by hanhayes | Mar 7, 2020 | Uncategorized
Irony is not the right word, but it’s what crosses my mind as Bianca, a seven-year old Honduran child dressed head-to-toe in varying shades of pink, throws herself joyfully into my arms. She and her family had been in the legal clinic two days before when I was...
by hanhayes | Mar 1, 2020 | Uncategorized
El Chaparral Crossing into Tijuana is simple enough if you’re American. You fill out the customs form and show your passport. Any bags go through the x-ray machine but there’s no frisking or going through metal detectors. Airports are much more difficult; then again,...
by hanhayes | Feb 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
(This was originally posted March 2, 2019) Since Trump was elected over two years ago, we’ve witnessed an unflinching attack against people of color and especially immigrants. But when the travel ban was implemented with no warning, thousands flocked to airports to...
by hanhayes | Jan 10, 2019 | Uncategorized
Since my state representative (elected last November) has accepted an appointment in the new governor’s administration, it occurred to me that all three of my local representatives were appointed shortly after an election. So why did I bother to vote? I...
by hanhayes | Aug 23, 2017 | Politics
According to Annie Dillard a partial eclipse bears almost no relation to a total eclipse; rather it is like the difference between kissing someone and marrying him. I didn’t quite get the analogy until I experienced one myself, and since then I’ve decided everyone...
by hanhayes | Apr 29, 2014 | Uncategorized
Over 500 people have been shot in Chicago in just four months. My teenage son casually commented that they are picking up fast these past few weeks. Last night a 14-year-old girl shot another 14-year-old girl over a boy. When the summer comes, I’m grateful that...
by hanhayes | Jul 31, 2013 | Chicago News, Education
At a recent family picnic, an elderly uncle growled at me for wearing a “radical political” t-shirt. My shirt has the popular internet meme “Every Chicago Public School is My School,” which accurately captured the groundswell of anger at Rahm...
by hanhayes | Jun 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
Last week I was a guest blogger for the Christian Science Monitor’s column Modern Parenthood. The photo they ran of the President includes my nieces, nephew, son, and husband (see below).
by hanhayes | May 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
Last week as some 60 parents, students, teachers, and community activists from Manierre School on the near north side embarked on the third “Walk the Walk” protest against school closings, organizer Sherise McDaniel called out, “Is Mayor Emanuel...
by admin | Apr 17, 2013 | Education
This week The Nation took the struggle to keep Canter Leadership Academy open nationwide. While it’s a great boost for the community fighting to keep it open, it also should heighten the debate about public education and corporate school reform. As I pointed out...
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