Recent coverage of the Congo Square Theatre Company situation reveals a strange,board-driven threat to a national theatrical treasure. I’m biased as a former board member and long-time supporter. However, there is a reason that the late August Wilson chose this ensemble to be the leading company to carry on his legacy and why so many ensemble members are bright lights in theater, television and film.
The ensemble is committed and passionate about its legacy and excellence and embodies the artist’s vision. A board’s role is to be a financial steward to make that vision possible. I am incredibly disappointed that it seems some board leadership have gone off track and that the ensemble members’ efforts to resolve differences with sensitivity and discretion were ignored. Having served as a board member or chair for organizations from Kartemquin Films to Illinois Humanities, I have never seen such detrimental and untimely actions.
Nonprofit boards are essential, and these volunteers can make a huge difference. Unfortunately, a strong personality can derail the collective good. I hope wiser heads will prevail to ensure this organization continues and thrives. Now more than ever, Congo Square’s deep experience, unflinching honesty on history and unapologetically Black artistic perspective are vital.
Sylvia Ewing, former board member
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City Council, say goodbye to fur
The legislation to ban the sale of new fur in Chicago was introduced in July 2023. It’s taken more than a year and a half to get a hearing, but it now heads to the full City Council on Wednesday for a discussion and vote.
However, I was dismayed to see the Sun-Times cover this humane measure by dedicating their entire article to job loss and business closures, and not once mentioning the dangers and how fur farming could cause the next pandemic, according to scientists.
Packing thousands of wild animals into filthy, unsanitary, dark sheds is a recipe for disaster, and multiple science journals and news articles have sounded the alarm.
Nobody wants anyone to lose their business or job. However, as our city and our world progress, some professions must adapt to change. Coal mining and steel mill jobs are just a couple of examples of occupations that are disappearing due to inhumane or dangerous conditions or environmental and health hazards.
The Sun-Times article barely touched on the animal welfare issue. The fur industry is built on suffering. There is no other way around it. In order to create a fur coat, scarf, or even fur trim, animals must be skinned. Beautiful, wild animals are born into a world of agony and endure captivity in unforgiving conditions only to be anally electrocuted or gassed for their pelts.
There are multiple ways shop owners could transform their business model, plus synthetic alternatives are warmer, and there is no taking of life.
On behalf of the Chicago Alliance for Animals’ more than 3000 members and millions of compassionate people worldwide, I’m urging Chicago’s alderpersons to vote “yes” on this common-sense measure that will protect people, animals and the environment.
Jodie Wiederkehr, founder, Chicago Alliance for Animals, West Rogers Park
MACA: Make America Classy Again
Speaking as an American and not as a member of either political party, I think we are all on board with rooting out waste and inefficiency in government. Who wouldn’t be for that?
What I am not okay with is the delight that the president and his henchmen extol about firing people from their jobs with no advance warning. I know Donald Trump made his bones on a TV show where his tag line was about firing someone, but this is real life. These are fellow Americans who have rent payments, food bills and children. Can we put down the chainsaw and tone down the rhetoric and glee in firing decent people?
If you want respect, you have to give respect to others. I would like to see the country become classy again.
Steven Fortuna, Naperville