open campus, welcoming the campus community and the general public, to a limited access policy requiring proof of enrollment was driven by a concerning rise in robberies around the Lincoln Park campus.

The change followed a Sept. 25 email from the university announcing that starting Oct. 2, IDs would be required for upper floors of the DePaul Center, and public safety staff would receive sensitivity training.

José Perales, interim vice president of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity, reported that his office had mandated online DEI training for all public safety personnel in preparation for the ID requirements and is planning additional

YÙ YÙ BLUE | THE DEPAULIA

in-depth sessions with Public Safety soon.

“My role in being here is to listen to all of you and to see if I can put themes, the things that are really important [into a future training],” Perales said. “I heard concepts of racial profiling, the need to include trans students, individuals with disabilities and sometimes, when we consider these things, we first see them through a racial-ethnic filter. These other filters, we need to pay attention to as well.”

However, students like Ampofo expressed concerns that a week of DEI training may not be sufficient to address potentially racially charged incidents between public safety officers and students.

“If it’s an online module — as someone who has worked on campus and taken millions of modules — I can just easily skip it or put the volume down and go to the next room or take a call,” Ampofo said. “If [DEI] training takes time to implement, why have the ID checks already started?”

Perales emphasized the online modules acting as building blocks for public safety, gradually increasing officers’ awareness of unconscious bias, microaggression awareness, stereotype and prejudice reduction.

Still, some attendees remain unconvinced that officers would take the training

seriously.

“Is their job dependent on passing this training?” said Robert Davis Jr., the director of community affairs & activism within BSU. “Because if they take it five, six, times and now they’re able to [complete it], are they really able to complete their jobs?”

Perales said established procedures exist to address breaches of protocol within Public Safety.

“Public Safety officers are subject to the university’s progressive discipline policy like all other staff members,” Perales said.

“We expect all of them to participate in the DEI training.”

However, Valerie Johnson, associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, acknowledged students’ emotions and urged them not to interpret the university’s errors as a sign of negligence.

“I want you all to really disavow yourselves of any notion that we don’t care,” Johnson said. “Someone said we don’t always get it right and that’s very true. We are human, and we don’t always get it right.

But please don’t ever think that we don’t care because we care deeply for you all.”

Chicago art exhibit spotlights global environmental injustices

By Samantha Moilanen & Jacqueline Cardenas Online Managing Editor & La DePaulia Editor-In-Chief

An idea sparked four years ago led environmental activists and scholars to create a multimedia art exhibit that features local and global stories of climate injustices.

Visitors gathered for the opening of “Climates of Inequality: Stories of Environmental Justice,” an exhibit held at the Chicago Justice Gallery. The exhibit was developed by University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) students and activists through the Humanities Action Lab, a coalition of colleges and environmental justice organizations in cities across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Colombia and Mexico.

Upon entering the gallery, visitors are met with the sight of informative panels, featuring the stories of seven communities locally and abroad that became “sacrifice zones,” which are unregulated industrialized areas that lead to environmental damage and long term health risks to community members.

One of Chicago’s sacrifice zones is located in Little Village, which was covered in a thick cloud of dust after an old Crawford coal plant imploded on the southwest side neighborhood in April 2020.

The implosion exacerbated the health of South and West Side communities that already face a disproportionate amount of air pollution and hazardous waste, according to a 2023 cumulative community im-

pacts summary from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Jocelyn Vazquez, a lifelong Little Village resident and a current community service organizer with the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO), said the health discrepancies among those who lived near industrial corridors were particularly illuminated when the South Lawndale community reported some of the highest rates of COVID-19 throughout the course of the pandemic.

A lot of the people in her community also didn’t “have access to health insurance,” which limited their ability to seek treatment, Vazquez said.

By informing more people about the environmental injustice through art, it allows her community to “heal” and reminds people that “they have a say and they have a right to share the experiences” about their neighborhood, Vasquez said.

Edith Tovar, a lead organizer with LVEJO who graduated from UIC, said the exhibit was a “special homecoming.”

“Seeing the stories of my neighbors, it’s beautiful,” she said, holding back tears.

The exhibit also featured neighborhoods located in some of the city’s 24 industrial corridors, including Altgeld Gardens, Calumet River, McKinley Park, Pilsen and the Southeast Side.

Amalia Pallares, vice chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Engagement at UIC, said she hopes the exhibit will help spread awareness on how environmental burdens affect minority communities.

She said that although “we have sacrifice zones. We do not have sacrificed people,” to which people applauded.

The exhibit taught students that climate change and environmental pollution are not isolated issues, Pallares said.

“They’re connected to labor and economic inequality and migration and health and justice,” Pallares said.

Lauren Miranda, who worked as the exhibition designer, said the Social Justice Initiative wants to illustrate the climate injustices people face not only in Chicago but in different locations around the world.

“We tried to create a variety of different types of scenarios and situations that people are in around the globe,” Miranda said.

For Essence McDowell, director of arts and communication at the Social Justice Initiative, creating the exhibition was “probably one of the most challenging” projects she’s taken on because of her personal ties to climate injustices. Her family, she said, currently resides in one of the featured sacrifice zones in Northern New Jersey.

“It was an exhibition that I think just really centered our livelihood…this planet and our protection of it,” McDowell said.

As McDowell addressed the crowd of students, activists and community members, she referenced a colorful mural located in the back of the exhibit that showcased an earth split in half, divided by the vertex of two of the room’s walls.

“When I stand in front of that mural, I’m like, there are two ways that we can go with this planet. There’s one where this planet is destroyed and thus that destruction of our planet deeply impacts us and forces us to fight harder…,” McDowell said, as she pointed to protesters painted against a smoky backdrop. “And then there’s another way that we become a part of the planet and we integrate into nature, into healthier practices.”

Dr. Rosa Cabrera, director of the Latino Cultural Center at UIC said the exhibit centers climate change as an interconnected social justice issue while also highlighting the environmental leaders who are finding solutions to climate inequities.

“We wanted to affirm the work that this dedicated community in these areas continue to do fighting these fights,” Cabrera said.

Vazquez hopes visitors walk away from the exhibit realizing, “they have the power to make changes to this world.”

News. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023 | 5

Federal investigation binds Chicago to environmental justice

By Lucia Preziosi News Editor

Brandon Johnson unveiled a series of proposed environmental policies Sept. 18 in response to a federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) investigation that started in 2020. The investigation found the City of Chicago is violating residents’ civil rights by historically concentrating polluting industries in Black and Brown communities.

Johnson responded by releasing a series of reforms targeted at ending environmental burdens on South and West Side communities.

Johnson centered these policies around ensuring better response times to environmental complaints, air monitoring systems to measure and reduce air pollution and emphasizing public engagement in the planning and development process.

Southeast Side residents filed a complaint to the federal government in 2020, protesting the relocation of the General Iron scrap metal plant from Lincoln Park to the Southeast Side, a neighborhood already burdened by heavy industry.

The HUD investigation found Chicago historically relocates polluting industries from white neighborhoods to areas with predominantly Black and Brown residents.

Consistent industrial development in South and West Side neighborhoods creates “sacrifice zones,” where the health and safety of residents is sacrificed for development, according to the National Resource Defense Council.

According to professor of environmental science and studies Mark Potosnak, this relocation pattern is common in Chicago’s development narrative.

“When I got to Lincoln Park, there was still industry, there was a steel mill, and they shut it down because it was too close to wealthy, affluent Lincoln Park,” Potosnak said. “It is disheartening to see this repetitive pattern.”

The investigation bound Johnson’s administration and the city to work with various Chicago environmental justice organizations to “alleviate existing and prevent future environmental burdens, such as pollution and its negative health effects, and increase opportunities for environmentally burdened communities to participate in decision-making processes,” according to the agreement.

Oscar Sanchez, co-executive director of the Southeast Environmental Task Force and one of the environmental justice organizations that worked with Johnson’s administration, reveals that the City has not given proper resources to research the health impacts of concentrating pollutants in minority

MAYA OCLASSEN | THE DEPAULIA

neighborhoods.

Environmental justice organizations like SE Task Force started collecting their own data in 2020 to prove the negative health impacts due to toxic industries.

“As of right now, the HUD investigation uses our data through UIC and other institutions to create a data book about the health impacts happening in our community,” Sanchez said.

The campaign against General Iron is not a new fight. Protests began under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration in 2020.

Lightfoot eventually denied the permit, preventing the relocation of the scrap-metal operations to East 116th Street, and signed an agreement with Biden’s administration before Johnson’s inauguration last spring.

The owner of General Iron resubmitted a permit application despite the initial denial last year.

This request was blocked by Cook County Circuit Judge Allen Walker Sept. 5, and General Iron, rebranded as Southside Recycling, will remain closed.

Sanchez says that the fight against General Iron is far from over.

“To talk about HUD is to talk about how the agreement states that if the grant is given to General Iron at any moment, the case will be reopened,” Sanchez said.

Barbara Willard, DePaul professor and expert in environmental communications, remains skeptical that Johnson will be able to implement his proposed environmental justice promises.

“I see lots of hopes and dreams, but can he implement it?” Willard said. “Chicago is an incredibly complex political system in terms of the varied interests and all the wards … [Johnson] only has so much power.”

Potosnak points to the continued environmental promises of previous mayoral administrations, with little action actually seen.

“Mayor after mayor has come in with nice sounding environmental policies,” Potosnak said. “It’s really hard to evaluate the policies, you have to evaluate the actions.”

However, due to the federal investigation and involvement, Willard said Johnson is “federally required” to follow through on his environmental justice policies.

Willard said one of the biggest impacts of concentrating polluting industries in certain neighborhoods is health.

This includes higher rates of asthma and particular types of cancer associated with toxins which come from polluting industries.

Through a health impact assessment, the Chicago Department of Public Health found residents on the Southeast Side to be most vulnerable to air pollution, resulting in higher rates of coronary heart disease and COPD compared to other neighborhoods throughout the city.

Sanchez also points to life expectancy discrepancies, with life expectancy in Englewood falling to 72, compared to 82.3 in Lincoln Park, according to data from the city.

Sanchez identifies the fight for environmental justice and against General Iron as an intersectional public health issue, however, he said it is not often viewed this way by the

government.

“You have to look at health holistically and intersectionality,” Sanchez said. “It’s about putting health above profit. This intersects with everything happening in our lives.”

Along with the physical health impacts that stem from living in proximity to polluting industries, Sanchez says that environmental discrimination can have grave mental health impacts.

There are over 400,000 lead water pipes in Chicago, and studies find that exposure to lead can create behavioral problems in children.

“We are facing the ramifications of negligence,” Sanchez said. “It is the quality of someone’s mind that’s actually being contaminated.”

As the fight for environmental justice continues in Chicago, many remain hopeful that Johnson’s background and support for community organizing will lead to action.

“I think he genuinely respects the grassroots and community involvement,” Willard said. “I think we have a friend in Brandon Johnson when it comes to community organizing.”

Moving forward, environmental justice must be viewed from a more intersectional and individual lens, according to Sanchez.

“We need to address health needs and look at a person as a person and not a data point,” Sanchez said. “Each one of those people is a walking hope and dream.”

Israel, Gaza breakdown: Long history of conflict enters new phase

By The DePaulia Staff On October 7, Hamas, a Sunni Islamist political and militant organization and the governing power of the West Bank, launched a surprise attack on Israel, characterized as one of the broadest attacks on Israeli territory in 50 years, according to the New York Times.

Hamas launched rocket attacks into cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, followed

by Hamas entering Israel through land, sea and air.

Muhammad Deif, leader of the military wing of the Hamas, cited Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, the detention of Palestinians in Israeli jails, and the recent police raids on the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as reasons for the attack, which Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls a “dire situation.”

Israel has seen at least 1,200 deaths and the death toll in Gaza has climbed to 1,527 since Saturday, according to ABC News.

In response to the incursion, Netanyahu has deployed air strikes on cities in Gaza and has ordered a complete siege, officially declaring war.

In addition to military action, Netanyahu has called for a cut to resources, meaning no water, food, fuel or electricity for those in Gaza.

Many live in poverty in Gaza, as the region continues to suffer under a 16-year blockade by Israel, backed by Egypt, which was imposed after Hamas initially acquired power in the Gaza strip in 2007.

The blockade restricts the import of goods into Gaza, resulting in a deteriorated health care system and a 50 percent unemployment rate out of Gaza’s 2 million citizens.

The violence that erupted in the Middle East over the weekend stems from a long, historical conflict that dates back to World War I. Following the end of the first World War, and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire,

Britain assumed control over the region.

Through the Balfour Declaration, Britain was tasked with creating a “national home” for Jewish people. The agreement was legitimized by Britain and endorsed by the newly created League of Nations.

However, both Jewish and Arab populations claimed ancestral ties to the land which sparked growing tensions. Following the Declaration, and the atrocities of World War II, the Jewish population in this region grew.

After the end of World War II, Britain withdrew from Palestine, and the U.N. voted to split the land into divided Jewish and Arab states, agreed to by the Jewish leaders, but not agreed or implemented by the other side, A day after Israel declared statehood in 1948, five Arab states attacked, commencing the Arab-Israeli War. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homes and at the end of the war, Israel controlled most of the territory.

A peace agreement was never reached, giving way to a continued, complex conflict.

The Palestinians displaced from continued conflict often reside in Gaza, a 25 mile coastal strip of land with over 2 million residents; one of the most densely populated areas on Earth.

Many Palestinians also live in the West Bank, which is controlled by Israel, and in neighboring countries of Jordan and Lebanon.

As conflict enters its second week, Israel continues to receive support from the United States and the Biden Administration, along with most Western countries.

As of Friday, Israel urged over 1 million Palestinians to evacuate from Gaza, impending a planned Israeli ground operation, according to the AP. All of the information used in this story is attributed to news sources such as The Associated Press, BBC News, ABC News and The New York Times.

6 | Opinions. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023

Opinions

Column: Exploring love and attachment in relationships

By Samantha Moilanen Online Managing Editor

A year ago, I was in an unhealthy relationship that became even more complicated by a tragic accident that altered the course of my significant other’s life forever. The relationship was over before the accident, but this event made me hold onto feelings or ideas based on a false perception of what I thought was love. What I initially perceived as love soon transformed into an unhealthy fixation on glamorized memories from the past.

Now, when I hear the word love, my initial reaction is to shut down, dismiss that person’s feelings and avoid any conversations about commitment. Looking back on my interactions with partners over the last year, I’ve spent much time questioning how we know whether feelings stem from love or attachment?

Everyone searches for love. It is chemically hard-wired into our psyche to want and yearn for love from another person. But how do we know what love is or how it feels? As college students, many of us are too young to know what love is, let alone how to recognize it.

The American Psychological Association (APA) describes love as a complex emotion that evokes deep feelings of fondness for another person, happiness in their presence, commitment to the other’s well-being and awareness of how words or actions affect them.

According to PsychCentral, love involves fond feelings and actions toward another person, but attachment is driven by how you feel about yourself. Relationships based on attachment usually develop from the degree of safety your partner gives you and are influenced by experiences from your past re-

You don’t love someone because they meet your needs or because of what they can do or provide.

You love them in despite of those things.”

MADDEN CONWAY | THE DEPAULIA

lationships. With attachment, PsychCentral says your significant other could be replaceable and attention is only given when they satisfy your needs. With love, your partner is the only person you have feelings for.

Relationships have never been my strong suit. I’ve always been jealous of my friends, who constantly seem to know what they want and can maintain a relationship with their partner for longer than six months.

While my track record with relationships isn’t optimistic, I’ve had many people come in and out of my life during the last three years, causing me to question whether the feelings I’m experiencing stem from love or attachment.

Still, doesn’t the fact that I’m asking this question solidify the reality that I’ve never known what love is? Many associate love

with this idea that one day you’ll just know.

But what does that even mean?

When asking these questions, I’ve learned there are many forms of love and each person experiences it differently.

However, an overarching theme I’ve realized is that love is not a safety net. Its purpose is to truly challenge you, intentionally frustrate you and simultaneously genuinely excite you. If you are with a partner where it seems like you are constantly fighting an uphill battle, they may not be the right person for you.

One way to know whether you are just attached or really care about another person is to recognize the driving factors behind your perceived feelings. Research indicates that relationships based on a foundation of love often involve the desire to mutually support and give to see your partner happy.

You don’t love someone because they meet your needs or because of what they can do or provide. You love them despite those things.

In contrast, attachment relationships tend to develop when you are trying to fill a void, whether this be a desire for intimacy, companionship, validation or loneliness.

When you meet someone who fulfills those needs, it is easy to develop a strong attachment to them that may result in feelings that closely resemble what people describe as “love.”

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to fill a void this past year, and moving forward is no easy feat after a complicated relationship. Still, I hope to leave the past behind and learn to recognize when feelings are based on genuine emotion or attachment.

Recently, I heard the saying, “the safe choice is usually the wrong choice” when it comes to love. In matters of love, it can be tempting to seek out what feels familiar and safe, possibly because of the fear of uncertainty or heartbreak, but genuine connection requires us to venture beyond our comfort zone to find the most meaningful experiences life has to offer.

There will never be a best anime of all time

By Luis Ojeda Contributing Writer

Many people around the world love anime. The animated series include fun shows, such as Japan’s “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Dragon Ball Z.” But with the popularity of the genre also comes debate about which series is the best.

Some of the most common debates involve fans comparing the worlds, characters and stories to determine which anime is the best. Much of the debate is on social media. But is there truly a need to figure out which anime is better than another? I don’t think so.

Each series is unique and often has its own style. Sometimes people just love a series for the fight choreography or the soundtrack. But while people love an anime for the soundtrack others can hate it because of the soundtrack or other reasons. If there was a truly best anime, then it would be unanimously loved.

Most Japanese anime comes from Tokyo-based comic companies such as Shueisha and Kodansha. These stories are popular worldwide and are treasured for generations.

They are known for their unique animation and incredible fight scenes between characters. Some stories are more for a teen audience, but a lot of anime has a more mature storyline than the average animated show.

Many of the animated series here are mainly for kids or just for adults.

Some anime fans want to be like their favorite characters. Jeremiah Hoskins, a senior at Lincoln University, said he works out because he is inspired by the anime he watches.

“My personal favorite anime of all time will always be ‘Dragon Ball Z,’” Hoskins said.

“But overall, I don’t think there can ever be a top anime. There will always be another one that comes out and tops that one.”

“Dragon Ball Z” is one of the most popular series in anime and became one of the first shows to gain worldwide appeal in the 1990s. After premiering on Cartoon Network’s late-night “Toonami” block, anime began to boom here in the West.

It has inspired other series like “Bleach,” “Naruto” and “One Piece,” otherwise known as the “big three.”

But each show in the big three has something that differentiates it from the other two. With “Naruto,” I enjoy the fighting choreography. With “Bleach,” I love the author’s artstyle and the outfits that he designs for his characters. Finally, “One Piece” has a rich story and a vibrant world for its characters.

My favorite anime is a show that isn’t even in the big three. It’s just a great underdog boxing story called “Megalobox.”

Although it is my favorite anime, it doesn’t mean it’s the best or the only one I enjoy.

Luke Anderson, a DePaul sophomore majoring in Japanese Studies, sees a difference between “having a favorite and recognizing something as best.” He said having

YU YU BLUE | THE DEPAULIA

a favorite show or character is certainly possible. “[But] there are so many different genres, there’s such a scale of things,” Anderson said.

“I think choosing and picking one thing that embodies anime as a whole and is the best is impossible.”

I agree with Anderson’s perspective. Stories stick with you. I was at a low point when the second season of “Megalobox” came out.

Today, I love that seconwd season the most for lifting me up and getting me out of that rut. There will always be something special in each series that resonates with people’s lives. But there truly can never be one anime that is the best of all time.

Each season, new anime shows come out that grab fans’ attention. They have either

read the original story in the comics or are fans of the animation studios that have adapted the story.

I never got into anime until my junior year of high school. I watched “Erased” and “My Hero Academia” when it just started in 2016. I enjoyed both of those series and began to understand how anime could convey a story from a comic book in a new way.

One was a short drama series and the other, a superhero anime. Both series ignited a love for the genre for me, and I still look forward to new anime.

Although the shows are made for entertainment, I do get a bit of joy seeing the debates. But while there will still be debates to come, no one will ever truly win.

Opinions. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023 | 7

Commentary:

A ‘Swiftie’ walks into a sports bar LIZZIE MILLER | THE DEPAULIA

By Elizabeth Gregerson Contributing Writer

The assignment was simple: write about Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and the NFL. As a self-described Swiftie, I enthusiastically offered my services.

“What if I write about going to a sports bar as a Swift fan?” I said, sealing my fate.

I go to sports bars so infrequently, I forgot that they existed. I learned that Kelce’s team, the Kansas City Chiefs, would play Oct. 8 against the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota.

My heart immediately sank. No offense to Minnesotans, but I knew Taylor Swift was not going to Minnesota. I would not be able to study the reactions of bar patrons every time the NFL showed Swift in the box with Kelce’s mom.

I shook it off, my disappointment that is, and started to mentally prepare for all the conversations I’d be having with the bar full of football fans. Let the games begin.

I decided to go to Jimmy D’s District in Arlington Heights. The bar is across from the demolished remains of the Arlington Park racetrack, which may be transformed into the new Chicago Bears stadium.

Sunday came and I slipped on my beloved blue Eras Tour crew neck, which

I was lucky enough to buy at the June 9 show in Detroit. I laced up my sportiest sneakers and twisted my hair into an ‘Evermore’ braid. This Swiftie was going to a sports bar.

Long story short, no one at the sports bar cared. They were busy watching one of the variety of sporting events being shown on the many televisions in the bar.

There was baseball, NASCAR and multiple different NFL games on the screens.

The crowd was a hodgepodge of fans and tagalongs without a Chiefs fan in sight.

Attending the Eras Tour was better than my wildest dreams. The largely female audience at Ford Field was helpful and considerate. We complimented each other’s outfits and traded friendship bracelets. We handed our phones to total strangers for photo shoots. I felt safe in a lavender haze of camaraderie.

That was not my experience at the sports bar.

It’s not that I felt unsafe. The bar had attentive staff and the most delicious french fries. The day simply lacked a unifying force for all of us to hold on to.

I suspect there would have been a greater sense of togetherness had the Bears been playing.

There was no dancing around it. If only I searched for a “Kansas City Chiefs bar.” Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve.

Toons Bar & Grill, located at 3857 N. Southport Ave., proudly hosts the Chiefs

Kingdom. Owner Danny Beck offered insight into whether or not Swift’s presence has affected life at the bar.

“We hit capacity almost every game, but we haven’t seen any Swifties just showing up to watch the Chiefs,” Beck said.

I might not have gotten in if I had gone to Toons for the game. Beck recommended his other bar, Beck’s Chicago at 2201 N. Clybourn Ave, as a backup for Swifties wanting to join the Chiefs crowd.

To Beck, the frenzy is harmless.

“It’s just kind of fun for what it is,” Beck said. “A lot of new people are watching football. Hopefully they’ll be Chiefs fans.”

Beck’s remarks are supported by the data. Variety reports that about 27 million people tuned in when Taylor attended the Chiefs game against the Jets on Oct. 1. The game became the mostwatched Sunday game since the February 2023 Super Bowl.

According to Dan Azzaro, a DePaul public relations and advertising professor specializing in sports communication and marketing, the NFL has intentionally embraced the Swift-Kelce momentum.

The social media bio updates? None of it was accidental.

“They’re going to take something and ride it until it’s dead,” Azzaro said. “They knew they had Taylor Swift fans who were going to watch.”

Azzaro and Beck both think the moment has passed, though Azzaro says frustrated fans may not be out of the woods.

“I guarantee you if Kansas City gets to the Super Bowl, we’re going to see shots of her all over the place,” Azzaro said.

Back at Jimmy D’s District, I sought out the perspective of the bartender, Jamie. Surely she could speak for fans at the bar. Dear reader, her response was immediate.

“They think it’s annoying,” Jamie said when asked about bar patron’s reactions to Swift. “They all complain that they want to see the game, not her.”

With Jamie’s words, I understood.

Seeing celebrities show up in the VIP tent at the Eras Tour was exciting, but it wasn’t why I went to the concert.

There should be no bad blood between Swifties and sports fans. After all, we both spend our hard-earned money on tickets and bedazzle our faces. I suspect the unity I felt at the Eras Tour is how football fans feel when they pull up a barstool next to someone wearing their team’s colors.

Maybe sports fans aren’t eager to trade friendship bracelets with Swifties at the bar, but I think they can tolerate it.

Focus 8 | Focus. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023

Open ing night block party kicks off 59 an

Claude-Aline Nazarine-Miller, right, director of “376 Days (Nick Cave:Keep it Movin’)” and Alan Cave pose at the Chicago International Film Festival’s Block Party red carpet on Oct. 11, 2023. The

By Claire Tweedie Arts and Life Editor

The Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) brought the lights, cameras and action from the big screen to the Southport corridor for their Opening Night Block Party Oct. 11. The second annual event helped celebrate the film festival’s 59 year in Chicago, kicking off eleven days of international film screenings and industry events outside of the Music Box Theatre. Party attendees saw featured short films on an outdoor screen, live music from Chicago artists, a red carpet for filmmakers, and enjoyed food and crafts from local vendors.

“It’s great being outside and seeing a lot of people and a lot of excitement going around,” CIFF volunteer Hugo Nugraha said. “It’s an odd and interesting experience because I go to the Music Box quite often but I’ve

never seen this much energy outside the theater.”

“We Grown Now” marked the festival’s opening night screening and the film’s U.S. premiere, with an in-person Q&A afterward from director Minhal Baig. The film tells the story of 12-year-old boys Malik and Eric experiencing childhood in the infamous Chicago Cabrini-Green housing complex in the early 90s.

Festival attendees Forrest Parks and Rosalba Garibay attended the screening after learning about the movie from friends and professionals in the city’s film industry. Parks and Garibay said they wanted to support more projects from filmmakers of color in the city, leading them to Baig’s social media promoting “We Grown Now.” Garibay said the untold stories and histories of Chicago need to be shared internationally, not just within the surrounding communities.

“To have stories right here from home feels really important,” Parks said. “I’ve always seen really beautiful, impactful stories that aren’t told on the mainstage or the big screen. To have a festival that’s world-renowned here in Chicago means we’re seeing and sharing all of these stories that need to be heard.”

DePaul junior Audrey Webber attended the Opening Night Block Party and said there were noticeably more people and vendors compared to last year’s event. As a film major with a concentration in cinematography, Webber said the party helped give them insight into the film industry they hope to work in after graduation.

“It’s really nice to have bigger events like this that bring attention to the filmmaking community in the city, especially as it’s getting built up right now,” Webber said. “For this only being the second year

[of the block party,] it’s pretty impressive for what they’re able to put together.”

This is Nugraha’s third year volunteering with CIFF but his first time experiencing the block party. Besides working the booths, interacting with vendors and meeting movie-goers in the theater, Nugraha said CIFF gave him a better understanding and appreciation of film festivals and international movies.

“I feel like being in the [United States], people here only watch Hollywood movies,” Nugraha said. “Then I come here and I get to meet so many people who only watch international movies. It’s really nice being able to interact with those kinds of film people and see their outlooks on different things here and abroad.”

The block party did not give all community members a reason to celebrate. Lakeview resident Meredith Miklasz walked

Lesley Deckard, left, and Mike Mickzel provide Dark

UNA CLEARY | THE DEPAULIA

Living Thing band preforms at the Chicago International Film Festival Block Party. Among food venues, and the red carpet the outdoor venue provides live music for attendees.

past the Music Box Theater on their way to the Southport Jewel Osco, unaware of the celebration taking place. Miklasz said the road closures and sidewalk blockades marking the block party boundaries interrupted their routine trip to the grocery store.

“I’m all here for the arts and film but it’s kind of confusing that there was no signage to warn residents that live in the area,” Miklasz said. “It’s just a question of why here and why now on a Wednesday night when I just want to cook pasta.”

Miklasz said the event seemed interesting but the Lakeview neighborhood might not be the right place to showcase the international element of the festival.

“It’d be cool to bring the arts to a less white, Caucasian and affluent neighborhood,” Miklasz said.

According to a study from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Lakeview neighborhood’s racial makeup is nearly 76% white. The same data set determined that only 33% of Chicago’s entire population is white. “Maybe do it somewhere different that deserves the spotlight and where the community actually needs the money and publicity of such a cool event,” Milklasz said. “Chicago is such an amazingly multicultural city and we have

Focus. The DePaulia. Octt. 16, 2023 | 9

nnual chicago international film festival UNA CLEARY | THE DEPAULIA

e short film take viewers on a inminate exportation of artist Nick Cave’s life.

The Chicago International Film viewing information

UNA CLEARY | THE DEPAULIA

k Matter Coffee at the Chicago International Film Festival Block Party on Oct. 11, 2023. tons of neighborhoods that reflect that internationalism more.” CIFF volunteer Lily Wood said that her second year working the festival allows her to not only watch great movies but also network with industry professionals. Wood is a sophomore at Columbia College majoring in film and said she volunteered for more than 40 hours during last year’s festival. She said seeing more international movies lets her compare filmmaking styles from different countries as she learns from filmmakers that speak at the various screenings.

“The festival has definitely opened my eyes to films in different countries,” Wood said. “It’s fascinating to see how the directors and getting to know their process and how that differs from country to country.”

The festival runs from Oct. 11-22 at various movie theaters across the city, including AMC Newcity, the Gene Siskel Film Center, and the Chicago History Museum. This year’s film lineup boasts screenings of Studio Ghibli’s new movie “The Boy and the Heron,” “Saltburn” from director Emerald Fennell, and “The Bikeriders” with Austin Butler and Tom Hardy.

“I’ve been living in Chicago for six years now and it’s hard to miss the film festival,” Nughara said. “The block party and festival are great ways to meet people from

different parts of the world and to watch different types of movies than what I watch on a regular basis. It’s something new every time.”

When is the Chicago International Film Festival?

October 11-22, 2023

It’s really nice to have bigger events like this that bring attention to the filmmaking community in the city, especially as it’s getting built up right now,”

Festival Venues: AMC NEWCITY 14, Music Box Theatre, Gene Siskel Film Center

Audrey Webber DePaul film major

Find the complete list of 2023 films at the Chicago International Film Festival: UNA CLEARY | THE DEPAULIA

10 | La DePaulia. The DePaulia. 16 de Octubre 2023

La DePaulia

Exposición de arte en Chicago muestra las injusticias ambientales a nivel global JACQUELINE CARDENAS | LA DEPAULIA

Un mural pintado por el artista Joe Nelson dentro de la Chicago Justice Gallery. El mural fue presentado el 11 de octubre como parte de la exposición “Climas de desigualdad: Historias de justicia ambiental.”

Por Samantha Moilanen & Jacqueline Cardenas Editor Jefa Online y Editor Jefa de La DePaulia

Una idea que surgió hace cuatro años llevó a activistas ambientales y académicos a crear una exposición de arte multimedia que presenta historias locales y globales de injusticias climáticas.

Los visitantes se reunieron para la inauguración de “Climas de Desigualdad: Historias de Justicia Ambiental”, una exposición celebrada en el Chicago Justice Gallery. La exposición fue desarrollada por estudiantes de la Universidad de Illinois Chicago (UIC) a través del Humanities Action Lab, una coalición de universidades y organizaciones de justicia ambiental en ciudades de los Estados Unidos, Puerto Rico, Colombia y México.

Al ingresar a la galería, los visitantes se encuentran con paneles informativos que muestran las historias de siete comunidades locales y en el extranjero que se convirtieron en “zonas de sacrificio”, áreas industrializadas no reguladas que provocan daños ambientales y riesgos a largo plazo para los miembros de la comunidad.

Una de las zonas de sacrificio de Chicago se encuentra en La Villita, que quedó cubierta por una densa nube de polvo después de que una antigua planta de carbón de Crawford se derrumbara en el vecindario del lado suroeste en abril de 2020.

Jocelyn Vazquez, una residente nacida en La Vilita y organizadora de servicios comunitarios con la Organización de Justicia Ambiental de Little Village (LVEJO), dijo que las disparidades en la salud entre aquellos que vivían cerca de corredores industriales se hicieron evidentes cuando su comunidad enfrentó un mayor número de muertes por Covid-19.

Muchas personas en su comunidad tampoco tenían “acceso a seguros de salud”, lo que las llevó a ser “las más afectadas”, agregó Vázquez.

Al informar a más personas sobre la injusticia ambiental a través del arte, permite que su comunidad “sane” y les recuerda a las personas que “tienen voz y tienen derecho a compartir sus experiencias” sobre su

vecindario, dijo Vázquez.

Edith Tovar, una organizadora principal de LVEJO que se graduó de UIC, dijo que ver la exhibición fue un “regreso a casa especial”.

“Ver las historias de mis vecinos, es hermoso”, dijo, conteniendo las lágrimas.

Amalia Pallares, vicecanciller de Diversidad, Equidad y Compromiso en la UIC, dijo que espera que la exposición ayude a crear conciencia sobre cómo las cargas ambientales afectan a las comunidades minoritarias.

“Tenemos zonas de sacrificio. No tenemos personas de sacrificio”, dijo Pallares.

La contaminación afecta de manera desproporcionada a las comunidades de los lados sur y oeste, según un resumen acumulativo de impactos comunitarios de 2023 del Departamento de Salud Pública de Chicago (CDPH). La evaluación cita un estudio de 2018 que encontró que los vecindarios del lado sur y oeste enfrentan la mayor exposición a peligros ambientales, como la contaminación del aire y los desechos peligrosos.

La exposición enseñó a los estudiantes que el cambio climático y la contaminación ambiental no son problemas aislados, dijo Pallares.

“Están conectados con la desigualdad laboral y económica, la migración, la salud y la justicia”.

La exposición también presentó Altgeld Gardens, Calumet River, McKinley Park, Pilsen y el lado sureste. Estos vecindarios se encuentran en algunos de los 24 corredores industriales más grandes de Chicago.

Lauren Miranda, quien trabajó como diseñadora de la exposición, dijo que la iniciativa de justicia social busca ilustrar las injusticias climáticas que enfrentan las personas no solo en Chicago, sino en diferentes lugares de todo el mundo.

“Intentamos crear una variedad de escenarios y situaciones diferentes en las que se encuentran las personas en todo el mundo”, dijo Miranda.

Para Essence McDowell, directora de

JACQUELINE CARDENAS | LA DEPAULIA

Essence McDowell, directora de artes y comunicación del Social Justice Initiative, habla en el Chicago Justice Gallery el 11 de octubre de 2023. La exposición fue desarrollada por estudiantes de la Universidad de Illinois Chicago (UIC) a través del Humanities Action Lab. artes y comunicación en la Iniciativa de Justicia Social, la creación de la exposición fue “probablemente uno de los proyectos más desafiantes” que ha emprendido debido a sus lazos personales con las injusticias climáticas. Según ella, su familia actualmente reside en una de las zonas de sacrificio destacadas en el norte de Nueva Jersey.

“Fue una exposición que creo que realmente centró nuestra forma de vida... este planeta y nuestra protección de él”, dijo McDowell.

Mientras McDowell se dirigía a la multitud de estudiantes, activistas y miembros de la comunidad, mencionó un mural colorido ubicado en la parte trasera de la exposición que mostraba un planeta dividido por el vértice de dos de las paredes de la habitación.

“Cuando me paro frente a ese mural, pienso que hay dos formas en que podemos ir con este planeta. Hay una en la que este planeta se destruye y esa destrucción de nuestro planeta nos afecta profundamente y nos obliga a luchar más...”, dijo McDowell, mientras señalaba a los manifestantes pintados contra un fondo humeante. “Y luego

hay otra forma en que nos convertimos en parte del planeta y nos integramos en la naturaleza, en prácticas más saludables”.

La Dra. Rosa Cabrera, directora del Centro Cultural Latino en la UIC, dijo que la exposición centra el cambio climático como un problema de justicia social.

Los creadores de la galería querían reconocer las cargas ambientales históricas enfrentadas por las comunidades minoritarias en Chicago, dijo Cabrera. También querían resaltar cómo los líderes ambientales encuentran soluciones a las desigualdades climáticas.

“Queríamos afirmar el trabajo que esta comunidad dedicada en estas áreas continúa haciendo al luchar contra estas batallas, estableciendo daños ambientales que han estado experimentando históricamente, pero también las soluciones creativas y prácticas que están implementando”, dijo Cabrera.

Jocelyn Vázquez, una organizadora comunitaria de ciencias en LVEJO, dijo que espera que los visitantes salgan de la exposición dándose cuenta de que “tienen el poder de hacer cambios en este mundo”.

La DePaulia. The DePaulia. 9 de Octubre 2023 | 11

JONAH WEBER | LA DEPAULIA

Lena Charles y Rogelio Silva imparten clases de inglés como segundo idioma en Friendship Community Place en Chicago el jueves 12 de octubre. Estas clases ayudan a los migrantes a aprender frases que necesitan para abogar por sí mismos.

Voluntarios de Jefferson Park ofrecen clases de inglés a los migrantes Por Alyssa N. Salcedo Escritora Contribuyente

Una organización comunitaria sin fines de lucro aldel lado noroeste de la ciudad, extendióexpandió sus esfuerzos de ayuda mutua a los migrantes para también ofrecer creando cursos de inglés para los migrantes que han llegado recientemente a la ciudad.recién llegados.

Los miembros de la comunidad de Jefferson Park han estado than trabajadondo para brindar apoyo a los migrantes en Friendship Community Place (FCP) localizada en, 5150 N. Northwest Hwy., en colaboración con la Iglesia Presbiteriana Friendship desde que comenzó a incrementar el número de solicitantes de asilo que llegan a Chicago. , desde que como respuesta al creciente número de migrantes que llegan a Chicago.

La reverenda Shawna Bowman, una de las pastoras de la iglesia que ayuda a dirigir los esfuerzos, dijo que comenzaron a crear cursos de inglés después de que algunos migrantes recientemente expresaron recientemente su interés en aprender inglés.

“Hubo algunas conversaciones sobre la necesidad de una clase de inglés como segundo idioma, específicamente para dar herramientas a las personas para abogar por sí mismas”, dijo Bowman.

Profesionales de diferentes industrias del vecindario son quienes brindan brindan apoyo a sus nuevos vecinos lasal ofrecer clases de inglés y cuidado de niños durante la clase.

Lena Charles, una enfermera local y estudiante del programa de enfermería de DePaul, y Rogelio Silva, un médico local y profesor clínico en la Universidad de Illinois, se han ofrecido como voluntarios para dar clases todos los jueves por la noche a solicitantes de asilo en FCP en su tiempo libre.

“Cada semana tratamos de centrarnos en algo que sea realmente utilizable y funcional, hablando de necesidades, emergencias, como moverse, simplemente inglés básico y funcional para poder desenvolverse un poco en la sociedad estadounidense”, dijo Charles.

Charles repasa los temas que se discutirán cada semana, centrándose a menudo en la pronunciación, frases simples y la formación de frases. También intentan dedicar al menos cinco a diez minutos a material relacionado con la educación cívica de los Estados Unidos.

Cada semana, Charles y Silva impri-

JONAH WEBER | LA DEPAULIA

Migrantes cenando en una comisaría en Jefferson Park, Chicago, al otro lado de la calle de Friendship Community Place el 12 de octubre de 2023. men hojas de trabajo con frases en inglés y español para enseñar a su clase y e. dDicen que han podido proporcionar libros de frases que contienen alrededor de 100 frases básicas en inglés y español.

Además de ofrecer clases de inglés para adultos, los voluntarios en FCP se centran en garantizar el cuidado de niños y actividades para los niños mientras sus padres están en clase.

Fannie Sanchez, una voluntaria en la comunidad y en FCP,, es una de las miembros de la comunidad que brinda cuidado infantil.

“Les ayudamos a cuidar de los niños para que puedan tomar clases de inglés, pero al mismo tiempo, también estamos ordenando ropa, abrigos o lo que sea necesario”, dijo Sánchez. “Así que cuando los niños entran y vemos que necesitan pantalones o zapatos, los tenemos y se los damos”.

Sánchez también presta servicios de traducción y otro tipo de apoyo a los migrantes que esperan en la estación de policía al otro lado de la calle para ser trasladados a un refugio de la ciudad.

Bowman ha estado trabajadotrabajando con el equipo de FCP y otros miembros de la comunidad como Sanchez, para brindar apoyo en lo que pueden, incluido el apoyo legal a los migrantes en la estación.. FCP también ha abierto su espacio de oficina para que los migrantes se reúnan con administradores de casos.

Esto les ayuda a realizar la admisión y acelera su capacidad para obtener permisos de trabajo, según Bowman.

Charles y Silva ocasionalmente brindan consejos o recursos a migrantes que expresan preocupaciones médicas.

El tipo de apoyo que Sánchez brinda a los migrantes varía desde la recopilación de recursos hasta el apoyo moral, dijo. El apoyo moral a los migrantes es importante para establecer la confianza y asegurarse de que sepan “que estamos aquí para ayudar”, agregó Sánchez.

“Están en modo de supervivencia. Están en modo lucha o huida, ¿verdad? Así que ahora tienen que adaptarse a tratar de seguir una estructura en la estación de policía o en un refugio”, dijo Sánchez. “Es difícil para eso... Así que creo que es más

un apoyo para mostrarles que estamos aquí para ayudarlos y que pueden confiar en nosotros”.

María, una migrante que llegó recientemente a Chicago y que optó por no revelar su apellido por temor a represalias, dijo que su viaje fue largo y difícil. Al viajar, María tuvo que tomar un tren para poder llegar a México y solicitar asilo en la frontera.

“Eso es como un vagón, uno se mete ahí para uno poder andar en el tren.

Cuando se te acaba el agua es horrible, se le ponen a uno así como tengo los labios resecos. No hay comida, no hay agua, no queda nada, los niños, uno se enferma, el calor es horrible, uno se sancocha dentro del calor”, dijo Maria. “Ddesde que llegamos aquí…duramos dos meses en la estación de policía.”

Después de dos meses durmiendo en el suelo de la estación de policía, María y su familia finalmente fueron trasladados a un refugio. Pero el refugio, dijo, no es un lugar seguro para ella y sus hijos, así que en su lugar regresa a FCP para las comidas casi todos los jueves.

Arts & Life 12 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023

LIZZIE MILLER | THE DEPAULIA

By Dylan Hackworth Contributing Writer

October is here. While vintage movie theaters spin reel after reel of Bella Lugosi and Boris Karloff, you may find yourself longing for Halloween horrors that are more hands-on. This city has plenty, and one man in particular can help you find them.

Adam Selzer is an author, historian and tour guide who has appeared on numerous paranormal TV shows such as “Haunted History” and “Mysteries at the Museum.” He is also the author of over 20 books, some of which are dedicated to the supernatural.

A long-time collector of comic books and action figures, Selzer considers his passion for finding and sharing stories part of that same instinct.

“I definitely have the collector’s mentality,” Selzer said. “Doing archival research, it activates a similar part of my brain to find all of these stories. To go digging around in the archives. It’s not unlike casting a line into a river to see what comes up.”

Selzer founded Mysterious Chicago Tours, where folks can book in-person and virtual tours to some of Chicago’s most haunted locations.

But beware: some locations have more sinister reputations. One such place is the Congress Hotel.

“If the Congress Hotel isn’t haunted, no place is haunted,” Selzer said, claiming to often hear phantom sounds about the

hotel. “I’ve heard the piano play itself on two non-consecutive occasions.”

Bree Bartman is a Chicago resident and part-time ghost hunter who visited many reputedly haunted places. The Congress Hotel is one of her favorites, and not just because of the phantoms that supposedly roam its halls.

“Not only is it connected to Chicago’s history, the World’s Fair, H.H. Holmes and Al Capone,” Bartman said. “It’s exciting to think that 100 years ago people came to Chicago and stayed at that very place.”

Bartman once spent a night in the Villisca Murder House, where eight people were brutally killed with an ax in June 1912. The killer was never found and has left a mark on the small town of Villisca, Iowa, ever since. The Congress Hotel stands out to Bartman as a place of hauntings and history. Ghost stories are more than just fun thrills for campfires and stormy nights. Believer or not, they are reflections of history and a totem for the darker traits of human nature we often willingly ignore.

Tricia Hermes, a Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse professor, teaches the significance of ghost stories and folklore in her haunted Chicago class.

“There is so much Chicago history in some of these stories,” Hermes said.

“Whether these stories are true or not isn’t that important to me. What is important is what other people believed, and how this changed the city.”

Archer Avenue between the Willowbrook Ballroom and Resurrection Cemetery, so the legend goes, is the stomping

If the Congress Hotel isn’t haunted, no place is haunted.”

Adam Selzer

Author, Historian and Tour Guide ground of Resurrection Mary—the specter of a woman who died on her way to the dance hall in the 1930s.

Believers say on certain nights, the ghost of bank robber John Dillinger can be seen running down the alleyway beside Lincoln Park’s Biograph Theatre, the location where police gunned down Dillinger.

Then, there is the haunting of the Nederlander Theater. Once the site of the Iroquois Theater, it was there in December 1903 when 602 souls perished in the deadliest theater fire in U.S. history. The spirits of which are said to linger there to this day.

“I think those stories are important to know,” Hermes said. “They show the growth and change of Chicago.”

One of Chicago’s most loved tourist attractions is said by some to be one of its most haunted: The Lincoln Park Zoo. In the 19th century, this area was the site of the Chicago City Cemetery. It was closed

in 1859 over concerns that bodies would contaminate the drinking water, given the cemetery’s close proximity to Lake Michigan. While efforts were underway to move the burial, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed most of the remaining gravestones. Locating those still buried became much more difficult, and officials were unable or unwilling to make the effort to find them.

Today, it is estimated that as many as 12,000 bodies could still lie beneath the zoo grounds.

“I think these stories really show socioeconomic class,” Hermes said about the zoo’s history. “Eventually, they just said ‘screw it.’ — What does that say? Who matters? Who doesn’t? — I’d be angry too if I were a dead body. My marker is gone.

My history is gone.”

Interested parties can experience the zoo’s spookier side firsthand as part of the Haunted History Tours at Lincoln Park Zoo, hosted by Selzer every Tuesday and Wednesday night this October.

“Be careful,” Selzer advised. “At a lot of these places, I’m a lot more scared of falling through a rusty floor, or scraping something that will give me gangrene.”

Whether you are a history buff or just looking for that which goes bump in the night, Mysterious Chicago offers options for everyone.

And it isn’t just touring.

This October, throw on your favorite sweater, grab a pumpkin spice latte and explore the scarier side of the city we love.

Just hope nothing follows you home.

Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023 | 13

The Next Generation of Chicago artists

By Grace Vaughn Staff Writer

As Charlique Rolle and Vershawn Sanders-Ward took the stage Monday evening, bright screens displaying the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago logo started to slowly shift. New projections reading Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago replaced the images, marking a new chapter for the 26-year-old organization.

The celebration of Black Arts Month kicked off Oct. 9 at the Black Ensemble Theater with a music set from DJ Diaspora and performances by the cast of “A Taste of Soul” and Red Clay Dance Company. Rolle and Sanders-Ward, newly appointed president and vice president of the African American Arts Alliance, also officially announced the alliance’s rebranding.

“When we think about the intentionality of the name and how it represents the vastness of culture, every Black artist in Chicago doesn’t identify as African American,” Rolle said.

It was essential to Rolle and Sanders-Ward that the organization continued cultivating a space that felt like it was created for all members’ storytelling and artmaking.

“What the alliance was when it was founded is what it needed to be for that period of time and for those artists that were there,” Rolle said. “We get to honor that now but also create a new vision of what is needed for the artists of today.”

Erin Harkey, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, also spoke during the event, touching on the recent attention centered around the state of the city’s theater sector.

A report commissioned by her department earlier this month revealed attendance at shows dropped by 60% since 2019, according to WBEZ. Noting that much of the conversation focused on a more negative narrative, Harkey took a moment to point out some of the more reassuring findings.

“Yes, there are things to be concerned about but there are also some really positive trends in there too that have to do with the health of our small and BIPOC institutions,” Harkey said.

Some of the positives mentioned in her speech included an increase in average staff for small and medium-budget size organizations and a 46% increase in individual contributions for BIPOC organizations, supporting 5% more of their total expenses

GRACE VAUGHN | THE DEPAULIA

Actors from “A Taste of Soul” and Red Clay Dance Company perform at the Black Ensemble Theater on Oct 9, 2023.

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over time.

During a meeting between Mayor Brandon Johnson and theater producers, Harkey recalled leaders within the industry sharing optimistic updates about their organizations.

“The BIPOC arts leaders in the room were saying things like ‘we’re expanding.’

‘I’m building a new arts complex,’ ‘we’ve tripled our budget size,’ ‘I’ve got a waiting list for my performances,’” Harkey said.

Before the night concluded, Rolle and Sanders-Ward opened the conversation to the audience. Attendees shared their personal stories, asked questions, and leaned on one another for support.

Matty Robinson, an actor on HBO Max’s South Side, appreciated the opportunity to hear from others in the space.

“As artists and producers of color, we seem to have some of the same issues of finding local talent, looking for opportunities and trying to find a pathway to better our careers,” Robinson said. “As bittersweet as it felt, I loved seeing everyone connecting and exchanging information after the event.

I hope it continues.”

While planning the kick-off, Rolle hoped the forum would allow her to hear from the community and better understand how to elevate and highlight Black artists across the city.

“We see a lot of that desire for community,” Rolle said. “I think the reminder is that even as we build the future, the past helps us to shape it, and we are not throwing it all away. We are looking to understand, to refine and also to build a space for the next generation.”

Celebrations of Black Arts Month will continue throughout the city in the coming weeks. The Black Arts & Culture Alliance will host the South Side Covening Oct. 16 at Retreat at Currency Exchange Cafe and the West Side Covening Oct. 23 at Muse Coffee Studio.

“This is a space for those to find community but also to find the resources of what it means to be a Chicago artist,” Rolle said.

Visit the alliance’s official website to register for upcoming events and get involved.

14 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023

St.Vincent’s

D E JAMZ “SPINNING FRESH BEATS SINCE 1581”

By Lucia Preziosi News Editor

Happy (almost) Scorpio season to my favorite emotional, mysterious water sign babes! To honor the cozy fall vibes that are upon us and to give my wonderful Scorpio babies a little extra love, I have compiled a combination of girly music for those who are equal parts feeling themselves and impending their seasonal depression. Forget hot girl summer; it’s hot girl fall!

“Angel” by Little Simz Little Simz gets it when she says, “Guess that’s in my nature being a water sign” in her bop from her latest album, “No Thank You.” I recently saw Little Simz at the Riviera after not being that familiar with her music, and it changed my life. This is the perfect song to sway along to as you take the Brown Line downtown for your Loop night class. Simz’s melodic beats and smooth bars provide the perfect mix of emotion and mystery that encapsulates us complicated Scorpio girlies.

“In My Feelings” by Lana Del Ray

Similar to my Little Simz concert experience, seeing Lana at Lollapalooza marked a new era of my life, one where I listen to obscene amounts of her music every day and am increasingly emotional yet confident.

Lana’s unhinged emotions in this song really resonate with what it is like to be a water sign.

If you’re lucky like me and you’re a triple water sign (no, I’m not okay), Lana’s lyrics work for any time of year. But, something about Lana’s prose in “In My Feelings” is the perfect empowerment for the days when you feel like the world is against you and you feel like being particularly dramatic and just a tad crazy on a chilly day to hype yourself up.

“Why Don’t You” by Cleo Sol It’s no secret that Cleo Sol has one of the most beautiful voices in the R&B game right now. “Why Don’t You” is a chill bop with a classic hip-hop beat and beautiful orchestral additions. Don’t be fooled, though, Cleo Sol might sound like she’s singing bars about rainbows and butterflies, but her lyrics will hype you up to stand up for yourself while still being the emotional girlies we can all

Crossword

be sometimes. She will take you through a journey of growing into yourself, which is my personal goal for this Scorpio season.

“Chevy S10” by Sudan Archives Straying away from being emotional and moody, Scorpios also hold a passion and happiness that can’t be ignored. Sudan Archives provides the perfect girly bop, but is not too upbeat, so you can still maintain your mysterious girl status if someone asks you what you’re listening to while walking around campus. “Chevy S10” provides the soundtrack for when you’re really leaning into your more obsessive side this cuffing season. Sudan Archives’ voice, beat and lyrics in this song will make you strut in your perfect fall outfit.

“Yesterday” by Noname Chicago-native rapper Noname, in my humble opinion, has the best bars out of any other rapper in the game. I am willing to debate this, take a listen if you don’t believe me. “Yesterday” from Noname’s debut album Telefone has been engraved in my mind since middle school. I always gravitate more towards Noname’s nostalgic anthem in the

ACROSS

1) Nebraskan city 6) Jungle primates 10) Davenport 14) Group of nine 15) Bus money 16) Parts of history 17) Three magic things 20) Word before a maiden name 21) “ ... and make it fast!”

22) Superdome team 23) Deep cavity 25) They’re under the table 26) Completely fill 28) Bad news from carmakers 32) Dodge successfully 34) Johnny Cash’s “_ Named Sue” 35) After-school grp.

38) Two magic

things 42) Planning center?

43) “Yup” opposite 44) Old caulking material 45) Thing tugged by a tyke 48) Infamous fiddler 49) Yarn lump 51) Low point 53) Metal fastener 55) Remove, as a rind 56) Org. involved with many touchdowns 59) Three magic things 62) Insistent impulse 63) Crime boss 64) Russian country house 65) Bouncy gait 66) Try, as a case 67) Luster

COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

colder months, when I am feeling particularly reminiscent of my childhood autumn. Her bars and a melodic, soulful chorus will make your heart ache in the way only a good song can. Also, make sure to snag tickets for her tour, she’ll be at the Vic Nov. 24.

DOWN

1) “Do not take_ empty stomach” 2) “Encore!”

3) Long-snouted formicary consumers 4) “For_ a jolly ... “ 5) Cornered 6) Burning 7) Insect’s sense organ 8) “ ..._ he drove out of sight” 9) Mounts, as a gem 10) Any weekly TV show 11) Round sealing gasket 12) Truisms 13) Emulates a quizmaster 18) Khrushchev’s country 19) Fox-hunter’s cry 24) Road shoulder 26) Call at home?

27) Bard of_ (Shakespeare’s title) 29) Ship of the desert

30)_ Dhabi (Persian Gulf sheikdom) 31) “Angeles” header 33) Like pianos and car engines 35) Bluff concealer 36)_ de force 37) Armory supply, briefly 39) Chaney Jr. or Sr. of old horror films 40) Befitting 41) Indian princess 45) Marionette kin 46) Fill with affection 47) Clothing 49) Beatie Ringo 50) Key_, Florida 52) Accomplishments 53) Rabbit’s tail 54) Carve in stone 55) Insect stage 57) Advil target 58)_ impasse (stymied) 60) Scottish denial 61) “Go team!”

Sports. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023 | 15

Red Stars purchased by dynamic ownership group

By Christian Maysonet Contributing Writer

Women’s soccer grew exponentially this year, especially with the success of the recent Women’s World Cup. During the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Women’s World Cup in July, the U.S. women’s national team had 6.4 million domestic viewers during a match against the Netherlands.

It was the most-watched English-language group stage match in Women’s World Cup history.

Megan Rapinoe, forward for the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) OL Reign, was honored in her final Women’s National Team game Sept. 24. as the U.S. women faced off against the Republic of South Africa in a friendly match. Rapinoe, one of the few remaining legends from the National Team’s last World Cup championship, is one of four U.S. women ever to make 200 career caps.

Women’s soccer is also gaining momentum on Chicago’s South Side, including at the ownership level.

The Chicago Red Stars, Chicago’s team in the NWSL, was purchased by one of the most diverse and woman-led ownership groups in professional sports. That group is led by executive Laura Ricketts, a minority owner of the Chicago Sky and a member of the Ricketts family that owns the Chicago Cubs.

Sarah Spain, a Red Stars minority owner and ESPN contributor, said fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about what’s to come for the team in the new regime.

“The players and fans of the Red Stars deserve an ownership group that can keep up with the financial demands of the new-look NWSL,” Spain said. “Teams across the country are investing major dollars in practice facilities, high-level coaches and GMs and world-class talent.”

The current state of soccer in the women’s league is steadily dynamic.

“The new ownership group is financially capable of keeping up,” Spain said. “The ties

to the Cubs offer up exciting opportunities for cross-promotion and I’m certain Laura Ricketts’ experience running a sports team in this market will prove useful.”

The idea of inclusion in sports is important for DePaul sophomore Ashley Villa.

“Chicago having a professional women’s soccer team owned by women means to me that they are taking soccer seriously,” Villa said. “They aren’t playing around but are trying to be competitive, and they are working hard in becoming the best soccer team they can be. I’m more likely to go and see them.”

The Red Stars also continue to sponsor and promote after-school programs with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago in conjunction with their Red Stars Camp Team, a community outreach group formed by the club.

The program strives to provide structured after-school curriculum and equipment for sports activities.

The Red Stars are trying to bring more girls and young women into the sport and provide role models on and off the pitch.

“From a community perspective, we meet with a lot of young girls who don’t think sports are for them,” said Noelle Schmitt, the Red Stars director of community relations.

“They think it’s a boy’s sport, especially soccer, and that they don’t really have a place in it. I think this is really going to change a lot of minds.”

Though Chicago is a crowded sports and entertainment marketplace, Spain sees an opportunity for “tremendous growth” in women’s soccer.

“The audience is there,” Spain said.

With new ownership in charge of the Red Stars, it has been all business from day one.

“Building a championship culture begins with treating our players with the respect they deserve as women and athletes,” Ricketts said in a statement. “There is unprecedented fan growth in women’s soccer globally, and we want to be part of building on that momentum here in Chicago.”

DAN BARTEL | IMAGN

Chicago Red Stars Cari Roccaro possesses the ball during a Sept. 17 game against Angel City FC in Bridgeview, Illinois.

DAN BARTEL | IMAGN

Yuki Nagasato approaches the ball in the Red Star’s Sept. 17 game in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Laura Ricketts gained majority ownership of the Chicago Red Stars this summer.

Sports

Sports. The DePaulia. Oct. 16, 2023 | 16

Charlece Ohiaeri fights two Iowa players for the ball in an outdoor charity basketball game in Iowa City on Sunday, October 15, 2023.

DONALD CROCKER | THE DEPAULIA

IOWA, from front page

By Ryan Hinske & Vanessa Lopez Sports Editor & Social Media Editor

DePaul University’s women’s basketball team commenced its 50th season by participating in a charity exhibition game against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, breaking the all-time women’s basketball attendance record with 55,646 attendees.

Kinnick Stadium erupted with tens of thousands of screams and roars at the Oct. 15 game in Iowa City. All net proceeds from the game were donated to Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which received $250,000.

The “Crossover at Kinnick” exhibition game broke the previous women’s NCAA college basketball attendance record of 29,619 from the 2002 national title game between Connecticut and Oklahoma at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

Iowa’s basketball teams normally play at Carver-Hawkeye Arena which seats 15,400 people, but the teams played at the Kinnick, which seats 69,250 people and is home to Iowa’s football team.

The attendance record comes in a year that has had several high-profile moments for women’s sports, including Spain’s win over England in the Women’s World Cup in Australia this summer. A collegiate women’s volleyball game in Nebraska in August also broke the attendance record for any women’s sporting event with 92,003 attendees.

Sunday’s exhibition in Iowa was the first outdoor women’s basketball game ever played in a football stadium, introducing outdoor factors such as wind and sunlight.

At one point in the game, a gust carried a shot from Iowa’s senior superstar Caitlin Clark away from the basket and off the court, causing her to laugh.

Anaya Peoples, a DePaul graduate guard, said she gained a new appreciation for outdoor sports after playing through the first half facing the sunlight.

Coach Bluder and I never got together and said, ‘Let’s play the same way,’ but that’s how this kind of emerged over the years.”

Doug Bruno

DePaul head coach “I took a shot that I didn’t know if I made or not, but we’ve talked about turning adversity into a positive,” Peoples said after the game.

DePaul head coach Doug Bruno said the teams had an intense scrimmage last year without cameras. That’s when he and Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder agreed this match had to be played “in front of somebody next year.”

Bluder and Bruno have both been in charge of their respective programs for over 20 years.

“Both of our programs play very similar styles of basketball,” Bruno said. “Coach Bluder and I never got together and said, ‘Let’s play the same way,’ but that’s how this kind of emerged over the years.”

Iowa is coming off an NCAA Championship appearance where Clark established herself as one of the most recognizable figures in women’s basketball. She was recognized at the game for winning the ESPY Award for Best College Athlete in Women’s Sports in July.

Iowa won the exhibition game 94-72.

Clark finished with a triple-double: 34 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in only 33 minutes.

DePaul sophomore Maeve McErlane had 14 points, including four 3-point makes to go along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

“They have one of the best players in the country, if not the best player in the country,” Bruno said. “And so we did have our hands full.”

DONALD CROCKER | THE DEPAULIA

Iowa superstar senior Caitlin Clark celebrates at the DePaul-Iowa game Sunday, Oct. 15, after making a shot from well beyond the 3-point line.

Though this was an “event,” as Bruno put it, which meant that it had no bearing on DePaul’s winning percentage, he also emphasized that his team did not “lose the concept of competition.” DePaul responded swiftly after falling behind in the fourth quarter, going on a 15-0 run to close the gap with five minutes left, despite the loss.

“It’s a once in a lifetime moment, but I’m also trying to compete,” Peoples said. “We looked at each other and said, ‘We’re gonna win this quarter. We’re gonna show them who we are.’”

The Blue Demons have eight newcomers, who saw this as a chance to learn how to play with each other.

“I’m excited about this team,” Peoples said. “It was so encouraging to see us keep fighting and trust each other.”

Graduate guard and recent transfer from Michigan, Michelle Sidor, attempted to put the atmosphere of Kinnick Stadium into words.

“I think it was amazing. ... This is women’s basketball too,” Sidor said. “When I was walking out, I was taking it in. ... It was awesome.”

Bruno said his team relishes the opportunity to play for something bigger than basketball.

“Anyone who has ever watched an Iowa football game knows that Stead Family Children’s Hospital overlooks the stadium, and the ability to raise money for these children who have needs is just an awesome opportunity for our players,” Bruno said in a statement last week.

Peoples said she went to an Iowa football game in high school and witnessed the moment when fans waved to the children in the hospital, which she described as one of this game’s most enduring moments.

“It was kind of emotional during the game,” Peoples said. “It’s for people who can’t play. It’s for people who wish they could be out there on the court. … It makes you work harder.”

The Blue Demons begin their season at Wintrust Arena where they will host Western Michigan on Nov. 6.