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    here’s why Chicago is reopening way too fast

    COVID-19 cases are rising in the U.S. once again, while Europe continues to decline according to Our World in Data:  [visualizer id=”359″]  This is just plain depressing. Why is the U.S. unable to comply and work together to get rid of this virus? That’s a question for another day. Yesterday, June 24th, the U.S. had the highest number of new COVID-19 cases, making it a new national record. And that’s without every state reopening. It’s only a matter of time before Illinois relapses, and it will happen: but when? On Friday, Phase Four will go into effect. What does this mean? People can have gatherings of 50 people instead of…

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    how experiencing other cultures changed me

    I grew up in the rural Ohio countryside where the nearest store was at least thirty minutes away and I was surrounded by five acres of woods. Living in my small 600 sq. ft. home, there were only a family of other Caucasians living across the road. Everyone at my elementary school was also Caucasian except for the one or two African American and Asian kids, but for the most part I had no experience with any other culture other than my own – white. My parents, uncultured, didn’t have anything to contribute to this obvious challenge. Therefore, until I went to college, I had the same image of the…

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    an empty Chicago – what’s the norm?

    It’s Friday night. On a normal day, Chicago would be bustling with activity. On a normal day, partygoers and club enthusiasts line up outside the bars and clubs, the girls wearing too-short dresses and skirts huddling for warmth while men group together to take a shot from their hidden flask. On a normal day, cars would be honking and cursing at each other trying to get through the impossible Friday night traffic. On a normal day, music would pound from each streetcorner, whether it be from the clubs or from a party at someone’s home. On a normal day, some may be waiting outside for a table at their favorite…