Justin Mashouf, an Iranian American breakdancer and film maker had his debut film, “Warring Factions” shown at Salaam Film Festival last week. The festival was hosted by IMAN, Inner City Muslim Action Network, a community based non-profit that works towards social justice, providing direct service and cultivating the arts in urban communities. The film festival featured eight films portraying the complex and diverse stories of Muslim communities.
The film “Warring Factions” is the story of Mashouf’s experience as an American born Iranian b-boy and how he confronts issues of dual citizenship from countries in conflict as he makes his way to Iran and simultaneously exploring his cultural identity with Iranian b-boys.
After the film screened at U of C, I spoke with director, writer, and producer Justin Mashouf about his film “Warring Factions.”
Chicago Public Schools are taking a major hit in light of recent budget cuts. Schools are now facing the elimination of teachers, sophomore sports and school materials.
At the same time CPS closed a $475 million deficit for 2010, Ron Huberman, the CEO of CPS awarded himself a $300000 yearly pay increase as well as giving his administrative staff raises. Outlined in the budget, the top officials in each of the 53 departments within CPS, as well as many of their assistants, are the received raises this year.
According to Chicago Reader, at a May 11 press conference Huberman said he has drastically cut the central office payroll. “In the administrative ranks we’ve reduced or eliminated over 50 positions that make over $100,000, all to tighten our belts internally,” said Huberman.
There is yet to be any supporting documentation that backs up Huberman’s claims.
Various Chicago public schools affected by budget cuts:
In the late summer of 2009, Lincoln Park was the location of seven muggings. All of the victims were men in their 20′s, walking alone, and were confronted from behind by 1-4 attackers, also in their 20′s.
Chicago Police found that five of the seven muggings were linked and believe that the remaining two were related.
The victims were asked for their wallets, then savagely beaten in the head and face. Two of the victims were hospitalized.
No arrests were made as of March 31, 2009 for the attacks.
Lincoln Park is home to DePaul University which informs students of the latest crime activity on campus. The campus is equppied with emergency stations and students are reminded to be aware of their surroundings and not walk alone, according to the Public Safety Department of DePaul.
The Chicago Police Department also provides general residents of Lincoln Park with annual crime rate reports.
Andrew Huff, founder of Gapers Block, the Chicago-centric web publication, visited journalism students at DePaul on Wednesday, giving them an inside look at the world of blogging and the tools used for building a career in online journalism.
AndrewHuff (Photo by Mike Reilley)
Huff explained how Gapers Block was created by volunteering writers who helped create the publication. While grudgingly working as a PR agent for a day job, Huff developed his hobby of blogging, with the help of fellow bloggers and designers, transforming his true passion into a full time career.
Gapers Block focuses on news and information about events going on in Chicago. Huff hopes it serves as a way for Chicagoans to slow down and observe what’s going on around them. The publication offers art, music, food, and politics sections as well as a book club section which is the first one that was created. Like Huff, the writers behind Gapers Block find comfort and satisfaction in contributing to their passions while holding uninspiring day jobs.
Huff talking about Gapers Block (Video by Mike Reilley)
The need for hyper-localized reporting is behind the growing industry of online journalism, Huff told students. Freelancing is available to budding writers and although the positions aren’t paid, Huff explained that free movies and free tickets are guaranteed perks.
Huff talking about opportunities at Gapers Block (Video by Mike Reilley)
Gapers Block has received reputable recognition in the Chicago Tribune and gained a $35,000 grant from Chicago Community Trust for local reporting, Huff said. After encouraging students to submit pieces and reminding them that links to the entire online community as a whole is what produces high readership, he left them with this ideology: “Write what you know, link to the rest.” This idea was created by Harvard University’s Nieman Journalism Lab, concerning the future of journalism.
Huff is currently working on numerous projects besides Gapers Block, including 1954 , a web site about journal entries Huff wrote in 1993 in a datebook from 1954.
I am an undergraduate student at DePaul University studying journalism in the College of Communication. Welcome to my blog where I'll let you know what's new in Chicago.
