Headlines

The Rise of American Autocracy: Lessons from North Korea’s Kim Dynasty about how dictators keep control

With his unpredictable political strategies, contentious policies, and efforts to centralize power, Donald Trump has been a highly polarizing figure in American politics. His style and tactics have...

Scripture as a weapon: How the Confederacy’s biblical justification of oppression still echoes today

The twisted interpretation of Christianity by pro-slavery advocates in the Confederacy is one of the most troubling and insidious chapters in American history. To defend the indefensible institution...

1000 Days of Defiance: Ukraine’s continued fight for survival and the looming impact of Trump’s return

November 20, 2024, marks the tragic milestone of the 1,000th day since Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The brutal assault, intended to topple Ukraine’s government within days,...

From Republic to Empire: How Rome’s fall foreshadows the future of American Democracy under Trump

As the United States of America continues to experience internal challenges, a historical parallel with ancient Rome, where democracy gave way to autocracy, seems more relevant after the re-election...

Edward Morgan: Exploring Baku’s history and modern challenges through a unique summer camp experience

A seasoned theatre director, educator, and playwright, Edward Morgan has spent many years living and working in Milwaukee, a city he fondly regards as his creative home. Known for his engaging...

Edward Morgan: Creating connections to foster cultural exchanges for young minds in Azerbaijan

Edward Morgan found inspiration in an unexpected meeting with Matt Schultz to create a free summer youth camp in the Qusar District of Azerbaijan. The two embarked on a plan to make a difference in...

COP29 in Baku: A high-stakes climate summit begins amid controversies and conflicting agendas

As world leaders and climate experts converge on Baku for the COP29 climate conference, an unmistakable contradiction lingers in the air, both figuratively and literally. Baku, the Azerbaijani...

Undoing superstition of chronology: Simone Weil’s words remind us that progress is not always linear

“We must undo the superstition of chronology (‘progressivism’) in order to find eternity.” – Simone Weil, philosopher During this turbulent moment for American democracy, Simone Weil’s words...

Dark future: Americans abandon U.S. Constitution with decision to elect a self-declared dictator

As final votes are counted in the 2024 presidential election, signs indicate that convicted felon Donald Trump is on the brink of winning re-election. If confirmed, the outcome will represent a...

The missing voices of courage: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, faith leaders, and the toxic legacy of MAGA politics

As America stands on the other side of yet another pivotal election, many look around, wondering why faith leaders were hesitant to confront the lingering influences of the toxic MAGA movement....

A champion for social justice: Milwaukee mourns the loss of Alderman Jonathan Brostoff at age 41

Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, a dedicated public servant and steadfast advocate for Milwaukee, passed away on November 4, 2024, at the age of 41. Born on September 25, 1983, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,...

Milwaukee County prepares for delays in early vote counting on election night due to GOP restrictions

As the nation turns its attention to Wisconsin for one of the most anticipated elections in recent history, Milwaukee County leaders have unified in an urgent appeal for residents to turn out and...

Educational mobile app with walking tours about Milwaukee’s LGBTQ history to debut at PrideFest

by Staff | May 25, 2022 | Articles, Featured

While “Don’t Say Gay” legislation continues to circulate in 16 states, a group of local activists, educators and historians have taken action to connect Wisconsin with its diverse LGBTQ heritage. LGBT MilWALKee, a mobile app offering guided, interactive, and...

Members of legendary band U2 perform solidarity concert in Kyiv metro before visiting Irpin and Bucha

by Correspondent | May 20, 2022 | Articles, Featured, Ukraine

“Today in Irpin we received guests from Ireland. Paul Hudson, Bono, and The Edge – soloist and guitarist for the legendary U2 band, came by with words of support and an offer of help. Discussed the possibility of holding charity concerts of the band to...

Ukrainian designer proposes refugee memorial at site of iconic Irpin bridge destroyed to stop Russian attack

by Staff | May 20, 2022 | Articles, Ukraine

One of the most iconic images from the start of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine shows refugees huddled under a destroyed bridge next the Irpin River, at the edge of Milwaukee’s sister city Irpin. A Ukrainian designer recently presented plans to preserve the...

Gigantic mural honoring Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo unveiled at community celebration

by Staff | May 15, 2022 | Articles

Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 revealed the finished building-sized mural on May 12 by artist Mauricio Ramirez, created as a tribute to the legendary player Giannis Antetokounmpo for his commitment to the city as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. The...

Mauricio Ramirez: Covering a downtown building with a photorealistic mural of Giannis Antetokounmpo

by Claudio Martinez | May 15, 2022 | Articles

On the basketball court, Giannis Antetokounmpo stands at 6’11” tall. He is a dominating presence even in the National Basketball Association. But an even larger presence of the two-time MVP and NBA champ looms over anyone walking past the office building...

Milwaukee Independent honored with 8 top awards from Milwaukee Press Club for 2021 journalism work

by Editor | May 7, 2022 | Articles, Awards, Featured

The Milwaukee Independent earned eight distinctions on May 6 from the Milwaukee Press Club for Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism, during the virtual ceremony of its 2022 Gridiron Awards. The journalism honors follow four consecutive years of double digit recognition...

Milwaukee expands access to affordable housing on Near West Side with project-based vouchers

by Correspondent | May 3, 2022 | Articles, Featured

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) announced on April 26 that it was allocating 149 project-based vouchers to housing development projects located within the geographic footprint of Milwaukee’s Near West Side. The vouchers would provide place-based...

Memorial bench unveiled at Red Arrow Park to honor Dontre Hamilton and support care for mental health

by Staff | May 2, 2022 | Articles, Featured

The Dontre Hamilton Memorial Bench was unveiled to the public on “Dontre Day,” the annual event that honors him, at Red Arrow Park where it was installed at the site of his death. The Hamilton family joined with members of the public on April 30 to...

Uplifting veterans of color: County Executive David Crowley volunteers as guardian for 61st Honor Flight

by Editor | Apr 29, 2022 | Articles

County Executive David Crowley joined 112 local veterans taking part in the “We Energies Stars and Stripes Honor Flight” that took off on April 23. County Executive Crowley served as a guardian assigned to U.S. Navy veteran Walter Triplett, and ensure that he had a...

Alderman José G. Pérez unanimously chosen as Milwaukee’s first Hispanic Common Council President

by Staff | Apr 22, 2022 | Articles, Featured, Ukraine

Members of the Milwaukee Common Council voted unanimously on April 19 for electing Alderman José G. Pérez of the 12th District to serve as their next leader, making him the first Hispanic Common Council President in the city’s history. As the only council member...

Marcelia Nicholson unanimously re-elected as Chairwoman of Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors

by Editor | Apr 19, 2022 | Articles, Featured

Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson was unanimously re-elected to lead the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors for the 2022-2024 term on April 18. During a hybrid session, where some Supervisors attended in-person and others were sworn in virtually, Chairwoman Nicholson...

County Supervisor Peter Burgelis introduces resolution supporting the people of Ukraine

by Staff | Apr 19, 2022 | Articles, Ukraine

After being sworn in on April 18, newly-elected County Supervisor Peter Burgelis introduced his first piece of legislation. The resolution supports the Ukrainian people and condemns the unprovoked aggression and war crimes committed by Russian Federation soldiers in...